Scam in AustriaOn the street
Unwanted gift followed by a payment demand in Austria
How it works
Someone insists on handing you a rose, magazine or another item. After you accept it, they demand payment. Genuine Augustin magazine sellers wear a badge and should not be confused with this trick.
Warning signs
- Someone insists that you take an item.
- A magazine seller has no badge.
- Payment is demanded after the item is handed over.
How to avoid it
- Do not accept items you do not want to buy.
- Shake your head and say "Nein danke".
- Keep walking if the person persists.
- Look for a badge if you want to buy Augustin.
If it happens to you
Return the item if you can do so calmly and safely, then walk away. Seek police help if you feel threatened.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or argue with a group.
- Block missing payment cards through your card issuer. Secure your phone and accounts if your phone was stolen.
- Write down what happened, where and when. Save receipts, messages and transaction details.
- Report the scam or theft to the police. Call 133 if you need urgent police help.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Tell any rental company if rented property is missing.
- Contact your bank and travel insurer about recovery or a claim. Keep the police report and other evidence.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the unwanted gift followed by a payment demand scam in Austria?
Someone insists on handing you a rose, magazine or another item. After you accept it, they demand payment. Genuine Augustin magazine sellers wear a badge and should not be confused with this trick.
How can I spot it early?
Someone insists that you take an item. A magazine seller has no badge. Payment is demanded after the item is handed over.
How do I avoid unwanted gift followed by a payment demand in Austria?
Do not accept items you do not want to buy. Shake your head and say "Nein danke". Keep walking if the person persists. Look for a badge if you want to buy Augustin.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Return the item if you can do so calmly and safely, then walk away. Seek police help if you feel threatened.
Where in Austria does this happen?
Crowded train stations and the city centre in Vienna. It has been reported in Vienna.
How common is this scam in Austria?
Common. Austria is generally very safe, but theft and street scams can still catch visitors out. Watch your belongings in crowds, lock bicycles carefully, and be cautious of street gambling, unwanted gifts and people claiming to be police.
Are there similar scams in Austria?
Yes: rigged hiding-the-ball street game, requests for train-ticket money.
Who can I report it to?
Federal police — Polizei: report scams and theft at a police station. Call 133 for urgent police help. For a serious crime report in Vienna, ask for an English-speaking officer if needed. Police station at Karlsplatz U-Bahn station: if someone claiming to be police approaches you around Karlsplatz, ask to continue the check at this station. Card issuer: use your issuer's official app or phone number to block stolen cards and report disputed transactions. PayLife: the listed number for blocking lost or stolen credit cards is 05 990 645 00. You can also contact your own card issuer directly. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is lost or stolen. Travel insurer: contact your insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, evidence and your police report.
What number do I call in an emergency in Austria?
Police: 133, Ambulance / rescue: 144, Fire department: 122, PayLife lost or stolen credit-card blocking: 05 990 645 00.
Reviewed by @snuck