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Some scams

Northern Africa

Tourist scams in Tunisia

Persistent sellers, unwanted guides and inflated bills are recurring problems for visitors to Tunisia. Theft is widely reported, including from hotel rooms, room safes and airports. Taxi overcharging and pressure to visit shops also need care.
  1. 1 On the streetCommonPersistent sellers and toutsSomeone repeatedly pushes you to buy something or accept their help. Some react badly when you refuse, making you feel pressured to pay.Tourist areas and shopping streets 1Read
  2. 2 TheftCommonPickpocketing and theft of belongingsThieves take wallets, purses and other valuables that are easy to reach. Displaying cash or carrying accessible valuables increases your exposure.Public placesRead
  3. 3 TheftCommonTheft from hotel rooms and room safesBelongings are stolen from rooms or room safes. A room safe alone does not guarantee that valuables are secure.Hotel rooms, including room safes 2Read
  4. 4 Food and drinkCommonInflated cafe and restaurant billsA waiter gives a total calculated in their head instead of an itemised bill. The amount may be higher than you owe. Some places also claim to have no menu, leaving prices unclear before you order.Cafes and restaurants 1Read
  5. 5 TaxisCommonTaxi overcharging and refusal to use the meterA driver quotes an inflated fare or avoids using the meter. Taxis outside expensive hotels in Tunis may quote two or three times the metered fare. Airport drivers may ask much more than the usual fare, especially at night.Tunis 2Read
  6. 6 TaxisCommonAirport taxi luggage pressureDrivers compete for passengers by grabbing luggage and putting it in their boot. The driver may then treat this as your agreement to take their taxi. The aim described is to win your business, rather than steal the bag.Tunis 1Read
  7. 7 On the streetCommonStreet friendship followed by demandsSomeone starts a friendly conversation, sometimes by asking for a cigarette, lighter or the time. Some teenagers invite male tourists to the cinema. Later, the new acquaintance asks for money, cigarettes or something else.Tunis 1Read
  8. 8 Tours and guidesCommonUnwanted guiding and fake guidesAn unofficial guide begins explaining a building or sight without being hired, then expects payment. Fake guides may also try to scam you or lead you somewhere less safe.Tunis 2Read
  9. 9 TheftOccasionalTheft at airportsBelongings are stolen at airports when travellers lose direct control of them.Airports 1Read
  10. 10 TaxisOccasionalTampered taxi metersSome taxi meters may have been altered, so using a meter does not always prevent an inflated charge.Tunis 3Read
  11. 11 ShoppingOccasionalCarpet-shop touts boarding incoming busesCarpet-shop touts board incoming buses and befriend tourists. The friendly approach is used to draw visitors into their shops.KairouanRead
  12. 12 ShoppingOccasionalMosque-view shop invitationsShops invite visitors inside for views over the mosque complex. The visit leads through the shop on the way out. A small donation may be expected if you buy nothing; this is a sales invitation, and does not by itself prove fraud.Kairouan 1Read
  13. 13 ShoppingOccasionalHigh shop prices near hotels and inflated opening quotesConvenient shops near hotels charge high prices. In the souq, a seller's first quote can be well above the price eventually accepted. High prices and bargaining are not automatically fraud, but visitors can pay more than necessary.Tunis 3Read
  14. 14 Airport and borderOccasionalDeparture dinar surrender without a receiptTaking Tunisian dinars out of the country is forbidden. Travellers found with remaining dinars after passport control may be told to return landside to exchange them, then asked to hand some or all of the money to a uniformed official instead. Refusal to provide a receipt makes this look like an unofficial payment.Tunis 1Read
  15. 15 Airport and borderOccasionalForeign currency returned short after a customs countCustoms agents may ask how much foreign currency you have and take you to a private office to count it. Travellers have reported receiving substantially less money back than they handed over.Airport customs checks after check-inRead

