Tourist Scams in Rome

Heading to Rome/Roma and not sure what to expect? Well here we go through some of the less nice parts of visitin the Eternal City. Here we go through the most popular tourist scams that tourists need to be aware of in Rome.
Filmed in Rome, Italy

Join this channel to get access to perks:

#visitrome #rome #scams
Copyright Mark Wolters 2023

Hey There Fellow Travelers! Thank you for watching our honest travel vlogs from all over this wonderful world. If you would like to get in contact with us please follow us & send us a message via our social media channels below. Also, if you like our travel videos please feel free to share them with other fellow travelers.

You can find us all over the internet:

[GrumpyKitten]

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

[MB-qxvn]

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.

[MarkBH]

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!

[runarandersen]

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.

[christinemcgoveran]

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.

[paulmkrueger]

Headed to Rome next week. Thanks for the warning. Love your channel.

[vanessarunner]

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….

[maw]

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

[CarolynEHS]

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!

[gilliandrysdale]

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 ❤

[Sara]

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.

[liamk]

Great advice. Felt like a safe city but just keep your witts about you. I wore a front man bag and was safe. The thieves stand out most times as you will notice everyone is facing the attraction or looking at menus etc.
Best city ive ever visited.

[ArnarJin]

Thank you for bringing back the background sound in the city, I really love it

[StevenCovey-ctsx]

Just yell police ! Scream loud! Scammers panic. When I was a teenager my sisters and I did it all the time. Then they would fake cry! The scammers always panicked and left.

[jenniferd]

We are going this summer. Thank you!!!

[tobiojo]

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

[paulkoza]

Most of what you say is true for any big city in Europe. I have personally witnessed the "helpful person" at Termini Station scam. A few years ago, my daughter and I were taking the train from Rome to Naples. Termini is a beehive of humanity. I told my daughter that while waiting for the train we were going to stand with our backs against the wall and the luggage immediately in front of us. I noticed a nefarious looking guy standing looking up at the departure board. Some innocent tourists would come by and look at the board in a confused manner. This guy would immediately start up a conversation as if to help them out. Now I didn't personally witness him steal anything, but sometimes these folks work in pairs. What amazed me is that people would engage with someone who looked so obviously shady.

One scam you did not cover is the gypsy cab driver scam. Never get into anything but an official Roman taxi. Roman cab drivers are great as long as you stick with the official, licensed drivers.

[chrisr]

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.

[mrdisco]

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

[BasicAmericanDadAbroad]

🏆 Excellent points/reminders, thanks a bunch Mark! 🙌