Common Italian Scams That Are Deliciously Tempting, But You Should Avoid

Don't be an easy target on your next Italy trip...Italy: the land of dream vacations, breathtaking views, and tourist scams around every corner. Nothing ruins that trip you’ve been planning for years like knowing you were fleeced out of hundreds of euros. Sure, some tourist scams might only cost pocket change, but that’s cash you could have put toward a souvenir or pistachio cannoli. Just imagine how broken-hearted Nana will be when you tell her you couldn’t buy the Venetian apron she asked you for because your wallet ended up in the hands of a pickpocket. Nearly every country on earth has its share of pitfalls, but in a tourist-centric destination like Italy, you need to be careful. A little extra knowledge can go a long way in ensuring you have an amazing, scam-free vacation. Whether traveling Italy at your own pace or with a group and you don’t want to spring for loads of train tickets, renting a car is a viable option. However, you need to be careful.Italian rental companies are notorious for slapping on random “damage” fees long after you’ve returned the vehicle. Even if said damage was pre-existing and documented prior to driving off the rental lot, there’s a strong possibility you’ll receive an email days later, stating the “severity” of the damage, and a bill for hundreds of euros will be forthcoming.To help reduce these scams, take photos of every fender and door, so if the rental company tries to pull a fast one, you have photographic evidence on your side. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work, in which case you’ll need to make a false claim with... EXPLORE THE WORLD LIKE A LOCAL Unlock exclusive content, tools and guides for your next unforgettable adventure. Members-only insider content Unlimited access to Fodor's AI assitant Instant, free e-Guidebook Unlimited AI Exclusive Content Early Access Everything included in the monthly version. A free e-guidebook as a gift (valued up to $26.99) each year.