Scams to look out for in Rome, Italy

Pay attention! 👀

Big Crowd Pickpocketing

Going to a heavy-traffic tourist area like the Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon? Hold on to your belongings for dear life. The crowds at these places are almost shoulder-to-shoulder, so you won’t even notice if someone grabbed your wallet, phone, or anything else of value. I recommend purchasing a pouch that zips and has a strap to put around your neck. This way, you can hide it under your shirt when you feel unsafe or too crowded. 

Are you from Africa?

Many experienced scammers in Rome will try to catch you off guard in conversation. They know that “Will you buy my low-quality necklace” won’t get much of a response out of you, so they ask questions like the title. I was almost caught off guard by an individual asking me if I was also from Africa. I remember from another study abroad course in India, however, to not acknowledge solicitors and just kept walking. If I had stopped, been confused, and engaged in conversation, then I would have left there with a wallet stolen or a new item I did not want to buy.

Train station

Lost at a train station? Maybe don’t ask a worker for help. Yes, you read that right. That worker who you think you can trust might just put his or her hand out after giving you “guidance” and demand a tip. The two friends I went with might have given her some coins, but I fortunately only had one Euro cent on me, so she wasn’t getting anything out of me

No, those workers are not going to tell you upfront that they will help you but only for money. However, they will wait until they barely help you and then inform you that you owe them money.

Roses 🌹

Trust me, no one is giving you a rose for free – I do not care how nice they are. You will pay for that rose one way or another. In fact, just ignore the people and continue walking or repeatedly tell them nothing but no as you leave their vicinity. Be aware of the places you eat at too. If it has an English name, then you can assume its a tourist trap, and these rose artists might walk in while you are eating and try to sell you one.

Outdoor seating

This one might not be so much of a scam as it is just flat-out misleading. However, some coffee shops, for example, in the heart of Rome will have different prices for their to-go coffee and dine-in coffee. We found this out the hard way as we ordered our coffee inside and then sat at the tables outside when a “host” approached us in shock, telling us that we were not allowed to sit out there unless we paid 5 Euros! We felt as if we should have been going to jail because of the way he reacted to us out there.

Some locals and businesses prey on foreigners who clearly don’t speak Italian or know differences like these.

Nonetheless, don't let these circumstances stop you from visiting a city like Rome. Just make sure that you are an attentive traveler and aware of your surroundings.