Scams, etc.

Been traveling over 40 years and only one incident of pick pocketing in London. Didn't happen to me either but a friend who was traveling with me. Have been to Mexico, NYC, Chicago, Boston, Miami, D.C., Dallas, Seattle, Portland, Santa Fe, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Billings, Jackson Hole, Omaha, St. Louis, Abilene, Denver, Wichita, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Richmond, Philly, Hawaii, Dublin, Belfast, England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, France, Denmark, Italy and......my point, I wouldn't get out of bed if I worried about scams and pickpockets while traveling. You'll be on a tour. I travel solo. Just WHAT scams are you referring to? Wear a money belt, stay with your group and simply be aware of your surroundings. The sky is not falling.

Margaret, I also agree with Claudia. There are scams and pickpockets in most locations in Europe, but if you wear a Money Belt and follow the "usual" precautions, you shouldn't have any problems. In my experience, these are less prevalent in the U.K. than in other parts of Europe. Happy travels!

I agree with Claudia. There are definitely scams. Educate yourself, be aware of your surroundings, and take normal precautions (use a moneybelt and keep an eye on your stuff) - you should have no problem.

I posted this question on this forum six months ago or so. While it was agreed that residents of the UK are less likely to pick your pocket or purse or pull off some type of scam there is the concern that the allure of the Olympics will bring con artists from other countries to London to prey on tourists and locals. I have "defensive" items such as neck wallets and inside the waist belt wallets and intend to use them while in London during the Olympics. If you don't already have these items you should think about where you will be and when. If your tour group will be tight knit and cohesive all the time you probably need not worry, but if you will be visiting sites where you will be mixing in with crowds you might want to get at least one type of hidden wallet. Reading through this web site I don't think that you will be a victim of the "do you speak English". "fake plainclothes police", "petition", and "friendship bracelet" scams. However, I can see the "gold ring" and maybe subway ticket dispensing machine scam being attempted in London.

Traveled to the UK over ten times. The only places I've been pick pocketed are Chicago--connection between the now blue line and the red line. ; ( and the second time was earlier this month at the Staten Island Ferry terminal. ; ( Each time I had a niece or nephew with me. So, it's all about being distracted and not focusing on your belongings. I haven't seen much in Scotland, but that said, I sure keep me eyes open and my belongings safe during the festival in Edinburgh. It was painful to have to replace all my stuff over the past three weeks, but I did it. When you're abroad it's much harder. And, you're on vacation and you don't want to spend vacation tracking down a new passport. So, use a money belt. ; ) Pam

Just exercise the normal precautions that you would in any big city and secure your valuables. The only place that I've ever had my wallet stolen was in London. I was living there at the time. That doesn't mean that I think the British Isles are full of scams or pickpockets. I blame it more on my carelessness and the fact that I was in a rush and not paying attention. It could have happened in any major city. I was coming out of the very crowded Notting Hill Gate tube station on a Saturday morning (market day) with my purse dangling behind my back. I got out of the tube station and noticed my purse was unclasped. Oblivious, I thought that I had forgotten to clasp it when I put my travelcard back in my purse. Didn't click that anything had been stolen until I stopped to get a coffee and realized my wallet was missing.

Margaret,, relax ,, sensible precautions and you will be fine.. and you are right , travelling in a tour does insulate you a tad,, plus the tour guide will usually give you a heads up ( at least our Rick Steves Tour guide did, warning us when we were going to be in places where pickpocketing was prevelent,,in this case when we took a public bus in Rome) Don't be jittery.. millions and millions of tourist have no problems at all,, and it the warnings are just to give you a heads up.

Was just in England and Ireland for 3 weeks with a mix of rural and city time and followed my usual wearing a money belt the whole time. But I have to admit I felt a little silly doing it since everyone was so nice. I've seen plenty of scams across Europe and been (poorly) pick-pocketted once on a train in Rome but I didn't see any of that in England or Ireland. But I stuck to the plan because the cost of the inconvenience of carrying your passport in a money belt is far less than having your trip ruined by losing it.
Americans tend to get overly worried about these things but just be smart about it. I saw a thread here before where a woman who lived in New York City asked if 10 years in New York made her prepared for London and most people said "yes" and having been there I agree.