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Paris scams: Common tourist traps and how to avoid them in 2026
Learn how to spot common Paris scams and protect your belongings. Read our guide to stay safe and navigate the city with confidence.
Paris scams can quickly become a nuisance for travellers who simply want to enjoy their time in a new city. The good news is they aren’t elaborate cons. Most Paris scams are predictable, like gold ring tricks, petition clipboards, and friendship bracelets — all easily avoidable with basic awareness.
Overall, Paris is still a very safe destination for most visitors. This guide covers the most common scams in Paris, how to recognize a scam artist in action, and the overall safety tips for travellers. To avoid getting caught in a Paris scam, we also cover how staying connected with Holafly’s eSIM for France will help.
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The most common tourist scams in Paris
Naturally, you’ll find most street scams in Paris near major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and the Louvre. Knowing what to watch for makes them easy to dodge and warn other oblivious tourists.
The petition/clipboard scam 📋
In this Paris scam, you’ll see groups of mostly young people carrying clipboards approach visitors near the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, or the Louvre. They pretend to work for charities for deaf-mute children or environmental causes and ask if you speak English.
Two things can happen here if you engage, show interest, or sign the petition.
- They’ll attempt to distract you by holding the clipboard directly above your belongings while an accomplice picks your purse, backpack, or pockets.
- They begin demanding cash donations starting at €5.
How to avoid the petition scam in Paris: Do not stop, make eye contact, or engage with the people holding the petitions. Instead, walk straight past and give a firm “no” if they ask if you speak English.
The gold ring scam 💍
Here’s how this scam goes, in most cases: A person walking ahead of you will pretend to pick up a thick gold ring from the ground right in front of you. They’ll try to make it seem like you dropped it or ask if it belongs to you.
When you say it’s not yours, two things can happen:
- They’ll claim it’s made of real gold and offer to sell it to you for a “bargain” price of €20 or €50. The ring is actually made of brass, worth almost nothing.
- They might claim that this is a lucky omen, or porte-bonheur.
If you accept the ring or even touch it, they immediately switch up and may demand money for a reward, and are often very persistent. In some cases, they might attempt to pickpocket your belongings if you appear oblivious to your surroundings.
How to avoid the gold ring scam in Paris: Ignore any such persons, and do not accept gifts or grab anything dropped on the ground.
The friendship bracelet or string scam 📿
You’ll typically find this Paris scam on the stairs leading up to Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. It’s also known as the “string scam” in Paris and can occur elsewhere, such as in Egypt. Here’s what happens:
A few guys will approach you, offering a “free” friendship bracelet or, in other cases, asking to perform a quick magic trick. Before you can decline, they grab your wrist and place the tight string bracelet around your finger or arm. Once on, they refuse to cut it off and demand money (usually around €20).
Some may try to follow you and be very persistent about payment.
It’s also commonly used as a ploy to distract you while a fellow scammer pick-pockets your belongings.
How to avoid the friendship bracelet or string scam in Paris: Keep your hands in your pockets when walking through Montmartre, and shout a loud “NO!” if anyone reaches out for your hand.
Taxi scams in Paris 🚕
Unlicensed drivers often hang around arrivals at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports asking travelers if they need a taxi. Official Paris taxi drivers do not walk inside terminal buildings trying to find passengers.
How to spot a taxi scam in Paris: Fake taxis lack an illuminated roof sign or a taximeter, charging unaware tourists up to €100 for a ride into the city center.
What to do instead: Join the official taxi line outside the terminal, or book a ride through apps like Uber, G7, Bolt, and Free Now.
Metro and ticket scams 🚇
Unfortunately, there are a couple of Paris metro scam types. These usually happen at busy train stations like Gare du Nord or Châtelet. Scammers wear official-looking lanyards and linger near public transportation ticket machines.
1. Fake tickets: Some scammers offer to “help” you with buying tickets, switch your ticket type, buy overpriced passes, and demand a tip for their help.
