London, UK is usually considered a safe city for tourists. However, just like all the tourist hotspots, you won’t be safe from people trying to scam you out of your money. Continue reading to check out some of the most common tourist scams you should avoid while visiting London.
Charity Scam
You’ll be approached to give charity donations more than once when in London. While some of those charity requests will be genuine, others are complete scams that are trying to take advantage of well-hearted tourists. If you are thinking about giving some money to charity on the street, ask for identification and proof of legitimacy.
Fake Tickets for Shows
There is always something going on in London, whether it’s a concert, a theater play, a West End show, or something else. The scammers like to take advantage of this by offering fake tickets to tourists for a lower than usual price. They usually hang out around Leicester Square, but you’ll also find them in other parts of the city.
Counterfeit Luxury Items
You might encounter some cheap luxury items and goods on London markets for a reasonable price. But don’t think you had luck and found a great deal. In almost every case, that luxury good is counterfeit, and you are actually paying a lot more than they are worth.
ATM Scams
You should be very careful when using an ATM in London. It isn’t unusual for thieves to equip ATMs in tourist hotspots with a camera or fake readers, so they can get your card information and PIN.