15 Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Italy

One of the leading countries in the world in terms of worldwide international tourist arrivals, Italy attracts millions of tourists every year. The experiences that this country offers are truly magnificent, thanks to its renowned cuisine, fascinating culture and artistic sites.

According to recent data, about 10.2 million tourists visited Italy in the first half of 2023. Unfortunately, tourist scams in Italy are a common scenario like in other countries. So, stay alert when travelling to this country to avoid falling into these traps.

Below is a list of 15 tourist scams in Italy you must know about when visiting this country:

1. Unofficial Tour Guides

In Italy, you will find unofficial tour guides lurking at the historical and religious attractions, targeting and then charging tourists exorbitantly. These guides promise to show you around but never adhere to the plan. 

They will convince you that the spots are closed or they are not accessible to tourists. Moreover, they will take you to their 'commission-based' restaurants and shops.

Common Around: Vatican City and Uffizi

2. Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing is one of the most common scams in Italy and in the rest of the world. There are plenty of variations to this where pickpockets target tourists in public transport, streets and tourist spots.

Working in pairs, they distract the victim, lift valuables or snatch them and disappear into the crowd.

Common Around: Busiest bus lines in Rome-Line 64, Milan and Rome’s main train stations.

3. Fake Luxury Products

It is common for tourists to take souvenirs back home when they travel back from a vacation. What you must keep in mind is to avoid buying products that they claim are 'branded' from local vendors on the streets of Italy. 

These vendors sell fake products at high prices. If you are caught with a 'knock-off' bag, police can charge you with a hefty fine by police.

Common Around: Local vendors around Rome, Naples and Trieste

4. Friendship Bracelets and Rose Scam

Friendship bracelets and rose scam is a common practice in Italy where you will find a person, probably a scammer, approaching you suddenly with a bracelet or a rose and trying to have a conversation. 

If you fall prey to such advances, the person will demand money from you for the 'gift' or harass you unnecessarily. Moreover, it is a trick to distract you while an accomplice tries to pickpocket your valuables.

Common Around: Piazza del Duomo in Milan or Venice’s Piazza San Marco.

5. Overcharging Taxis

Taxis are regulated throughout Italy. However, there are cases of several taxi scams happening in the cities of Italy as well. Here, taxi drivers pick up tourists, and after travelling a certain distance, they claim that the meter is not working and state that they can accept cash only. 

As you query about the fare, they claim a huge amount as taxi fare.

Common Around: Throughout Italy.

6. Fake Tickets

Selling fake tickets is a common tourist scam in Italy. Here, you will find unauthorised ticket sellers selling tickets at a discounted rate. Often, there are ‘ticket helpers’ who will offer help to you and then claim a tip from you for the help provided.

 If you disagree to pay, they will create a commotion.

Common Around: Rome, Naples and Milan.

7. Oil Prints Scam

Sellers in Italy spread out large oil prints on the ground at certain points to make tourists ‘accidentally’ step on them. Sometimes, they stain the print themselves. Unsuspecting tourists have no idea what has happened. 

As soon as someone steps on it, they threaten tourists for payment of these ‘damages’. 

Common Around: Florence and Milan.

8. Mime Artists Scam

While visiting Florence in Italy, you will notice several 'mime' artists walking around the popular tourist spots. In reality, these 'mime artists' are gypsy women that walk around in pairs, approaching families with small children. 

They work on multiple strategies, which include 'putting on a show' for children or trying to shake hands. With this, they will distract you while the other pickpockets you.

Common Around: Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica in Florence.

9. The ‘Paper Move’ Scam

The 'paper move' scam or 'La 'mossa del foglietto' is a fraud reported around the bars and restaurants in Milan. This scam usually involves fake 'deaf' beggars, targeting unsuspecting tourists visiting bars and restaurants. 

These beggars will walk into a bar/restaurant and leave a note in front of a tourist requesting a small contribution. As the person gets distracted, they will pickpocket them.

Common Around: Tourist areas around the Milan Duomo.

10. Fake Police Officers

In large cities of Italy, there have been cases of skilled scammers dressed in police attires and posing as 'tourist police' stopping people from carrying out a 'security check'. They go around in pairs and display fake badges to instantly gain the trust of the unsuspecting tourists. 

Their motto is to lift your valuables, pickpocket you or steal your passport and visa.

Common Around: Rome, Venice, Bologna, Milan, Naples and Florence.

11. Friendly Bar Friends Scam

This is another popular scam prevalent in Italy. You will find two people approaching you and inviting you for a drink as they become 'friendly' with you. They will ask you to join them at a bar nearby (they work collaboratively). 

After a couple of shots, you will end up paying more than the standard rates. 

Common Around: Throughout Italy.

12. Helping at ATM Scam

One of the common tourist scams in Italy is the ATM help scam, where an individual approaches you suddenly when they find you have an issue with your ATM card. Be extremely cautious, as their true intention is to scan your credit/debit card with a card skimmer. After that, they will drain your account. 

Common Around: Most of the ATMs in and around Italy.

13. Holiday Home Scam

During your travel to Italy, you see an advertisement for a beautiful villa and contact the owner, who asks to continue the conversation on the site by e-mail. As you email, the owner states that there has been a technical issue and that the original advertisement has been removed. 

They provide you a link to the same advertisement on another site, very similar to the original one. As you pay a deposit to secure your stay, the scammer takes the money and never calls you back.

Common Around: Rome and Milan

14. Photography Scam

You will find creative con artists inviting you in for a photo but will then ask for cash before handing you back your phone or camera. As you click pictures with them, overwhelmed by their charisma, they will demand money from you and if you disagree, they will create a scene.

Common Around: Rome and Florence

15. Tax Refund Scam

This is another popular scam prevalent in and around Italy. Here, scammers will pretend to be Italian tax officials and try to approach you to grab your money or personal information. Always keep in that this is a major scam as the Italy tax office will never contact tourists and ask for money or personal details.

Common Around: Throughout Italy.

Always opt for travel insurance to Italy before you begin your journey to this destination. This will ensure you/your family and your financial safety if there is an unexpected occasion arising here. Below are some tips and tricks to avoid tourist scams in Italy:

Always go for the tour guide for whom you have to pay at the counter of the tourist spot. Use your best judgment while hiring a guide in this location.

Avoid taking assistance from locals/people regarding carrying your luggage, being tourist guides, offering suggestions on restaurants, eateries, etc.

In case you lose your passport, get it replaced by the Indian embassy in Italy.

Grab designer products at discounted prices from original outlets in Italy.

Never accept 'free gifts' from any stranger in Italy. If you find someone approaching you, politely say 'no' and move on.

Avoid a taxi that doesn't have an official meter. Always ensure the meter is turned on and do your research to know about the standard fares and charges for a trip.

Buy a pass or a ticket from a vending machine or the tourist office. If you need help, then ask the official staff to help you.

Always be vigilant of your valuables, and don't get lost in the moment when you are at a bar or restaurant. Avoid giving money to suspicious-looking people asking for charity.

Always refuse any help at an ATM and approach the bank directly if there is any issue.

If you face any unforeseen circumstances when in Italy, you can always contact the Emergency phone number 112.

Here are some more necessary contacts which are useful to have when travelling to this country:

• State police – 113
• Emergency medical treatment and ambulance assistance – 115
• Fire brigade – 115
• Travel Information - 1515
• Sea rescue - 1530

So, these are some of the tourist scams in Italy. With a rich and diverse history, culture, topography, architecture and cuisine, Italy is a tourist magnet, and everyone loves to visit this amazing destination at least once in a lifetime. If you come across any issues when in the country, contact the local police or the embassy for assistance.