Paris scam

They are just " creative" beggers, , the paper will have a story about how they are broke refugees etc.. in english,, asking for a handout. . They may also pick pocket while you are distracted,, but also may not.. Just best to IGNORE all strangers who approach you unless they are most definately tourists like you( and it is darn easy to tell us tourists from locals,, LOL )

I didn't see the ring scam, though I was expecting to. I read so much on the scams in Paris, that we were "on guard" for the whole trip. We got "hit" right off the Eurostar by the women asking us if we spoke English, trying to push something on paper on us. All her friends were at the Eiffel Tower, along with all those guys selling ET key chains. Boy are they pushy!!!

Pushy,, and they will really try and pull on your heart strings. Harden yourself.

While getting the money out of my wallet in the back seat of the taxi I had taken to Gare Du Nord,, a LITTLE GIRL( 10, 11?) stood at the window,, knocking,, holding up a piece of paper ,, and looking as pathetic as one can.. I was rather annoyed,, I HATE when they use kids,, and I know darn well these kids are not alone,, an adult is always nearby keeping their eye on the kid.. so frankly,, I shooed her away with a sharp 'NON" and a cold look. She dissappeared,, but as I departed taxi,, noticed she was at next car behind me.. it goes against human nature to be so cold to kids,, but its a hole in the dike I dont want to open.

I hate it when they use kids.. I personally think the authorities should pick up the obvious minors,, but I guess then they would have to do something with them( and that is no doubt a huge can of worms)

I spent a few hours at Gare du Nord in Sept while waiting for my train. It was late afternoon on a Sunday. That area right at the train station has many street people, homeless, panhandlers, etc. I didn't see any children begging, but I'm not surprised that they would be there. While inside the station, panhandlers approached me three times. I gave one a partial sandwich which I didn't want. All the action seems to be inside and just outside the Gare. There are many hotels across the street; I didn't see the same activities over there.

I think it would be accurate to say that beggars/panhandlers all want your money. One way or the other. Wear a money belt and keep moving.

I got a kick out of the women at the Eiffel Tower who all stopped their begging to take a 10 am coffee and cigarette break together.

You can take a pic of them if you put someone else near them and pretend to take a pic of your companion.

Another situation you may encounter at Gare du Nord…the homeless guys who approach with an offer to secure a taxi for you. They’ll take you to a legitimate taxi driver but will expect a few Euros in return. It’s probably a rather innocuous arrangement, but it’s also unnecessary. Just head directly to the taxi queue.

Just got back from Paris and the ring scam is everywhere; outside the Musee D'Orsay there was a man and woman team working it all day. Saw it again later in the day in that same area- this time w/an elderly woman. If they hand you the ring hand it right back, if they won't take it, drop it to the ground and walk away.

The woman w/the children are all over the Eiffel Tower and the other popular tourist spots. Just walk away from them, they'll know you are on to them. Don't know why the police don't do a better job of stopping this - a few arrests w/ cops posing as tourits might well put a damper on this. And keep your wallets in your front pocket or wear a money belt.

Just got back from Paris too. Ring scam directed at me outside the Louvre and outside Gare Montparnasse. The women with the papers at the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Say no and walk away.
The second time the ring scam was tried on us we just couldn't help but laugh -- and the scammer laughed too.

When I was standing in line at the Eiffel Tower with my husband and a friend, one of the "ladies" came over with her piece of paper and asked if we spoke English. My friend shouted in a very loud voice "Go away!", the woman as she walked away, shouted "Go away please!"

We also watched as the police took a group of the women and put them into the "paddy wagon". They waved at the crowd as they were driving by - such boldness! And they (or others very much like them) were back at the same spot the next day.

As for the guys standing outside at Sacre Coeur and Versailles, I learned that by not making eye contact and walking briskly past, I don't get bothered.

However, it's not just in Paris and France, there are those in Italy - there's the guy in the "leather" jacket in Florence, plus the knock-off purse sellers in Rome and Venice. I refuse to support these guys and buy from legitimate sellers at the markets.

Virginia,

Reading all these postings here reminds me of what I saw in Paris this summer, especially in the Gare du Nord area.

First of all, these waifs sticking that card in front of your face and asking you in English if you speak the language is done on natives too. which I observed at Gare du Nord two years ago, when one of them did it to three Africans who were having coffee.

At that point I thought as I was watching this unfolding , how do the natives handle this scam. The two Aficans talking did not even stop and pay this waif any attention, while the third African listening to his buddies' conversation just flickered his hand to wave her off as if he were flicking off a fly.

Just ignore it when you are accosted--and you are being accosted---or say loudly, NO. Or, just avoid them, which is admittedly sometimes hard to do because if they see you first, they will head right towards you. Just don't stop and give them any attention, let alone pocket change, period.

This "do you speak english" scam takes place at the sites where they know tourists are to be seen in large numbers. You wrote that they scattered when les flics (the police) showed up. Of course, they scammers know what's up. What bugs me the most is that I believe these scammers, be it the ring scam, which has not happened to me, or some other, target especially Americans. Luckily, I never fell for it, and it is true, as has been mentioned here, these scammers just want your cash.

Fred, you seem to think that because these beggars (the word "scammers" is not apt here) ask "Do you speak English?" that this means they are targeting Americans. I beg to differ. There are tourists from elsewhere who speak English, to wit: Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Scandinavia, Holland, to mention just a few. They target TOURISTS and the odds are the ones they accost will speak or understand English.

Yes, these beggar/waifs target all tourists, but maybe I am more cynical in saying that they single out us Americans, because we stand out amongst the Europeans. And, they can spot us out easily. The other Europeans would be less prone to be caught off guard by scammers and beggars than Americans.

Phoenix Kristen mentioned that they had no problems, but they had to be "on guard." (original quotes) Unfortunately, rightly so, otherwise you will be a victim for a beggar/waif and scammers.

How, I wonder, do these beggars, very likely semi-literate and from Eastern Europe, differentiate American tourists from Canadians, Australians or Brits?

I've also experienced these scams in various places. A few examples.....

The card with the "hard luck story" - I've found this most prevalent in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower. Judging by her attire, the woman was from eastern Europe (perhaps Romania?). However, I've encountered a similar scam on Rue Cler (which was a bit surprising) where a woman holding a card asked if I could speak English or Italian. When I told the Desk Clerk at the Hotel about this, she said I was wise not to fall for it, as the "old man was probably waiting around the corner in a Mercedes, and they probably have more money than you do".

The Bracelet tied to the wrist followed by the demand for money - the last time I encountered this was in Paris at the end of May, in the area at the base of Montmartre. I kept my arms close to my side so they wouldn't have any opportunity to attach a Bracelet.

The offer to "help" buy Metro tickets and then demand a fee - I've found this most common at the Metro ticket machines at Termini. Again these individuals seem to be from eastern Europe.

My approach is to make it quite clear that I'm not interested, and if they're persistent my response becomes increasingly "blunt".

Incidentally, a recent issue of Travel & Leisure magazine just featured a list of some of the top travel scams, and the infamous No. 64 Bus in Rome was near the top of the list.

Cheers!