2. Fake transit inspectors: These scammers stop travellers on platforms or station corridors, asking to inspect tickets. They usually target unsuspecting tourists and demand an immediate cash fine.
3. Turnstile pickpockets: Some pickpockets operate exclusively in crowded public transport areas. Someone may attempt to block you right as you pass the turnstile so an accomplice can steal your belongings.
How to avoid Paris metro scams:
- Ignore unsolicited help: Never let any stranger touch your wallet, phone, or credit card.
- Ask to see official ID: Real RATP officers wear uniforms and carry official identification badges.
- Always validate your tickets properly: Keep your ticket scanned until you exit, and hold onto paper tickets for the entire journey.
- Familiarize yourself with Paris’ public transport system: This will help you avoid ticket scams at busy stations. You’ll know exactly which passes you need before purchasing at ticket machines.
Airbnb and booking scams 🏨
This Paris scam may occur before you even arrive at your destination. Fake apartment and accommodation listings are increasing day by day, so here’s how to spot a Paris Airbnb and booking scam:
- You’ll see pictures of luxury Parisian apartments that don’t match unusually low prices.
- Scammers try to convince you to transfer money outside the booking platform or ask for wire payments.
- Newly created host profiles with zero reviews are typically accounts created to scam people.
Pickpocketing in Paris 🦹
Pickpocketing is very common in busy areas like Metro Line 1, the Latin Quarter, and around the Eiffel Tower or Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Here are some quick tips to avoid being pickpocketed in Paris:
- Keep your wallet, cash, and phone safe and carry your bag zipped in front of you.
- Place valuable items in inside jacket pockets instead of back pockets or backpacks.
- Never put your phone on a cafe table while sitting outdoors, especially while busy talking to a friend or reading the menu.
- Stay alert on crowded public transportation.
If you really want to maximize protection against pickpocketing, make sure your Paris packing list includes anti-theft bags and coats with secure inner zip pockets.
Is Paris safe for tourists right now?
Yes, Paris is safe for visitors, and violent crime against travelers is rare. The overall theft rate in Paris is fuelled by petty scammers and pickpockets in crowded places. You’ll also see most of Paris’ scams replicated across major European cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Prague, including fake petitions, shell games, and taxi overcharging.
While staying aware of your surroundings is essential, preparing the rest of your trip with a comprehensive Paris travel guide ensures a smooth, stress-free experience.
What to do if you’ve been scammed in Paris
If you fall victim to a scam in Paris or petty theft during your trip, here’s what to do:
- Report to the local authorities: Visit the nearest French police station and file an official report for stolen items or even physical threats. You can also file online via the French interior ministry’s Ma Sécurité portal if it was a property theft or a scam for which the perpetrator is unknown.
- Contact your bank immediately: If your bank card/information gets stolen, freeze all uncompromised cards immediately through your banking app or hotline.
- Notify travel insurance: Document all claims and hold onto police report copies to submit claims for stolen cash or possessions.
Top tip: Appearing confident outwardly can help shut down unwanted approaches, especially if you are traveling alone in Paris.
Stay safe and connected in Paris
Having unlimited, high-speed, and reliable mobile data will help you verify information on the go, look up fixed and regulated taxi fares, explore the top things to do in Paris, and avoid scams in Paris altogether.
A Holafly eSIM for France keeps you connected the moment you arrive. Every eSIM plan includes unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, 5G speeds, and Always On monthly backup data of 1 GB at no extra cost, so you never lose connection wherever you travel.
All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone to download and activate your eSIM profile.
Match your eSIM to your vacation
Choose a plan lasting between 1 and 90 days so you never pay for days or data you don't use.
FAQs about scams in Paris
The top three scams in Paris include petition clipboard scams, friendship bracelet scams, and fake gold ring scams.
Five current scams in Paris that many fall victim to include airport taxi overcharging, fake metro ticket assistants, petition clipboards, friendship bracelets, and fake apartment listings.
Yes, it is safe for tourists in Paris. But traveling to a new destination requires you to stay aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas and on public transport.
Plans that may interest you
Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
