How tourists can beat the new scam artists of Europe
Gelato in hand, you're strolling down a street in Italy, when suddenly, an attractive woman starts arguing with a street vendor. A crowd gathers as he accuses her of shoplifting. To prove her innocence, she starts to strip. Once she's down to her underwear, the vendor apologizes, the woman leaves, and the onlookers disappear - and so have their wallets, thanks to a team of pickpockets working the show. This is just one of the new, inventive ways that European scam artists operate. The good news is that if you're wise to their tricks, you can just marvel at their ingenuity.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The sneakiest pickpockets look like well-dressed businessmen, generally with something official-looking in their hand. Lately many are posing as tourists with fanny packs, cameras and even guidebooks.
No matter what country you're in, assume beggars are pickpockets and any scuffle is simply a distraction by a team of thieves. If you stop for any commotion or show, put your hands in your pockets before someone else does (or, even better, wear a money belt).
CAB FARES
To decrease your odds of being overcharged through subtle schemes, call for a taxi from a hotel or restaurant. Insist on using the meter, agree on a price upfront or know the going rate.
ATM MACHINES
If someone offers to help you use a cash machine, politely refuse. If a cash machine eats your ATM card, check for a thin plastic insert with a little flap hanging out - crooks use tweezers to extract your card.
ITALY
"Tourist Police" may stop you on the street, flash their bogus badges and ask to check your wallet for counterfeit bills or "drug money." You won't even notice some bills are missing until after they leave.
SPAIN
Scruffy women offer you sprigs of rosemary, grab your hand, read your fortune and demand payment. Don't make eye contact, don't accept a sprig and firmly but politely say "No, gracias."
VIENNA
Official-looking women decked out in long velvet capes roam famous sights, claiming to work for the opera house and offering to sell you (fake) tickets.
