Scam in FranceShopping
Street souvenir touts in France
How it works
Street sellers approach visitors with cheap trinkets. These sales are described as illegal. Sellers may suddenly run when police appear, creating a rush around nearby visitors. This is a tout issue rather than a stated payment fraud.
Warning signs
- Roaming sellers approach you with cheap souvenirs.
- Sellers suddenly scatter when police appear.
How to avoid it
- Decline the sale and keep walking.
- Buy souvenirs from established shops.
- Give yourself space if sellers begin to run.
If it happens to you
Move clear of any sudden crowd movement and check your belongings.
- Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or start a fight. Call 17 or 112 if you are threatened or in immediate danger.
- Check what is missing. Contact your card issuer immediately to block stolen cards and flag payments you did not authorise.
- Secure affected accounts. If a phone or login code was stolen, change passwords and end unfamiliar sessions.
- Save evidence. Keep receipts, screenshots, messages, booking details and any driver or vehicle number.
- Report the incident to police. Ask for a report reference or written record for your bank or insurer.
- Contact your insurer and, if travel documents were stolen, your embassy or consulate. For a disputed Marseille taxi fare, take the driver's number to the Tourist's Office at 11, La Canebière.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the street souvenir touts scam in France?
Street sellers approach visitors with cheap trinkets. These sales are described as illegal. Sellers may suddenly run when police appear, creating a rush around nearby visitors. This is a tout issue rather than a stated payment fraud.
How can I spot it early?
Roaming sellers approach you with cheap souvenirs. Sellers suddenly scatter when police appear.
How do I avoid street souvenir touts in France?
Decline the sale and keep walking. Buy souvenirs from established shops. Give yourself space if sellers begin to run.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Move clear of any sudden crowd movement and check your belongings.
Where in France does this happen?
Tourist areas in Paris, especially Trocadéro, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. It has been reported in Paris.
How common is this scam in France?
Common. Pickpocketing and street scams are common concerns in France, especially in busy tourist areas and on public transport. Paris has several well-known tricks involving petitions, bracelets, tickets and bars; other risks include taxi overcharging, bag theft and drink-spiking.
Are there similar scams in France?
Yes: tourist shopping markups.
Who can I report it to?
Police: call 17 or 112 for a crime-related emergency. For a non-urgent scam or theft, visit a police station and bring any evidence. National Police generally serve urban areas; the National Gendarmerie serves the countryside. Card issuer or bank: use the bank's official app or contact number to block stolen cards and report charges you did not authorise. Ride-booking app: cancel and report a driver who asks for login codes. Request a refund of any cancellation fee and report rides booked without your permission. Marseille Tourist's Office: for taxi overcharging, take the driver's number to 11, La Canebière, near Le Vieux Port, and speak to a representative. Staff can help seek repayment. Paris taxi complaint handler: record the taxi number from the sticker on the left rear passenger window. Keep it with your receipt and journey details when making a complaint. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: report the loss through the insurer's official claims channel. Keep police records, receipts and evidence of the loss.
What number do I call in an emergency in France?
Police: 17, European emergency number: 112, Medical emergency: 15, Fire brigade: 18.
Reviewed by @snuck