Tourists in Italy warned of scams

Author Message   Lester Green Advanced Member Username: Rtgreen5 Post Number: 328 Registered: 03-2007 Posted From: 24.60.242.66 Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 02:55 pm:    So what else is new--this stuff has been going on for years and possibly increased since several European countries have open borders. I remember that on a trip to Amsterdam a few years back, we were warned by our landlord to be watchful for these thieves at the local open market. So I instructed my wife not to take out a wad of money when she was paying for an item, but only use a separated bill in the closest denomination to what she was purchasing at the stall. I stood back and noticed that there was a guy with a cell phone observing a certain area closely and that if he, by chance, was involved with the thieves, he could target certain tourists and contact his buddies who could wait for them to stroll alone to another stall and bump and run with their purse or wallet. Some of my friends have been victimized in this way and have lost their wallets or knapsacks while on a trip. So the answer is not to take anything of value with you when you travel and safeguard your funds and passport in a waist band or neck wallet tucked under your shirt. I am in my 70's and over the years I have had 3 losses of valuables in my travels. If I had followed my own current safeguarding rules, I would have had none.   Earl Senior Member Username: Myramstein Post Number: 806 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 173.120.13.40 Posted on Friday, June 18, 2010 - 01:58 pm:    Just take extra precautions and beware of your surroundings. Last month while in Seville, Madrid and Lisbon I spoke with other Americans who lost their wallets, cameras, purses, etc. Talked with space-a paxs at the Rota terminal. One woman, who comes on this board often, had her purse stolen on the beach. She and her husband were watching it but these guys managed to get it anyway. Nikon cameras are hot item in Spain and Portugal. If you have a Nikon D90, D5000 etc strongly suggest you replace the Nikon strap that has huge yellow NIKON on it, with a plain black one. There is a web page where you can buy them and reinforced straps. Few Americans I talked with in Lisbon, Seville and Madrid "donated" their Nikons. The guys who grab and run will not waste time on a camera that does not have the yellow NIKON on the strap when they can grab the real thing. I go to Europe twice a year and never have had a problem. But I take many precautions.   Melinda Cardarelli Senior Member Username: Jmcard Post Number: 466 Registered: 06-2007 Posted From: 72.49.218.166 Posted on Friday, June 18, 2010 - 12:01 pm:    Al--we'll do that...why not? Thanks for the idea.   Al Lo Cascio Intermediate Member Username: Sandyone Post Number: 139 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 69.68.245.56 Posted on Friday, June 18, 2010 - 11:47 am:    While in Italy buy an Italian Newspaper. open the paper and upon leaving your car put the paper on the front seat opened'' The thieves will think an italian owns it or leases it, it worked for us in Sicily (catania)Never had a problem.Make sure the car is empty except for the paper''' AL   Melinda Cardarelli Senior Member Username: Jmcard Post Number: 464 Registered: 06-2007 Posted From: 72.49.218.166 Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 07:26 pm:    Good information--thanks. We plan to be in Northern Italy later this month. To those who rent cars in Italy: Is it worth it to pay for the maximum insurance? Europcar charges 16 euros extra per day to drop the 900 euro deductible to zero. Reading this article makes me think it would be worth the peace of mind but will add up to hundreds of dollars for us!   Earl Senior Member Username: Myramstein Post Number: 803 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 173.104.146.203 Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 02:11 pm:    Read article at http://www.stripes.com/news/europe/mediterranean/tourists-in-italy-warned-of-sca ms-1.107481 Same goes for Spain and Portugal. Especially Seville, Madrid and Lisbon: Gomez said that pickpockets are still a problem at many larger railroad stations around the country. And thieves continue to break into cars where valuables are left in plain sight, so people need to take precautions. “We don’t mean to scare anybody,” he said. “We just want to inform them.”