Any scams to watch out for in Rome & Florence?
May 31st, 2011, 06:50 AM
#1
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Any scams to watch out for in Rome & Florence?
This forum was so helpful when I went to Paris: we were approached at the Eiffel tower by you girl holding out printed paper for us to "read" to her...We said No, No and walked away..Also near our hotel a young man called to us "did we drop a ring" ? and holding out a gold band. these two incidents were just as described on Fodors...
Now , my brother and wife are going to Rome and Florence...They are both experienced travelers but only in the US..His wife is a primary school teacher, so could be a "mark" for anything related to children...My brother a camera expert but i don't think he would fall for the old "let me take a picture of you with your camera'" and then run off...
Any info appreciated.
Now , my brother and wife are going to Rome and Florence...They are both experienced travelers but only in the US..His wife is a primary school teacher, so could be a "mark" for anything related to children...My brother a camera expert but i don't think he would fall for the old "let me take a picture of you with your camera'" and then run off...
Any info appreciated.
May 31st, 2011, 08:51 AM
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In Rome we semi fell for a scam.
A man in a car asked if we were English and asked for directions. He then did the bit about how he loved England etc.
That got our antennae going. Of course he was a traveller in leather goods. At that point, we burst out laughing
A man in a car asked if we were English and asked for directions. He then did the bit about how he loved England etc.
That got our antennae going. Of course he was a traveller in leather goods. At that point, we burst out laughing
May 31st, 2011, 08:54 AM
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I'd read all the threads about scams in Rome, but honestly the only people who hit us were the guys trying to sell us toys or flowers. We had one guy, at the Spanish Steps, insist on giving us flowers as a "gift," tell us we were beautiful and then ask for money, but we just gave the flowers back. No big deal. (He also offered to take our picture, but I declined to hand him my SLR camera!)
Anyway, all that to say that we didn't see many people begging or trying to scam us in pushy ways. The flower/toy guys were really just annoying more than anything. This was in early May - I'm not sure if other things are more prevalent in the summer high season or not.
Anyway, all that to say that we didn't see many people begging or trying to scam us in pushy ways. The flower/toy guys were really just annoying more than anything. This was in early May - I'm not sure if other things are more prevalent in the summer high season or not.
May 31st, 2011, 10:23 AM
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Two incidents come to mind, traveler 24. One was in Florence at a well known old established restaurant. My husband ordered a bottle of wine and the waiter strongly suggested a different wine that he just knew we would enjoy much more. We did but not when the check arrived. The waiters suggestion cost about five times more compared to the bottle my husband and chosen. There was nothing that could be done however as my husband hadn't thought to ask or look at the wine list for the price.
In Rome, my son-in-law, born and raised in Rome and lived there until he came to the US was back home and went to the restaurant where the owner and his family had known each other for decades. The owner was there but it turned out the restaurant had been sold to someone else. He was introduced to the new owner. My son-in-law ordered the dinners for my daughter and himself. The new owner highly recommended some other meat that they had as their special that day. My son-in-law agreed. When he got the check the cost of the meat was horrendous, he was so upset but again he hadn't asked the price so he had to pay the check but it sure put a big dent in their food budget.
So if a suggestion is made to order something other than what you ordered do find out the price before agreeing to the suggestion.
Otherwise all the usual precautions which I assume your brother and wife do know about, if not you can sure advise them.
In Rome, my son-in-law, born and raised in Rome and lived there until he came to the US was back home and went to the restaurant where the owner and his family had known each other for decades. The owner was there but it turned out the restaurant had been sold to someone else. He was introduced to the new owner. My son-in-law ordered the dinners for my daughter and himself. The new owner highly recommended some other meat that they had as their special that day. My son-in-law agreed. When he got the check the cost of the meat was horrendous, he was so upset but again he hadn't asked the price so he had to pay the check but it sure put a big dent in their food budget.
So if a suggestion is made to order something other than what you ordered do find out the price before agreeing to the suggestion.
Otherwise all the usual precautions which I assume your brother and wife do know about, if not you can sure advise them.
May 31st, 2011, 11:16 AM
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We were also asked to give directions by someone who pretended to work for Valentino. He gave me a "fashionable" coat as a gift, packed in plastic, then asked for money to pay for gas. We gave him back his coat and walked away.
They should keep and eye on their purses/money/whatever. My handbag was stolen from under my nose with cameras, cash, credit cards etc. in it. In general, it's good to stay away from strangers that seem too friendly and not engage in any kind of conversations with them.
They should keep and eye on their purses/money/whatever. My handbag was stolen from under my nose with cameras, cash, credit cards etc. in it. In general, it's good to stay away from strangers that seem too friendly and not engage in any kind of conversations with them.
