Traveler offers tips for avoiding ‘the 2 most common scams’ in Florence, Italy
One woman is cautioning travelers about two popular scams in Florence, Italy.
On June 18, Fiona (@findingfiona), a “luxury travel influencer,” took to TikTok to share what she claims are “the two most common scams” in Florence.
“Do not fall for this scam when you’re in Italy,” Fiona begins. “These guys put paintings on the floor in super busy areas, and if you step on them, they will demand for payment.”
Fiona advises travelers to do one of two things should they step on the “paintings” and be pestered to pay.
“Either say you’ll pay them in front of the police or run away,” she suggests.
Katy Clarke, the founder and host of travel podcast Untold Italy, discussed this exact scam on a February 2023 episode.
“A scam in Florence particularly is a street artist accusing you of walking over or damaging their sidewalk art and asking for cash in compensation. Most people haven’t, of course, done that, and any legitimate artist has usually cleared a big space around the piece that they’re working on,” she explains. “We tend not to carry much cash – if any, these days as do many which makes cash scams more difficult for scammers but they can try to get you to go to the ATM – don’t and go straight to the nearest police.”
The second scam Fiona witnessed while in Florence involves “free” bracelets.
“Somebody will come up to you, introduce themselves and then give you a free bracelet,” she explains. “But the bracelet isn’t actually free. After he ties it on your hand, he will demand for payment. They’re really pushy. They’re really aggressive.”
Added Fiona, “So just decline, decline, decline before it gets there.”
Clarke corroborates Fiona’s suggestion, too. The act of putting on a bracelet may also be a diversion tactic that could lead to pickpocketing.
“Bracelets, roses, or anything free is a huge red flag that they are actually going to demand/expect payment,” she writes. “If this happens resolve to be firm but kind. We tend to remind ourselves that we are part of the lucky 2% of people in the world who travels internationally for pleasure, but this can feel intrusive, is annoying plus sometimes this scam is also part of a pickpocketing effort – the best thing to do is say ‘Basta!’ which means “no/enough” very firmly (but not rudely) and they usually go away.”
‘This happened to me a handful of times’
Since posting, Fiona’s video has more than 10.4 million views and 1.1 million likes. TikTok creators who’ve encountered these scams are sharing their experiences in Fiona’s comment section. Users are also claiming that these practices can happen outside of Florence or Italy, too.
“Once in greece i was walking with my mum suddenly a man grapped my by my hand and put a bracelet on my hand i thought i was getting kidnapped,” @lee..brownie.felix replied.
“As soon as they put the bracelet on, run or walk away,” @rhynoiscool_.99 advised.
“This happened to me a handful of times. I’ve been put a rose in my hand, a bracelet in my hand, a selfie stick in my hand!! lol DECLINE!” @cynthiaangelic wrote.
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