With the summer season in Paris approaching, many tourists already have their flights and hotels booked and are now contemplating how many outfits they can squeeze into their carry-ons. (It’s the fashion capital of the world. You must have options!) And after watching the Olympic and Paralympic games in France in 2024, which helped boost French tourism to a record high, as per Campus France, the FOMO (fear of missing out) has hit hard, with a slew of travelers itching to visit the European city.
However, tourists are susceptible to scams when traveling to any foreign destination. According to a March 2025 article by DailyMail.com, one in ten – or 212,000 – tourists who’ve traveled to France in the last five years have admitted to being scammed. They also reported that these shakedowns have happened to tourists in other countries (including the U.S.), but France is one of the hardest-hit countries for fraud incidents.
Despite the alarming statistics, there are ways travelers can protect themselves from being ripped off. Insert Magdalena Petrusic, a travel expert from Paris Tours & Ticket,s who shared her tips on dodging swindlers via a press release. “Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use a money belt or hidden pouch for essentials, double-check the credentials of anyone offering services, and learn a few basic French phrases to help deflect unwanted attention,” Petrusic warned.
She also pointed out that the spring and summer months are particularly vulnerable times for tourists in Paris, given its a popular time for travel. (Hence why, in 2022, Paris was named the world’s best tourist destination, as per Road Genius.) But as we said, there are things you can do to prevent falling victim to cons; you just have to know the signs to look out for. Below are five common tricks scammers try to pass on to non-natives and how to refrain from falling for them.
Bracelet Scam
One scary ordeal many tourists have fallen victim to is the bracelet scam. This is when a group of people – who seem friendly and harmless – approach travelers near landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur and offer to make them a bracelet. While it might be tempting to say yes, do not be fooled; they’ll demand an expensive payment in return. What also often happens in this scenario is tourists will get pickpocketed while they’re being distracted by another in the group (which is why crooks typically travel together).
If you find yourself in this situation, Petrusic advised to avoid eye contact with the scammers and keep moving. “Don’t allow anyone to touch you or tie anything to your wrist, even if they seem friendly, as this can lead to the scammers claiming you’ve received a service or product from them and demanding you pay for it,” the expert cautioned. “Just let them know you are not interested and continue your journey.”
She also recommended drawing attention to the scene (i.e., being extra loud, prompting people to look in your direction), which is the best method for getting scammers to leave you alone as they generally won’t persist once others notice their schemes.
Charity Scam
Another frequent occurrence that targets tourists is charity scams. This is when locals approach travelers with clipboards claiming to represent charities and ask for signatures on a petition. Again, the act doesn’t seem dangerous, but be wary before agreeing to sign because as soon as you do, the individual usually demands a donation, sometimes suggesting a minimum contribution.
Like the bracelet scam, this could also lead to defrauders pickpocketing you, especially if they’re traveling in groups, as they’ll aim to distract you. Petrusic noted that this is particularly common in the gardens near the Eiffel Tower, where tourists usually relax and enjoy the views.
“In these cases, you can keep the scammer away by politely refusing to engage with anyone asking for signatures in public spaces and by never giving anyone who approaches you any personal information,” Petrusic instructed. “If you are sitting down on a bench or in a garden, make sure you always keep your belongings close to your body and that all your bags are closed.”
Taxi Scam
Scammers don’t just exist on foot, as unlicensed taxi drivers also pose a threat to travelers. These drivers specifically target tourists to deceive them by refusing to use the meter, taking roundabout routes, or charging amplified rates for short trips. They’re usually found at popular tourist spots like airports, train stations, and landmarks, and offer discounted and faster rides than a typical (and legit) taxi service. Agreeing to a ride could also lead to more troubling encounters, where many victims have reported feeling threatened and intimidated to hand over the cash, according to Petrusic.
To evade this, she recommended abstaining from getting in the car with any drivers who solicit passengers and only use an official tax service or an Uber. You can also request that the hotel staff or someone at the public transportation information desk call a taxi to ensure you’re in the safest hands.
“Licensed Paris taxis are marked with a light on the roof and a meter inside and have the driver’s identification and license on display,” Petrusic explained. “If you feel uncomfortable, insist on stopping in a public area; if the driver refuses, call local authorities on 112.”
The Ring Scam
Travelers should always have their guard up, as even the smallest of interactions could seem innocent until you realize they’re attempting to cheat you out of money. That’s the case with the ring scam, where a stranger claims they found a gold ring and insists that it’s yours and that they should be paid as a reward.
If you ever find yourself in this predicament or something similar, Petrusic urged that you keep walking and don’t accept any items that someone offers you by hand.
The ATM Scam
Lastly, there’s the ATM scam, in which victimizers use distraction tactics to gain entry into your bank account. The typical trick involves someone pretending to assist tourists struggling with the machine by claiming their card is stuck or not working properly. They’ll wait for you to abandon the machine to seek help and use tweezers to remove your card and withdraw money using the PIN they saw you use.
The strategy to avoid this is to use ATMs only in secure locations like inside banks or hotels and always shield the keypad from others’ view when typing in your PIN, said Petrusic.
Petrusic further commented on her safety tips for Paris travelers in the press release.
