Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy this week's video. Let me know in the comments if you have experience w/ any of the scams mentioned and if I left out any you've seen before! Full list here: happytowander.com/europe-scams/ Thanks again to Airalo for sponsoring this week's video! Try Airalo here & use the code HAPPY3 for a discount! go.airalo.com/HappytoWander
Great video! People really do need to do some research before they travel. In some of the travel tips groups I'm in, there's always people who want to do things by the seat of their pants. You might have been able to do that ten, twenty years ago but not anymore. Gotta check reviews! And pay attention to your surroundings.
also if you are going to italy, be ware of scammers trying to sell you fake paintings. they act as if they are painting but its accually a printed art not hand made
Heard of many of these but also some new ones. In 2 days am visiting a new country. This has made me aware again to be careful and aware. Thx heaps. 👏🇦🇺
I'm surprised to hear of any Airbnb scams. I thought the screening by them would be thorough. Also, would they not be shut down after the first person was ripped off? Eek. Thanks for this info. I'm booked at several Airbnb's in England, Switzerland, France and Italy and I leave in just 5 days... Officially freaked out now. 😂
I am a very seasoned traveler, yet I got scammed at a restaurant in Santorini. I paid probably twice as much as I should have paid for a lunch. They gave me the bill in greek and I paid, and didn't realize how much it was until I got my card statement and it was over 75 dollars-- for a one course lunch. Always go through your restaurant bill and make sure it matches what you expected. BTW the restaurant is no longer in business.
Thanks so much!! And thanks for watching. PS I’ve always wanted to visit Cape Breton. One of my best friends lived there for a few years and had so many amazing things to say about it!
I saw the cup and ball game at Sacre Coeur and Trocadero. At Trocadero it was very obvious there was a ‘shill’ who frequently ‘won’ to lure in the ‘marks’
Ooh interesting! I’ve heard of this before - apparently an old school thing based on the assumption that men will always pay? I’ve never encountered it though haha
Are there this many scams in the US? I know there's crime for sure. I wonder if people traveling here are as worried of being scammed or robbed. I went to Barcelona last year and only had one sketchy experience. We were in a square and it was so incredibly beautiful. We tried to go check out the fountain and a guy flashed open his coat and asked us if we wanted a beer. There was another guy lurking behind us. Kinda funny. We just laughed at him and walked away. I am headed to Pamplona, Venice & Rome in a couple of weeks, using primarily public transport. So, a little more worried this time. Thank you so much for all of your videos!!
In my city we have """"chinese monks""""" who will try to force bead bracelets on tourists and I always butt in and tell them it's a scam, they WILL demand payment or 'donations' once they put it on you!
I've seen a lot of these scams in NYC. The people in costumes in Times Square demanding payment for photos, people selling fake goods, the monks giving out bracelets for a donation, some ticket sellers for the statue of liberty are fake, and even the hop-on-hop-off tour bus itself is basically a scam. In other cities, I've also seen people giving out free items but then demanding payment, like their demo mixtape or flowers.
Local ATMs are fishy. My private record is 15euros on 50euros times 3. So ,total paid in fees was 45 euros. It was ATM of a German bank. So, I better prefer to be scammed once than 3 times.
My friend got driven around by a taxi in Israel. It should have been a 20 min drive. He drove her for like an hour. She was so pissed when we compared our taxi costs. I had a souvenir store in Paris add $200 dollars to my transaction. Luckily I saved my receipts and called my credit card company.
Haha nooo - do chat to locals if you want to! Just be wary in busy touristy areas if they’re the ones approaching you - this is often a red flag. That said, context is everything. There’s a huge difference between someone trying to sell you a bracelet in front of the Eiffel Tower vs a friendly chat w/ a local you happen to be seated next to at a cafe. In any case, it’s smart to be vigilant, especially when you first arrive, but don’t let that stop you from having a good time haha. Safe travels!
Lol I traveled solo abroad for the first time in March. My aunt commented on one post to not to talk to strangers and I replied too late! The thing is. Basically everyone I talked to, I approached. I didn't talk to people who tried to approach me. The locals in London and Edinburgh are awesome and I had great interactions. I've watched enough of these videos before traveling to know what to watch out for.
God create both good and bad terrible people in London. So you will meet beautiful women and good people in London but of course you will also meet bad and terrible people who steal or rob or stab you in London . I miss the beautiful women and girls in London. But discriminations always happen to colorful people in London so let colorful people breathe in London and American.