Where to stay alert

  • Tunis-Carthage AirportTaxi overcharging, possible tampered meters and drivers grabbing luggage to secure passengers are reported. Departure currency checks can also lead to demands to surrender dinars.
  • Avenue Habib Bourguiba, TunisStrangers may start friendly conversations or offer cinema invitations, then ask for money or cigarettes.
  • Tourist sights in TunisUnofficial guides may give unwanted explanations and expect payment, or try to lead visitors elsewhere.
  • Medina souq, TunisOpening prices can be much higher than accepted sale prices. Comparing sellers helps avoid paying too much.
  • Shops and taxi ranks outside expensive hotels, TunisNearby shops charge high prices, and waiting taxis may quote two or three times the metered fare.
  • Buses approaching KairouanCarpet-shop touts may board a few kilometres outside the city and befriend tourists to draw them into shops.
  • Shops near the main mosque, KairouanView invitations lead visitors through shops, with possible pressure to buy or leave a small donation.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Ask your hotel for a rough fare before taking a taxi.
  • Check that the meter starts and uses the right day or night setting.
  • Agree on private long-distance fares before leaving.
  • Keep your luggage until you have chosen a driver.

Money

  • Carry only the cash you need for your immediate plans.
  • Keep receipts from exchanging or withdrawing dinars.
  • Deal with leftover dinars before departure passport control.
  • Check menu prices and ask for an itemised paper bill before paying.
  • Compare shop prices before agreeing to a purchase.

Cards and ATMs

  • Carry one bank card if your reserves can be stored securely.
  • Shield your PIN and keep your card in sight when paying.
  • Keep your card issuer's contact details somewhere you can access without your wallet.

Your belongings

  • Keep wallets and phones out of easy reach.
  • Keep airport bags under direct supervision.
  • Avoid showing large amounts of cash.
  • Check your belongings before leaving a taxi, cafe or airport seating area.

Where you stay

  • Ask about a supervised hotel safe deposit.
  • Do not assume a room safe removes all risk of theft.
  • Store spare cards and reserve cash securely.
  • Tell hotel management promptly if anything goes missing.

Tours and guides

  • Choose guides deliberately and agree on the service and price first.
  • Decline unwanted guiding as soon as it starts.
  • Do not follow an unsolicited guide into an isolated area.
  • Ask about charges before accepting a shop's viewpoint invitation.

Police and officials

  • Know how much cash you have before an airport currency check.
  • Count money returned to you before leaving.
  • Ask for a receipt for any money retained.
  • Stay calm and ask for a supervisor if a discrepancy cannot be resolved.

What travellers say about Tunisia

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

How common are tourist scams in Tunisia?

Persistent selling, unwanted guiding and inflated restaurant bills are recurring complaints. Theft is also widely reported. Keep control of your bags, check prices and avoid accepting services you did not request.

How can I avoid being overcharged by a taxi?

Ask for the meter on city trips and check its setting. If a driver outside an expensive hotel refuses, choose another taxi. Agree on private long-distance fares before leaving.

What should I do if an airport driver grabs my luggage?

Ask for it back before agreeing to a journey. Some drivers use luggage handling to pressure you into taking their taxi. Seek airport staff help if your bag is not returned.

Can I trust a hotel room safe?

Theft has been reported from room safes as well as rooms. Ask about a supervised hotel safe deposit and avoid leaving valuables openly in your room.

How do I check a restaurant bill?

Check menu prices before ordering. Ask for a paper, itemised bill before paying, then check each item and the total. Do not rely on a total given from memory.

Do I owe money to someone who starts guiding me?

Unwanted guides may expect payment even when you did not hire them. Decline at the start. If you want a guide, agree on the service and price first.

Why might a friendly stranger later ask for money?

On Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis, some approaches start with a request for a cigarette, lighter or the time. Invitations can later turn into demands for cash or cigarettes. End the conversation if you feel pressured.

What should I know about carpet-shop invitations in Kairouan?

Touts may board incoming buses and befriend visitors to lead them into shops. Near the main mosque, a view invitation may also lead through a shop. Ask about charges and choose shopping visits yourself.

How can I avoid problems with cash at the airport?

Keep exchange and withdrawal receipts, and arrange to exchange leftover dinars before passport control. Know how much foreign cash you carry. If officials count it, check the amount returned before leaving.

What should I do first after a theft?

Get somewhere safe and freeze missing bank cards. Record what happened, keep evidence and report it to police. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen.

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