It doesn’t matter how much you travel or how savvy you think you are, people are always coming up with new ways to scam tourists out of their money. There are tourist scams in Spain just like in any other major destination, so it’s good to be aware of them before you make the trip.
Falling prey to one of these scams can really ruin a holiday, and even though we know about these scams, we are more relaxed on holiday and can let our guards down. I live in Spain, in Madrid and spend a lot of time in the city center. I have been approached by the dodgy street vendors, the women offering me a branch and a prayer in exchange for money. I have even been standing there watching once and witnessed some pickpockets and pointed them out to the police.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a way to eradicate Scams in Spain ,or in any major city for that matter. So, the best we can do is be aware of them and do our best to reduce the possibility of it happening to us. I will tell you about the most common tourist Scams in Spain so you can steer clear and avoid a having a bad memory on your trip to Spain.
15 Scams in Spain you need to know about
The Fake Police Officer Scam in Spain:
This scam is not all that common, but it can and does happen. Uniformed police have a large presence on the streets, but they also have a lot of police not in uniform. If you are ever approached by someone saying they are the police and asking to see your documents, ask for proof. If not, they will grab your wallet and run off when you get it out.
The Rosemary Scam in Spain
This is the most common scams in Madrid, an in most popular Spanish cities. Usually in the busier districts, older women will walk up and thrust a branch of rosemary in your hand and ask for some money in exchange for the good luck it will bring you. Some of them will talk really fast and start telling your fortune, grabbing your hands, distracting you.
Steer clear of these women, as they can be distracting you whilst someone else is picking your pocket. You might take the branch and they cause a scene when you don’t want to give them any money. So when you see an outstretched hand with a little branch just swerve around and avoid eye contact.
The Friendly Stranger Offering Unwanted Help:
This is most commonly going to happen when you pull up to your accommodation or hotel. You might get approached by someone offering to help with the luggage. Just politely say no and take them yourself or call for the hotel staff.
The Overpriced Taxi Fare Scam in Spain:
Taxis in Madrid are legally obliged to have their meter on at al times. If you ever get into a Taxi and are asked for the money upfront, or told that the meter is not working, just get out and flag down the next taxi. It could be a real taxi driver running a scam, or worse an unlicensed taxi driver which brings with it more dangers.
I got in a taxi in Lavapies once in the early hours of the morning. I never realized until I got home and asked how much that the meter was off. I paid the fee because it was about the same amount I would have paid if the meter were on, but realized I had put myself in possible danger. So, be careful and look out for the signs of the Taxi scams.
The Unlicensed Tour Guide Trap:
If you like taking tours when you visit cities, just be sure to book with a reputable company. If you are approached on the street and offered a tour, you may find that the price is pretty high, and you don’t just want to trust a stranger. There are a lot of free walking tours in Spain, and you can check the reviews before you book to make sure you have a good time
The “Found” Ring or Jewelry Trick:
You will see someone walk out in front of you in a rush and they will drop something of value. They will disappear into the crowd, and someone will pick it up then approach you with an offer to buy it for a small price. In many cases it is fake jewelry or a stolen phone. Just avoid buying thins from people on the street in all cases.
The Restaurant Menu Switch:
If you are going to be eating at a restaurant in a hot spot in town, be careful when you are ordering off the menu. If you get a menu that just has pictures and no prices, hats the warning sign. Ask for a full menu with the prices, or you may be surprised when you get the bill.
I had a couple of drinks with a friend in Plaza Mayor once, and for four drinks we paid close to €25, and this is way over the price you would normally pay for a few drinks in any bar in Madrid. But we also never asked for a menu with prices, so our own fault.
The Ticket Scam at Popular Attractions:
Purchase tickets directly from official sources or authorized vendors to avoid counterfeit or overpriced tickets. Avoid buying from random individuals or unofficial online platforms. People will go to great lengths to sell you a fake ticket, print them, rough them up a bit so you can’t tell. For the sake of a few euros, don’t go losing a stack of cash.
The Fake Ticket Inspector Scam in Spain:
If you are ever approached by a ticket inspector on the train and they single you out, this is probably the scam. When inspectors check passenger tickets, especially on the Madrid Metro, what will happen is they will line up with the security guards at the turnstiles. As you walk past, you will have to tap your travel card on their little device, and if it flashes green, off you go with the rest of your day.
The ¨can I take your picture¨ Scam in Spain:
So this sounds super obvious right, and you would never fall for it. Lets say you are standing in front of a popular Landmark with a group and a very well dressed person stops and smile, then offers to take your picture.
Perception is everything here because if the person looks untidy you are taken aback, but a guy dressed in a suit, surely not.
Before you know it, tie flailing in the win, the guy is running off down the street with your phone. So, get a selfie stick, use a timer, but don’t hand your phone to a stranger, unless you think you can run faster.
The Trojan case scam in Spain
This one seems a little far fetched, but it has been reported on coach trips in Spain. Someone will smuggle a suitcase wit someone hidden inside it, and the case is loaded into the coach hold. As the bus is moving, they will get out of the case, take anything of value from the other cases, and when the coach stops they get back in the case and removed from the hold.
