What are the latest thief scams in France?

[bif]

My daughter is going there in a couple days. What should she watch out for in the way of rip-offs and robberies?

[bif]

1. kick

My daughter's going there in a couple days and I was wondering if there's anything she should look out for--like pickpockets, etc.

[IChing]

6. Where in France? here are some tips

1.Be sure she gets a USA is #1 t-shirt at least two so she can wear one all the time
2. speaks loud in public places in an American voice
3. demands to use $ at all businesses
4. Asks where all the nearest McDonalds are in France
5. demand that they speak Amerikan to her.
6. complain about their funny money
7. mention how the US saved their ass
8. say that Michigan wine is superior to French or California wines
9. Tell the French that Paris looks like Disney world but real
10. Say how much you admire the German culture.


No really ,if she does the opposites she will be fine
Speaking French at least trying in all transactions is good, say hello, goodbye.
pickpockets and purses just be conscious, backpack on both shoulders
dress like the french, don't stand out like a tourist,

don't speak loud even in a group unless it's in french
enjoy the culture, she will love it.

[radwriter0555]

2. What are you talking about?

Thief scams? Rip offs?

France is safe as kittens. Just employ common sense.

[bif]

3. Really?

My father -in-law was on the Metro in Paris and some guys pulled a fast onee on him. They dropped a map in front of him and he helped them pick it up. Some guy bumped him from behind and they stole hiis wallet.

[amazona]

9. yeah men are getting scammed/pickpocketed in the metro by the tons

I don't know what it is. Too many older men are too proud to wear a concealed money belt, or they think because they are larger that no one will target them. No one targeted me, a petite female, in Paris. But I heard lots of stories of older men being targeted.

The young lady will no doubt be fine because she will be used to watching for muggers, since you don't survive in the U.S. being female if you're not bad guy aware, but it's the men who need to be a little more careful or their wallets will go bye-bye.

[SmokingJacket]

4. I don't know about France, but...

This is a great site on street scams in Barcelona:

http://www.jones.tc/barna/scams.html

I'm sure scammers get around. It's interesting reading, anyway. (Never believe anyone who wants to wipe mustard off your backpack!)

[supernova]

5. The same things that go on here

I don't recall anything saying that France is a pickpocket/scam artist haven.

Just use common sense:

* Keep your $$, credit cards, and passport close to your body. A money belt worn inside your clothing is a good idea. And only get out what you need for any particular outing.

* Dress native, i.e. don't look like a tourist. Jeans and a shirt or a simple dress will do, and nice walking shoes.

* Keep your wits about you, be aware of your surroundings. People get their stuff snatched when they are distracted.

*If you're carrying a laptop, just remember to keep it with you at the airport. put it on the belt at the very last second before you go through the metal dector and keep your eyes peeled for it when it comes out of the x-ray. Thousands of laptops have been stolen at airports because thieves distract you at the end and take off with it.

* Have fun!

BTW, all this stuff applies to any big american city too.

[IChing]

7. Get a good tour book- highly reccommended is Rick Steves

He knows all the great places and out of the way places, has wonderful tips for;
food, how to dress, what to pack, how to act, what to look out for.

[amazona]

8. oK on the metro or on the street

If someone tells you to look down or you dropped something, don't look down and move away from them as quickly as possible. While you're looking down, they push your head down -- well, they pushed my friend all the way down on the ground and he's about 300 pounds -- and a helper grabs the wallet in back and runs.

Don't carry passport or more money than you will need that day in a wallet or purse. Keep that stuff in a money belt under your clothes or in your safe at your hotel. Never go into a money belt in public. You should adjust it so it fits smoothly and fits without showing an outline under your clothing.

There are muggers and pickpockets everywhere. The same precautions you would (I hope!) take in Vegas when carrying money are applicable to Paris.

There are also dudes outside the Sacre Coeur who want to wrap a string around your finger "as a sign of friendship." Run for your life, you won't get your finger back until you pay. I saw several stupid tourists well tangled up by scammers.