Do you have a trip to Paris coming up soon? If so, you’re certainly in for a treat. Paris is known for being one of the most beautiful and romantic places to visit in the entire world. There are so many places in Paris to explore, views to admire, and food to chow down on.
Unfortunately, it’s also possible to get scammed while spending time in a place as magnificent as Paris if you don’t watch your back. TikToker @AmericanFille, aka Amanda Rollins, broke down five of the most common scams to watch out for whenever you’re spending time in Paris.
The friendship bracelet scam
Amanda explains in her video that salesmen in Paris will grab your arm and attempt to strap a bracelet around your wrist as you’re walking by. They’ll try to convince you that it’s nothing more than a “friendship bracelet” if you try to make them stop.
As soon as the bracelet is around your wrist, they’ll start pressuring you to pay them in exchange for the bracelet — even though you never wanted it in the first place.
Clipboard petitioner pickpockets
The next scam Amanda describes is all about clipboard petitioners. She explains that they’ll approach you with a clipboard and ask you to sign your name in support of some foundation. While you’re distracted signing their clipboard, someone else from their squad will brush up close to you in an attempt to pickpocket you.
Pedicab scam
Amanda says you need to keep an eye out for pedicabs. They’ll show you a list of prices before offering to drive you around the city. Once you reach your final destination, they’ll drop the unexpected bomb on you that their prices are individually separated for every single person in your group.
For example, if there are three people in your group and you thought you’d be paying $20 for a ride from point A to point B, you’ll actually be paying $60 in total to cover the cost of everyone in your group.
Dropped ring scam
The dropped ring scam is something else to watch out for in Paris. Someone will approach you asking if you accidentally dropped your ring. You’ll tell them it isn’t yours, but they’ll try to convince you that you should wear it anyway. Once they slip it onto your finger, they’ll try to convince you to pay them some amount of money for it — even though you never wanted to ring to begin with!
Photo/portrait scam
The last scam Amanda describes comes into play when artists offer to draw a portrait of you for free (or snap a picture of you for free.) Keep in mind that anyone who does a service like this for you is going to expect to be paid in the end.
If you don’t have the cash to tip someone for a portrait or picture, don’t agree to let them do any services for you! It will end with them pressuring you to pay, even though they originally offered their services at no cost.
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