May 31st, 2011, 12:32 PM
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Avoid anyone offering you good deals or giving you something, getting physically close to you on the street for whatever reason -- to ask for help, to offer help, whatever.
If a group of people or children surround you and start waving papers or striking you, etc, beware, they are pickpockets. Yell loudly and say Aiuto! (eye-you-to) or Polizia! (poh-leet-zia)
If a group of people or children surround you and start waving papers or striking you, etc, beware, they are pickpockets. Yell loudly and say Aiuto! (eye-you-to) or Polizia! (poh-leet-zia)
May 31st, 2011, 02:54 PM
#8
Whenever there are distractions such as performers in a piazza, pickpockets are working. Keep your hands on your handbag/wallet.
Another rip off of these days are artists selling watercolors. Color copiers are so good these days that many of the pictures sold on the streets are from a copier. They use very good textured paper. Look carefully before purchasing even if the artist is sitting there painting.
Another rip off of these days are artists selling watercolors. Color copiers are so good these days that many of the pictures sold on the streets are from a copier. They use very good textured paper. Look carefully before purchasing even if the artist is sitting there painting.
May 31st, 2011, 04:54 PM
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Tourists are fair game for scams in Rome. We are tourists, so naturally fair game. We were stung in the most memorable fashion a couple of years ago, when we managed to purchase a pair of leather jackets (“I’m on my way home from the Milan fashion shows, where are you from?, my sister lives in Adelaide, I’ve lost half my map of Rome (shows half map), can you direct me to the bank, my Visa card is broken (shows Visa card with broken corner), here take these two leather jackets – they are just samples, I don’t need them, could you spot me 50 Euro, I’m about out of petrol (points to petrol gauge)”. 50 Euro for two leather jackets – unbelievable, and they had an Italian label – pasted over the other label that said “Made in Beijing”. A few polyvinylchlorides were killed and their skins tanned to make those jackets. And he was right when he thanked us for our help – “you’ll never forget me”, he said. We haven’t.
The other scam to watch is taxi drivers at Termini station. If a guy offers to help you get a taxi, ignore him. And when you do get into a cab, ask the driver for an estimate of the fare. Termini to say Piazza Navona should be about 10 or 15 euro - if it's more than that, get another cab.
The other scam to watch is taxi drivers at Termini station. If a guy offers to help you get a taxi, ignore him. And when you do get into a cab, ask the driver for an estimate of the fare. Termini to say Piazza Navona should be about 10 or 15 euro - if it's more than that, get another cab.
May 31st, 2011, 05:27 PM
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Don;t know how you can be scammed by an artist selling watercolors on the street. In my experience these artists often create very pretty watercolors and the prices are usually a huge bargain for any type of artwork (I've bought very attractive works for anything between $7 and $25 dollars - a bargain based on the price of the materials alone.
If anyone spends a significant amount for a piece or "art" they see on the street - they need their heads examined.
If anyone spends a significant amount for a piece or "art" they see on the street - they need their heads examined.
Apr 25th, 2012, 09:07 AM
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To be Honest I would not be paranoid about the scams as Rome is an amazing place and as long as you hid your money invisible to anybody else and watch out for your friends and family you will be ok. There are lots of gypsy's that try and sell you lots of things. some of these are good such as the cheap paintings and lasers, and cheap souvenirs and postcards but if you do not want anything off them do not acknowledge them as they are not alone and will follow you for a while. If you see them with bracelets do not approach as they will tie it to your wrist and you usually end up paying 10 euros for it. if a car approaches you walk away they will either try and stealy your bag or will try and give u fake clothes for a small price and say they need it for petrol.
Apr 25th, 2012, 09:42 AM
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Scams are the same the world over. the trouble is many americans seem to think that they need to be nice to everyone. It's simply not the case. If a stranger approaches you - for anything - feel free to ignore them. Just don;t make eye contct. If they persist or get too close - then turn away - and call for the police if you feel threatened.
Apr 25th, 2012, 03:28 PM
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The girls in Venice asking you to sign the “Petition Against Drugs”. I’m not sure if that leads to a pick pocket thing, or just for a demand for money to support the cause.
The cause, I think, is the supply of spritzes and smokes…
And we got caught in Rome, buying three little water colours, quite nice, good quality paper and mounted well, for about 25 euro. What a bargain. Signed by the artist. But the real artist was Mr Xerox, we later found, as the water colour “paint” was not water soluble. But we still like them – and I remember the vendor saying “You have to be very careful, there are a lot of fake water paintings, artists use photocopier, etc.”