I agree a lot of this seems like common sense, but I’ve witnessed so many newbie travellers falling victim to these scams that I feel like it’s better to over-explain than under-explain haha, hence why the video title specifies “for first timers”. Glad you already have all this wisdom under your belt though. Safe travels :)
There are a lot more people traveling now including people from small towns who've never been to a big city or have never traveled before or haven't traveled in decades. I'm lucky because I free up going into NYC and I live a short train ride away so I'm used to maneuvering my way around. I was comfortable in London, Montreal and Edinburgh. But I know a lot of people in my town who are scared to even go into NYC and they would be vulnerable. Videos like this would be really helpful.
Yes! I definitely think when restaurants have menus in a bunch of languages (especially those with big signs openly advertising these menus), it’s often a red flag. That said, I feel like having English menus is becoming more common these days (depending on the location). I’ve had some amazing meals in places with an English menu, so I wouldn’t dismiss them all as bad… but the best bet is to always double check reviews and gauge the overall vibe haha - I think with experience, you start to gain a 6th sense re: which restaurants look good!
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Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy this week's video. Let me know in the comments if you have experience w/ any of the scams mentioned and if I left out any you've seen before!
Full list here: happytowander.com/europe-scams/
Thanks again to Airalo for sponsoring this week's video! Try Airalo here & use the code HAPPY3 for a discount! go.airalo.com/HappytoWander
Christina, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos. They are always really informative. Thanks for putting them together.
I enjoy watching ur videos. So informative and it has a very positive mood
I ran across the petition scam outside the Eiffel Tower. I had to get very verbally aggressive back. Yes, they were scoping pockets too.
Great video! People really do need to do some research before they travel. In some of the travel tips groups I'm in, there's always people who want to do things by the seat of their pants. You might have been able to do that ten, twenty years ago but not anymore. Gotta check reviews! And pay attention to your surroundings.
also if you are going to italy, be ware of scammers trying to sell you fake paintings. they act as if they are painting but its accually a printed art not hand made
Ooh yes I forgot to mention this in the video! Definitely something to be wary of… and quite common, sadly! Thanks for the comment :)
This occurs in New York as well as Europe.
I have been scammed in Naples by taxi firms twice
I was charged 3 times the amount twice. I was later told by a local. :(
Heard of many of these but also some new ones. In 2 days am visiting a new country. This has made me aware again to be careful and aware. Thx heaps. 👏🇦🇺
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting. Safe travels 🫶
I'm surprised to hear of any Airbnb scams. I thought the screening by them would be thorough. Also, would they not be shut down after the first person was ripped off? Eek. Thanks for this info. I'm booked at several Airbnb's in England, Switzerland, France and Italy and I leave in just 5 days... Officially freaked out now. 😂
Wow! This was such an informative and well made video! Thank you so much! 😃
So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching and commenting :)
I am a very seasoned traveler, yet I got scammed at a restaurant in Santorini. I paid probably twice as much as I should have paid for a lunch. They gave me the bill in greek and I paid, and didn't realize how much it was until I got my card statement and it was over 75 dollars-- for a one course lunch. Always go through your restaurant bill and make sure it matches what you expected. BTW the restaurant is no longer in business.
Great tips! Greetings from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia!
Thanks so much!! And thanks for watching. PS I’ve always wanted to visit Cape Breton. One of my best friends lived there for a few years and had so many amazing things to say about it!
@@HappytoWander oh wow! Very nice to hear! Yesssss, I hope you can come for a visit one day!💖💖
Love Cape Breton! My Aunt lives in Port Hood!
@@Astrocop17 cool! Al McInnis country! I’m from Richmond County…not far from Port Hood! Cheers!
@@janicepottie802 we were there the day of the parade when he brought the cup…. After the Blues won, pretty cool!
10:30 I only get money from a real bank, not these ATMs!
Thank you for your helpful vids. Question my phone is not esim capable what sim card would you recommend for a UK and Germany trip. Thanks
I’ve used Three in the past and can definitely recommend it! They’re UK based but roaming to European countries should be included too :)
great video
I saw the cup and ball game at Sacre Coeur and Trocadero. At Trocadero it was very obvious there was a ‘shill’ who frequently ‘won’ to lure in the ‘marks’
Yes! Super common in lots of major cities… and it’s wild how many people still fall for it! Glad you found it obvious though haha
What is the Babble discount code?
Use ATMs from a bank, preferably either inside the bank or bank lobby
Yes, 100%!
Hi!! does your phone need to unlocked to use the ESIM?
