9 Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Switzerland

Switzerland, a paradise for travellers located in Central Europe, is famous for its mountainous beauty, the Alps, glistening snow-covered peaks, and culture. Every year, millions of people across the globe visit this country to experience its beauty, music, art, and food and get a taste of mediaeval culture. 

However, despite being a peace-loving and safe country for foreigners, tourists may experience scams in some parts of the country. Hence, this article highlights the possible scams in Switzerland to create awareness among tourists. 

Despite being a famous tourist destination, tourists visiting Switzerland have encountered frauds and scams. A lot of scams can be avoided by staying alert and taking precautionary measures. 

Here are some of the most common tourist scams in Switzerland that one must be aware of:

1. Taxi Scams

Taxi or transportation scams are most common and happen all across the globe. Generally, when you hire a taxi and board it without asking for a fare to reach the destination, the taxi driver tends to overcharge you. 

Sometimes, they take advantage of the tourists and drive through the longest route to increase the fare.  

Common around: across the country.

2. Free Stuff Scams

This scam is quite prevalent in different parts of Switzerland where scammers offer, sometimes force to keep pieces of stuff like friendship bracelets or any souvenir. Later, they demand money for those free items or pickpocket you while you are distracted in the conflict. 

Common around: Geneva and Zurich

3. Pickpocketing

Tourists face the problem of pickpocketing while they travel to any crowded place in Switzerland. Scammers will first try to distract you by bumping into you or asking for some location. 

Meanwhile, you will be busy with one of them, and the other member of this scammer group will rob your wallet, purse, or any other valuable items. 

Common around: Across the country

4. Bonneteau

This is one of the age-old tourist scams in Switzerland, where the scammers play a game called bonnetaur or cup 'n' ball game. There, one person from the group will show many tricks with cups and balls and ask tourists which cup has the ball. 

While the tourists will be busy guessing and will be distracted, another scammer present in the crowd will empty your pockets. 

Common around: Across the country

5. Scam by Fake Police

Being a popular scam in Switzerland, mostly in Geneva, scammers disguised as policemen con tourists by randomly asking them to show their wallets. Though the rate of this scam has been reduced due to the strict intervention of the Swiss police, tourists must be careful and should call or directly visit the nearby police station if a scammer asks them to show their wallet and claims to be a policeman. 

Common around: Geneva

6. Free Hugs

Free Hugs Campaigns are popular in Switzerland. However, tourists must be extra careful of any random person asking for free hugs. The chances of a wallet getting rifled are high in such scenarios when distracted by this warm gesture by a stranger. 

Hence, it is ideal to dodge the plan whenever a stranger approaches for free hugs. 

Common around: Zurich and Geneva

7. Donation or Sign the Petition Scam

Sign the petition or fake donation scams are widely popular, and scammers keep on looting tourists in the name of social cause or charity. Different tourist parts of Switzerland and Zurich have these scams; however, much has been controlled by the intervention of police and authorities.

Common around: Zurich

8. Hotel Booking Scams

Being quite a prevalent scam in Switzerland, the receptionists at the hotel may tell you that your accommodation has been cancelled or the hotel is overbooked. However, it becomes hectic to find another hotel at the last minute if you are visiting during the peak season. 

Taking advantage of this situation, the receptionist suggests that one or two high-priced rooms are available and will end up overcharging you. 

Common around: Across the country

9. ATM Scam

ATM scam is one of the most famous tourist scams in Switzerland, as reported by tourists. Scammers will malfunction the card insert slot, which will make the card stuck once you insert the card. 

In this situation, most tourists leave the machine and go out to seek assistance. Scammers take advantage of this situation and rob the card. 

Common around: city areas 

The authorities and the Indian Embassy in Switzerland offer a plethora of assistance to these tourists in any emergencies. In addition to this, it is quintessential to obtain Travel Insurance for Switzerland, which will offer assistance in any type of unfavourable situation. 

Furthermore, along with the insurance policy, tourists must follow the below-mentioned tips to combat any tourist scams in Switzerland: 

• Before booking your accommodations, choose a reliable website in Switzerland. You can also read reviews from authentic pages and check their online reputation. Furthermore, you can get assistance from any professional travel agency to ensure the avoidance of booking to any scammer. 

• Avoid keeping cash or cards in hotel rooms' tables or wardrobes. Instead, keep them in safe baggage where you can keep a close eye. Moreover, if you have pickpocketed in a foreign country, your Travel insurance offering financial emergency cash will protect you monetarily. 

• While in public or restaurants, avoid over-friendly people and restrict others from indulging in unnecessary chit-chats with them. Also, immediately decline the offer to visit the pubs or bars made by any stranger. 

• Always ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter before starting the ride. Also, ensure you have turned on Google Maps and see the shortest route to reach your destination. 

• While walking or exploring busy streets or tourist places, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, as this may increase the chance of theft. 

• Keeping all your travel documents safe while travelling in Switzerland is quintessential. However, if you lose your passport or any other document essential for travelling, immediately inform the Embassy of India, Berne in Switzerland. 

While travelling to Switzerland, it is important to have knowledge about emergency helpline numbers in case of any crisis. The police forces and government of Switzerland are helpful and offer a myriad of assistance to travellers. 

Furthermore, the Embassy of India in Switzerland is always available to help you through any emergencies. 

Before you travel to this country, here is a list of helpline numbers that you must keep close: 

• Embassy of India, Berne, Switzerland: +41 31 350 1130

• International Emergencies: 112

• Fire: 118

• Police: 117

• Medical/Ambulance: 144

• Air Rescue: 1414

• Children Emergencies: 147

• Anonymous Crisis Line: 143

• Swiss Federal Police: +41 58 463 11 23

• Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs: +41 800 24 73 65

To conclude, Switzerland is an astounding tourist destination offering a wide abundance of vibrance, adventure, and excitement, which is worthy of remembrance. However, by staying alert and taking all the necessary precautions, tourists can be far from any trouble or scams in Switzerland.