Scam in GermanyOn the street
Souvenir passport-stamp booths in Germany
How it works
Booths offer to stamp your passport for a small fee. These are souvenir stamps, not official government stamps, and they could invalidate your passport.
Warning signs
- A sightseeing booth offers to stamp your passport.
- The stamp is sold as a souvenir.
How to avoid it
- Do not hand over your current passport for a souvenir stamp.
- Use a small souvenir booklet or an expired passport if you want the stamp.
If it happens to you
Contact your embassy or passport authority for advice before further travel.
- Move somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or continue an argument.
- Check what is missing. Block stolen cards and secure any affected accounts immediately.
- Save receipts, transaction records and messages. Write down the time, place and what happened.
- Report the incident to police. Call 110 for urgent police help, or 112 for a medical emergency or fire.
- Contact your embassy or passport authority if your passport was stolen or given an unofficial stamp.
- Contact your insurer and card issuer where relevant. Keep the police report details and copies of your evidence.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- TripadvisorCheckpoint Charlie Questions & AnswersHi ! I would like to know if it's true that we... - Checkpoint CharlieVisitors describe paid souvenir stamps at Checkpoint Charlie, with several warning that unofficial stamps could jeopardize passport acceptance.Read on Tripadvisor
- Travel blog2019Do You Pull Stickers Off Your Passport? How About Fake Stamps?The author describes meeting someone who obtained souvenir border stamps at Checkpoint Charlie and questions putting these unofficial markings in a passport.Read on Travel blog
- Travel blog2024Here's Why You Should Never Put A Souvenir Stamp On Your PassportThe article identifies Checkpoint Charlie as a souvenir-stamp location and warns that unofficial passport markings can cause validity problems.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the souvenir passport-stamp booths scam in Germany?
Booths offer to stamp your passport for a small fee. These are souvenir stamps, not official government stamps, and they could invalidate your passport.
How can I spot it early?
A sightseeing booth offers to stamp your passport. The stamp is sold as a souvenir.
How do I avoid souvenir passport-stamp booths in Germany?
Do not hand over your current passport for a souvenir stamp. Use a small souvenir booklet or an expired passport if you want the stamp.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Contact your embassy or passport authority for advice before further travel.
Where in Germany does this happen?
Near Checkpoint Charlie. It has been reported in Berlin.
How common is this scam in Germany?
Occasional. Germany is generally very safe, and crime rates are low. Visitors should mainly watch for pickpockets in busy places, false appeals for money in Berlin, and costly ATM or currency exchange offers. Near Checkpoint Charlie, souvenir passport stamps can also cause serious travel problems.
Are there similar scams in Germany?
Yes: false appeal for money to travel home.
Who can I report it to?
Police: approach an officer or patrol, or report the incident at a police station. Call 110 for an urgent police emergency. Officers generally understand at least basic English or can find a colleague who does. Federal police (Bundespolizei): approach federal police for incidents at airports, train stations and border crossings, where they are responsible for policing. Card issuer or bank: use your bank's official app or verified contact number to block stolen cards and report unauthorised transactions. Embassy or passport authority: use official contact details for help with a stolen passport or advice about an unofficial passport stamp. Foreign nationals who are arrested can also contact their embassy. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, police report details and evidence of the loss.
What number do I call in an emergency in Germany?
Police emergency: 110, Medical emergencies and fire: 112.
Reviewed by @snuck