6:07 it is also common in jfk too
Good to know!! Sadly a lot of these scams can be found all around the world.
Years ago in California we ate at a restaurant where the men received menus with prices, the women’s menus didn’t
Ooh interesting! I’ve heard of this before - apparently an old school thing based on the assumption that men will always pay? I’ve never encountered it though haha
I remember these menus from the 70s/80s. They were in the more up-market restaurants.😊
Lost my phone in London 😢
Are there this many scams in the US? I know there's crime for sure. I wonder if people traveling here are as worried of being scammed or robbed.
I went to Barcelona last year and only had one sketchy experience. We were in a square and it was so incredibly beautiful. We tried to go check out the fountain and a guy flashed open his coat and asked us if we wanted a beer. There was another guy lurking behind us. Kinda funny. We just laughed at him and walked away.
I am headed to Pamplona, Venice & Rome in a couple of weeks, using primarily public transport. So, a little more worried this time.
Thank you so much for all of your videos!!
In my city we have """"chinese monks""""" who will try to force bead bracelets on tourists and I always butt in and tell them it's a scam, they WILL demand payment or 'donations' once they put it on you!
That happened to me in Seattle when I visited from Canada a few trips ago. Ugh.
I've seen a lot of these scams in NYC. The people in costumes in Times Square demanding payment for photos, people selling fake goods, the monks giving out bracelets for a donation, some ticket sellers for the statue of liberty are fake, and even the hop-on-hop-off tour bus itself is basically a scam. In other cities, I've also seen people giving out free items but then demanding payment, like their demo mixtape or flowers.
NYC also has costumed people who will jump in your photos and demand payment for it
Local ATMs are fishy. My private record is 15euros on 50euros times 3. So ,total paid in fees was 45 euros. It was ATM of a German bank. So, I better prefer to be scammed once than 3 times.
My friend got driven around by a taxi in Israel. It should have been a 20 min drive. He drove her for like an hour. She was so pissed when we compared our taxi costs.
I had a souvenir store in Paris add $200 dollars to my transaction. Luckily I saved my receipts and called my credit card company.
Driver was probably arab.
Europeans don't need it because cost is standard Europe wide 😊
So don’t talk to locals. Got it 👍
Haha nooo - do chat to locals if you want to! Just be wary in busy touristy areas if they’re the ones approaching you - this is often a red flag. That said, context is everything. There’s a huge difference between someone trying to sell you a bracelet in front of the Eiffel Tower vs a friendly chat w/ a local you happen to be seated next to at a cafe. In any case, it’s smart to be vigilant, especially when you first arrive, but don’t let that stop you from having a good time haha. Safe travels!
Lol I traveled solo abroad for the first time in March. My aunt commented on one post to not to talk to strangers and I replied too late! The thing is. Basically everyone I talked to, I approached. I didn't talk to people who tried to approach me. The locals in London and Edinburgh are awesome and I had great interactions. I've watched enough of these videos before traveling to know what to watch out for.
God create both good and bad terrible people in London. So you will meet beautiful women and good people in London but of course you will also meet bad and terrible people who steal or rob or stab you in London . I miss the beautiful women and girls in London. But discriminations always happen to colorful people in London so let colorful people breathe in London and American.
You are very bright, aren't you...
Why is it that your audience is so naive as to need these tips?
I agree a lot of this seems like common sense, but I’ve witnessed so many newbie travellers falling victim to these scams that I feel like it’s better to over-explain than under-explain haha, hence why the video title specifies “for first timers”. Glad you already have all this wisdom under your belt though. Safe travels :)
There are a lot more people traveling now including people from small towns who've never been to a big city or have never traveled before or haven't traveled in decades. I'm lucky because I free up going into NYC and I live a short train ride away so I'm used to maneuvering my way around. I was comfortable in London, Montreal and Edinburgh. But I know a lot of people in my town who are scared to even go into NYC and they would be vulnerable. Videos like this would be really helpful.
People are different, not everyone is like you.
Never go to a restaurant in Europe that has a menu in English
Yes! I definitely think when restaurants have menus in a bunch of languages (especially those with big signs openly advertising these menus), it’s often a red flag.
That said, I feel like having English menus is becoming more common these days (depending on the location). I’ve had some amazing meals in places with an English menu, so I wouldn’t dismiss them all as bad… but the best bet is to always double check reviews and gauge the overall vibe haha - I think with experience, you start to gain a 6th sense re: which restaurants look good!
I disagree. Many restos have English as well as their language to help the tourist who doesn’t understand the language. Nothing wrong with that.