Paris is by and large a safe place , but as with any tourist destination, you'll find that there are a variety of people trying to take advantage of lost or confused tourists. In general be aware of your possessions, pickpocketing is fairly common if you're not careful. Keep your wallets in your front pocket, be aware of your surroundings and don't be distracted in crowded areas.
On the metro, keep your bags in front of your body so thieves can't cut open the back or open unlocked compartments without you seeing. Don't use expensive phones near the door, or you run the risk of a thief grabbing it just as the doors close and running away with you looking helplessly from the other side.
Some specific scams to be aware of are below, these have been reported widely by many tourists and can easily be avoided if you follow our instructions below and use your common sense.
Fake Police Scam
This usually starts with someone approaching you asking for directions. As you talk to them, a couple of men in plain clothes run up to you and quickly flash a badge that says "Police". These badges are typically hidden behind a mesh netting so that you only get a superficial look at them before they put them away. They will then ask if you exchanged any money with the person who asked you for directions. They will then ask for your ID, and your wallet saying they want to check to make sure that you didn't exchange any money. Do not give them your wallet. Their objective is to either run away with your wallet, or to pocket the money inside while the other person distracts you.
Your first step should be to say you do not feel safe there and walk to a store front or a restaurant with other people. Ask the store owner to call the police, and these gentlemen should slink away like the rats they are.
Lost ring scam
This begins with the scammer dropping fake gold rings around popular tourist areas. When you pick one up, they will run up and intimidate you into exchanging money for the ring. You'll be out several euros for a cheap ring. There are several ways out of this. Either firmly say "no", throw the ring away and walk away, or even better, don't pick up suspicious objects.
Friendship bracelets
This is most common at the steps leading up to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. A man will approach you and ask you to allow him to tie a string (called a friendship bracelet) around your wrist. If you allow him, once he ties it on he will insist on 20 or more euros for the bracelet. This is an easy one to avoid. Just say a firm "non" when they ask you, and walk on without letting them tie the string on your wrist.
Rose for the lady
The simplest scam is when the scammer runs up and offers the women in the party a rose. If they accept, the scammer will aggressively insist on a payment and not take the rose back. This is another simple one to avoid, just don't accept gifts from random people.
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