The cause, I think, is the supply of spritzes and smokes…
And we got caught in Rome, buying three little water colours, quite nice, good quality paper and mounted well, for about 25 euro. What a bargain. Signed by the artist. But the real artist was Mr Xerox, we later found, as the water colour “paint” was not water soluble. But we still like them – and I remember the vendor saying “You have to be very careful, there are a lot of fake water paintings, artists use photocopier, etc.”
Apr 25th, 2012, 04:21 PM
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Don't be too paranoid, but if you have good pictures keep them uploaded or on a seperate thumbdrive if you don't want to lose them... my cousins had their cameras and equipment stolen from their car trunk and while at a train station while waiting in line for my ticket a gypsy guy tried to take my luggage with my purse on it luckily I noticed it moving and yelled at him he became all flustered but I learned to pay a little more attention to my stuff.
Apr 25th, 2012, 04:23 PM
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The only scam I encountered in Italy was at the Rome metro station near the train station. There are guys near the ticket machines that are waiting to "help" you to buy tickets... Just walk a few steps and buy your tickets at another booth... I almost fell for it, with the jetlag and all, but got suspicious when I saw one oggling the credit card of a tourist and giving a sign to one of his acolytes.
Apr 25th, 2012, 05:12 PM
#17
Actually I suggest you DO make DIRECT eye with them (keeping the OTHER eye on your valuables) and give them "that look" which says MOVE ON and QUICKLY.
Termini is notoriously FULL of pickpockets and people used to go up to the upper gallery and literally watch them at work.
Termini is notoriously FULL of pickpockets and people used to go up to the upper gallery and literally watch them at work.
Apr 25th, 2012, 05:23 PM
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I have to say that the "gold ring scam" became an actual game for us on our last trip to Paris. We decided to count the number of times that it was attempted - 14 days...37 rings
It got so funny that as they would start to bend over we would just break out laughing and in many instances the scammer would do the same.
There has to be some law of supply and demand on scams. "Little Julie used to make over 200 euros per day with her gold ring, but now...less than 5. Isn't there something you can do to help? Donate to the "Let's Slow Down Gold Ring Scammers Fund" today and help Julie to gain her rightful place back in scamdom.
dave
It got so funny that as they would start to bend over we would just break out laughing and in many instances the scammer would do the same.
There has to be some law of supply and demand on scams. "Little Julie used to make over 200 euros per day with her gold ring, but now...less than 5. Isn't there something you can do to help? Donate to the "Let's Slow Down Gold Ring Scammers Fund" today and help Julie to gain her rightful place back in scamdom.
dave
Apr 26th, 2012, 08:09 AM
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We just returned from Rome and our only problem was with the taxis.
The meter is suppose to start at 2.80 (unless its very early or late in the day). There was a taxi stand right near our hotel.
First taxi charges us 4.80 to start then took us for a long ride in circles to our destination (almost causing us to miss our tour). Not sure how to protect against that if you dont know where you are going but perhaps asking the estimated cost and duration of the trip at your hotel first).
Second time we tried to get a cab the meter was on 5.80. I said "too high" and the driver just laughed so we got out and took the metro instead.
Third time someone from our hotel walked up with us and got the driver to start at 2.80.
In general we avoided taxis and took the metro. Very easy to use.
The meter is suppose to start at 2.80 (unless its very early or late in the day). There was a taxi stand right near our hotel.
First taxi charges us 4.80 to start then took us for a long ride in circles to our destination (almost causing us to miss our tour). Not sure how to protect against that if you dont know where you are going but perhaps asking the estimated cost and duration of the trip at your hotel first).
Second time we tried to get a cab the meter was on 5.80. I said "too high" and the driver just laughed so we got out and took the metro instead.
Third time someone from our hotel walked up with us and got the driver to start at 2.80.
In general we avoided taxis and took the metro. Very easy to use.
Apr 26th, 2012, 08:56 AM
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We got a great laugh last fall when a guy in a white car pulled over in a residential part of Rome and asked us directions...then proceeded with a very involved story about being in the fashion trade..."Are they interested in Italian fashion in North Carolina....would you like this shirt? Here, how about a leather jacket..." Of course he needed money for petrol because he had to drive back to Paris (?), and had lost all his money gambling in the casino (?) ...
We gave him back his plastic wrapped stuff as "we really didn't want to carry anything around while sight seeing," and we couldn't contribute to his travel funds as we are fairly frugal travelers, ourselves. We told him he needed to make his story a little less involved and hoped he had a good day. He was very polite and cheerful and didn't make any scene and simply drove off.
We gave him back his plastic wrapped stuff as "we really didn't want to carry anything around while sight seeing," and we couldn't contribute to his travel funds as we are fairly frugal travelers, ourselves. We told him he needed to make his story a little less involved and hoped he had a good day. He was very polite and cheerful and didn't make any scene and simply drove off.