If you are going on a coach trip in Spain, then make sure you lock your suitcase so no one can tamper, and if they do it’s obvious as soon as you get to your case.
The fake restaurant voucher Scam in Spain
This is a pretty common tourist Scam in Madrid where I live. It seems innocent enough. You see someone handing out fliers with a discount coupon in exchange for a couple of euros. It’s not a lot of money, so you feel like its legit. Who would go through all that trouble for €2.
Well, you find out when you go to present the voucher at the end of your meal that it is actually fake. It doesn’t break the bank, but its still an annoyance, and has you walking the streets in anger trying to find the little Sh!t that sold it to you. Just avoid this all together, get an account on Thefork.com and look for valid coupons.
Common Tourist Scams In Madrid
I live in Madrid, and work right in the center off Gran Via. I walk through the busy shopping and bar district of Madrid almost every day. I am so familiar with the scams and scammers, I actually know their faces and recognize them. They are always about in the busy areas asking for money with a sign and a sob story, or trying to sell you some odd item.
The most popular spots for the scammers in Madrid is around the squares, big and small. There are a lot of squares around the Malasaña and Chueca neighborhoods, and they congregate in these areas a lot. But they don’t do any of their trickery here, that’s done on the busy streets and parks. Let me tell you of a few scams in Madrid you want to be on the lookout for.
Three Card Monte Scam in Madrid
We all know this one, where they have three cards and ask you to find the Ace of spades, or any other card of their choosing. We know its slight of hand and a scam, but people still fall for it. It doesn’t have to be cads, it can be a bean in a cup, a ball under a bowl. If you come across one of these setups, stand back and watch. You will see the plants, the scammers friends who win from time to time to fool you in to playing.
You see a few people lose, a few win (the winners are all part of the scam) and you fancy your chances and put a €20 down, then another, then you try and catch up. Before you know it you are out of €100 and not sure what even happened. As soon as they make a little money, they just grab the cardboard box and go set up somewhere else. If you really want to have the casino experience, Madrid has a number of casinos you can go an gamble in. You are still at a disadvantage, but at least they give you a drink with it.
Pickpockets on the Subway in Madrid
This is going to be common no matter where you go, and Madrid is no different. I will say though this does not happen on the Madrid Metro network as a whole, but in the busier areas.
If you get on the Metro during rush hour some of the main lines can be really busy. Add some summer heat to that, and you are too flustered to even notice someone brushing up against you and swiping your wallet. So be careful with your belonging in crowded places.
The Football Scam In Madrid
So this is going to be targeting the younger travelers. You might be walking through a park, or a square, and a group of shifty looking teens invite you to play some ball with them. In the hustle and bustle of playing a game, they will remove your belongings and pretty much just run off and leave you there. So, as your parents always said, don’t play with strangers.
So these are the more well known scams you can come across in Spain. Of course, there are more scams out there we don’t know about. Criminals do what they do, and come up with more ways to trick people out of there money. Do your best to stay safe, keep your belongings as safe as you can and always know where you are. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t let it take over your holiday, but a little extra caution won’t hurt.
FAQ’s
How can I keep my personal and financial information safe while traveling in Spain?
If you are staying at a hotel in Madrid, you will probably have a safe in the room and can store your important stuff there. In Spain, you are required to have ID on you at all times, so have a bag with a zip. If you carry a backpack, carry it to the front, this way your hands are always close to the bag, and no one can get to it without you noticing.
Are there any areas in Madrid to avoid?
I can’t speak to the whole of Spain, but as far as Madrid where I live, I would stay away from parks late at night, like Casa de Campo, Retiro. As anywhere in the world, parks are closed in the evenings, and some not so nice people might think it an opportunity to take advantage of a tourist. Best to stay in public places late at night.
How can I avoid falling victim to unlicensed tour guides in Spain?
There are so many good tour operators, you just don’t need to accept a random person coming up and offering you a tour with no proof of authenticity. Check out Civitatis and Viator for some of the best paid and free tours in Spain.
How can I identify a legitimate taxi in Madrid?
Taxis in Madrid are white, and have a green light on the front when available. They also have their license clearly displayed in the taxi and usually on the windshield. Taxis also have their own parking spots around the city, and line up waiting for passengers.
If you can’t find a cab, though this is unlikely because there are Taxi’s everywhere, use and app of your choice to call a private car. Always better to be safe.
Conclusion
The best you can do is be aware as much as possible. You are on holiday after all, so a few drinks a little too early, and you behave a little less cautious. What I do is carry a messenger bag I can have to the front that has zips and internal pockets. I keep my money and ID in the same place all the time so it becomes a habit to make sure they are always with me.
When I am in a busy area, I tend to walk closer to the wall or the storefronts where its less likely someone can walk and brush up against you. If you are on the metro sitting down, have your stuff in a bag on your lap. If you are standing up, lean up against the wall so you can see everything. It’s all about minimizing risk, but knowing where the risks are so you can be aware of them to prevent them.
I hope this information can help you stay safe on your trip to Spain you have a great time.