There are scams and pure out-and-out crime.

Crime is theft, pickpockets, all the usual suspects.

And there are scams, as per my cab driver.

But there are other scams that, in retrospect, can only make you smile. We took the train to FCO airport at Rome. As soon as the train pulled in, a guy with “CREW” on his vest started helping people put their bags onto the train, and was most helpful. “Wow”, we thought, “this is really good organization by the rail, helping to get trains away on time”. A few minutes later, our CREW-man strolled through the carriage, suggesting that we should give him the odd euro for his assistance. No pressure, and I gave him a euro. He should be rewarded for his enterprise. Scam – yes, maybe. But leaving me with a smile on my face.

Here is a good resource for people who are interested in estimated taxi fares http://www.worldtaximeter.com Not 100% accurate (I think quotes are on low side) but at least provides ballpark amounts. Supported cities in Europe are: Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, London, Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Paris, Prague, Rome, Zurich.

As other posters noted traveler should find the driver not the other way around. And taxi should be the official one with working meter.

Hey Peter; The mid 90's in Rome. My daughter and I walking towards the 'old Roman bridge' and a car stops. Do you know where a gas station is? NO. You American's? I love American's. Been to San Francisco. I want to give to you this green leather jacket. Maybe you could give me money for gas. I offered him 100 lira. [1500 lira to each 1 dollar US] Just then his hand started to dig into my daughters handbag. I took evasive action and left a welt on his arm and away he went. We got to the bridge, met our other family members and what did we see? A VERY HAPPY couple with the green leather jacket. Good for them. Richard

I agree that some scams are annoying, some are entertaining. The woman who handed me branches of rosemary branches in Granada was very entertaining.

She gave me some rosemary, "you will soon meet a handsome man." Another branch, "you will get married" here comes the other one. Final branch, "you will have many children together."

I said, "Oh, oh, I don't think my boyfriend going to like that at all." Handed her some rosemary, "Gee, the children just aren't going to happen." Returned another branch, "but thanks so much anyway."

She looked a little stunned but recovered quickly enough to snatch the last branch out of my hand.

When last in Rome, I had to give a desperate thief some credit for his direct style. The young man had several leather bracelets for sale on his arm -- 5 euros each. My son decided to buy one. He handed the young man a 10-euro note, got the bracelet and waited for his change. The young man immediately did a Usain Bolt and ran down an alley with the change.

I told me son the moral of the story was that he should have bought two bracelets.

From Mark Twain, and when one laughs at being scammed:

Then pretty soon Sherburn sort of laughed; not the pleasant kind, but the kind that makes you feel like when you are eating bread that's got sand in it.

I also came across the petition girls last September, in Piazza Santa Maria Formosa. They didn't approach me but I never realised it might be a scam, looked innocent to me, however I DID think it odd they would ask tourists to sign such a petition. Thanks for letting me know.

....The mid 90's in Rome. My daughter and I walking towards the 'old Roman bridge' and a car stops. Do you know where a gas station is? NO. You American's? I love American's. Been to San Francisco.....

Good heavens, you begin to get a certain affection for these people. In our case, the driver asked for directions. The spiel was exactly the same if you substitute England for America. I forgot which part of England he had loved visiting when he was travelling for Gucci.
When he caught sight of three pairs of sceptical and slightly amused eyes, he grinned, shrugged and drove off.
This was in early March so he had started early in the season.

This happened in 2010 btw.
The gold ring scam is actually mentioned by Dickens as happening in London.
I bet the ancient Romans tried these very same scams on visiting provincials.

"You are from Egypt? I love Egyptians. I just happen to have this tunic......"

My dd and I took a more outgoing approach. We were resting in Champs de Mars when a herd of young ladies of unspecified eastern european origian descended. Each was coming up to people with a hand written note including some tale of woe. Since we speak fluent Hebrew we decided to start peppering them with lots of questions in Hebrew and talked back and forth with lots of animation (while holding on tight to our purses). They gave up on us.

Honestly this post has gone from good to hysterical. You have to give these folks credit for creativity even if the scams are old and borrowed! Thanks Sue for the great tip, I'll check it out.

But then as Peter says, there is real crime. I had the good fortune to stop a pickpocket in Lisbon on the infamous Tram 28. I had read lots of pickpocket warnings before going my first time and sure enough I watched a nice looking young man (with a sweater over his arm in June!) start to unzip an older guy's fanny pack. I just instinctively yelled at him and he bolted at the next stop. The tram driver acknowledged that the kid was a pickpocket. You'd think the city would want to try and stop this for the sake of their tourists. Anyway, this has been one of the most interesting posts in a long time.

We got sucked in to visiting a fake Colosseum. It looked like the real one except this one had a roof. Ruined the trip.

In May 2008 myself and another couple took separate taxis from the airport to the same hotel. I paid about the amount and as my husband is unloading the bagas I go to check on my friends. Their fare was THREE TIMES hwat I had just paid. The ONLY obvious difference? I speak Spanish fluently and and act like a local in Spain. My friends were more obvious tourists. My husband got a kick out of me arguing and chastising their cab driver...

"By this time, we are ensconced in Giacomo’s conveyance, in a hurry to get to our B&B, not really feeling in a position to argue."

Thank you for reminding us of the usual FIRST MISTAKE

I'll bet this would not have happened if you had not been feeling responsible for the 85-year-old. Normal rules cannot always be applied.

tarquin, you are absolutely right. If it had been just my wife and I travelling, then we'd have just hoofed it.

But with an older person, with luggage, we needed a cab.

Sometimes, even when you know you are being exploited, it's easier to just go with it, hurl a bit of money at the problem.