Tourist Scams in Rome

My mother had a man give her a rose. He said it was free. My stepfather offered money, but, then, he said it wasn't enough, so my mother dropped it and stepped on it. The man got upset!

Wearing a cross body bag, wear something over it like a sweater, a shirt, a shawl or jacket. Don't wear it on the outside of your clothing. If someone's gonna slash the strap from behind you,they're not gonna be able to see that you're wearing one until they're right in front of you. So if the Crossbody bags hidden underneath another layer of clothing you reduce the risk of being slashed on the strap

Also: Don’t eat or drink very close to the attractions, because it can be very expensive. I think I noticed like 7 euro for 1/3 of a pint. Walk some streets behind and get better food and better prices.

There was a woman in my group at the Vatican, had a necklace taken off her neck and none of us even saw it happen. Never EVER wear expensive jewelry when you travel. They are slick!! I also grew up near NYC, so I'm kind of used to being aware. I took your advice when I went to Rome. It was very helpful! Thank you!

Another one is where an 'artist' has his paintings/pictures layed out on the floor and puts one down in front of you as you walk by, standing on it, you have then 'ruined' it by stepping on it so must now pay for it. Just walk on.

My resting ** face has helped me so many times I don’t mind it anymore lol. I simply don’t acknowledge anyone approaching me in a big city. They never have good intentions.

I got robbed in Rome inside the train, they got my wallet inside my bag, and then when u go to the police station there’s a million people on line with the same issue and they dont really care, they re used to….

The petition scam happens every where you go around the world, except North Korea and Antarctica

one tip I found out after having g a slightly scary experience at the metro station was you can buy metro tickets from news stands so you don’t have to stand in the station trying to figure it out ❤

My husband had his phone stolen from an outside cafe table last June in London. He went inside to use the restroom. My niece and I were approached by guy “selling” newspaper right over our table. I was trying to shoo him away. We didn’t even realize the phone had been stolen till my husband returned and asked where it was. Filed police report with London police and they could care less. You could tell it happens all the time. So my husband lost a $1200 phone and had to go buy a new one since we had just arrived. I kid you not, 2 weeks later in Barcelona with my girlfriends, again at outside cafe. I had warned them both about leaving phone on table. Some guy approaches with selling newspaper over the table, and right away I yell “You’re phone!!” & luckily she grabbed it just in time. All the local Spanish people including waiters starting yelling at him to get the hell out of there. They told us it was a scam. I will NEVER leave my cell phone on a table even while eating/drinking cause you are talking and just too distracted.

Pickpockets are everywhere not just Rome, even in your backyard

I went to Rome in October. Two times I felt scammed were at the Collisuem and at the Trevi fountain. Exiting the Collisuem we saw an "artist" supposedly hand painting some art so we bought two portraits thinking they were his originals lol. Come to see all over Rome were the exact same paintings. Still got a fair price and they are nice pieces, but just came off as scummy/scammy. Second, at the Trevi fountain you had a bunch of men with Poloriod cameras around their necks asking if you wanted a picture. One guy offered to take us a picture with our phones then transitioned to ask us if we wanted to take one with the Polaroid camera for 10 euros. We said ok to help him out but when he handed us the picture we realized absolutely nothing was visible in the background so it was a such poor quality photo that we felt scammed. A lady next to us came up to us after and also localized her distaste for what she got.

I spent a month in Rome last year, and absolutely loved it! So much to see and do, just wandering around without a plan is fun. Don’t forget to go to the sea while you’re there. It’s not far away on the metro and local train (take the B line metro to Pyramide, then change to the local train on the upper level of the station, and get off at Lido Centro). I saw some of these scams while I was there, but I was very conscious and aware all the time. You may also see singers on the local trains, or people asking for money. I saw both, but said “no, grazie”, and was mostly left alone.

I only use a phone case with a wrist strap. Prevents it from getting grabbed from your hand (and from you accidentally dropping it)

There was a young guy who was helping everyone to buy metro tickets in Roma Termini, the only trick was that he was getting the ticket with his credit and you could pay him cash. Ticket was valid for 3 days and didn't have any problem but still can't figure out whether he was just a nice guy or there is hidden secret there. I have only two possible scenario, credit card was stolen or he was just doing that to widtraw money from his own credit.

Great video and advise. BTW, the designers stores are a scam too. 😂

I had a bag slashed to bits in Rome, 2005. They got nothing because my money and anything valuable was in the back pocket. My bag was a mess. I learned the hard way what to do.

My mom got her bag stolen from right behind her on the chair…even when you think you are so careful

My sister, her friend, and I were at the top of the Spanish steps and this man approached them and said “ciao bella” and then gave them a rose. He then turned to me and asked for a small coin. I said I didn’t have any money so he took the roses out of their hands and went up to another woman.

The "free bracelet" guys tried to get me but I told them off. Then my dad ended up falling for it after I walked away, but the guys peddling it saw me running back over and I think they got scared and let him have it before asking for money LOL. He's got a cool new free bracelet now to remind him of his time in Rome!