Travel Safely: Avoiding Common Tourist Scams in Ireland
13 Common Tourist Scams to Watch Out for in Ireland
From its rich heritage and stunning natural beauty to some of the best coffee in the world, Ireland has much to offer travelers. These captivating Emerald Isles, brimming with unique Irish charm, provide a paradise of exciting experiences and sights for visitors.
According to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, nearly 1.7 million international visitors have traveled to Ireland this year.
While Ireland is a safe and friendly country, no place is completely free of crime. It’s always wise to stay vigilant, as a few individuals may have less than honorable intentions. Keep reading to learn about the most common tourist scams in Ireland and how to avoid them.
13 Most Common Tourist Scams in Ireland
Being aware of common tourist scams can be very helpful. Here is a list of 13 scams you should know about to stay vigilant when visiting Ireland:
- ATM Help Scam
One common tourist scam in Ireland is the ATM help scam. In this scam, a person will approach you if they notice you’re having trouble with your ATM card. Their real intention is to use a card skimmer to scan your credit or debit card.
Once they have your information, they can drain your account. To avoid this, always refuse any unsolicited help at an ATM and contact the bank directly if you encounter any issues.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick.
- Picture/Photography Scam
One common scam in Ireland involves a friendly person asking you to take a photo of them or their friends in a busy tourist spot. As you take the picture and return the camera, they will deliberately fumble and drop it, breaking the equipment. They will then blame you for the damage and demand payment.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Sligo, Galway, Donegal, and Londonderry.
- Taxis Overcharging Scam
Taxi overcharging is another common scam in many foreign lands, including Ireland. Some taxi drivers will intentionally take the longest or wrong route to overcharge you. They might also claim that their meter is broken or that they don’t accept credit cards, leading to unnecessary overcharging.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Shannon, and Kerry Airport.
- Fake Beggar Scam
In this scam, people posing as fake beggars will approach you for money. These individuals often share a sad story and may even pretend to be injured or disabled to gain your sympathy. They typically target high-traffic areas frequented by tourists.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Donegal, and most tourist spots in Ireland.
- Friendly Bar Friends Scam
This is another common scam in Ireland. Two friendly individuals will approach you and invite you for a drink as they become ‘friendly’ with you. They will suggest going to a nearby bar with which they are partnered.
After a few drinks, you’ll find yourself paying significantly more than the standard rates.
Common Locations: Throughout Ireland, especially in areas with cafes and restaurants such as Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
- Throwing Waste Scam
In this tourist scam, someone will suddenly throw a bit of waste at you from behind. Almost immediately, a ‘friendly’ local appears and offers to help you clean up. While assisting you and discussing the incident, they will pickpocket you by distracting you.
Common Locations: The alleys of the most popular tourist spots in Ireland.
- Guessing Game Scam
While strolling through the streets of Ireland, you may encounter a street performer, often a magician or entertainer, gathering a crowd with games or magic tricks. Typically, someone in the audience correctly guesses an answer and receives money as a prize.
This spectacle draws more onlookers, creating a larger crowd. Unfortunately, in the midst of this gathering, pickpockets take advantage of distracted individuals to steal valuables.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick.
- Parked Car Thefts
Parked car thefts pose a significant risk in rural locations across Ireland. Many visitors rent cars to explore these areas and often leave their suitcases and valuables inside while visiting tourist attractions.
Thieves take advantage of this situation by breaking into parked cars and stealing valuables.
Common Locations: Downtown areas of popular tourist cities like Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Belfast, as well as tourist hotspots such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry, are known for parked car thefts.
- Pickpockets
This scam involves a team of pickpockets targeting crowded public places, particularly popular tourist spots. They intentionally create distractions or crowds to facilitate stealing valuables from unsuspecting victims.
Every year, numerous tourists in Ireland, as well as other parts of the country, fall victim to such pickpocketing schemes. In such situations, having travel insurance that covers delayed or lost baggage can provide assistance.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Belfast.
- Fake Artefacts
This scam involves individuals selling fake artifacts or coins under the guise of authenticity and historical significance. It is particularly prevalent at historical and archaeological sites.
Scammers pressure visitors into buying these items, claiming they are genuine. By the time victims realize they are fake, it’s often too late.
Common Locations: Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Glendalough, and other archaeological sites across Ireland.
- Fake Parking Tickets
One of the riskiest tourist scams in Ireland involves a group of individuals approaching you with fake parking tickets at popular tourist sites. They issue tickets with QR codes that direct you to a counterfeit payment site resembling the legitimate one.
Paying through this fraudulent site not only results in overpayment but also exposes your personal information, unknowingly putting you at further risk.
Common Locations: Primarily around popular tourist destinations throughout Ireland.
- Tax Refund Scam
Another common scam in and around Ireland involves scammers posing as Irish tax officials to deceive and obtain money or personal information from unsuspecting tourists. It’s important to note that the Irish tax office does not contact tourists to request money or personal details under any circumstances.
Common Locations: Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick.
- Solo Traveller Scam
One of the prevalent tourist scams in Ireland targets solo travelers, where a local approaches with excessive friendliness. They may feign romantic interest to gain your trust, eventually exploiting you.
These scams can escalate to internet fraud, where the scammer gains access to your bank accounts and personal information.
Common Locations: Throughout Ireland.
How to Avoid Tourist Scams in Ireland?
Before embarking on your journey to Ireland, consider obtaining travel insurance to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your finances in case of unexpected events in a foreign country.
When using an ATM, always cover the number pad while entering your PIN code for added security.
If you lose your passport, contact the nearest Indian embassy in Ireland promptly to arrange for a replacement.
Exercise caution when strangers ask you to take their photo, especially at tourist spots. It’s best to decline such requests.
When taking a taxi, insist that the driver turns on the meter. Opt for licensed or pre-paid taxis and familiarize yourself with standard fares and routes before choosing a taxi service in Ireland.
Stay vigilant of your surroundings and avoid giving money to suspicious individuals soliciting charity.
Avoid taking restaurant recommendations from strangers. Research popular bars, cafes, and nightclubs online or on reputable websites.
Purchase artifacts only from licensed dealers with a solid reputation in dealing with such products.
To prevent pickpocketing, keep your wallet in your front pocket, hold handbags close to you, and wear backpacks on your front.
Safeguard your debit/credit cards in a secure location to prevent theft. Consider travel insurance that includes coverage for financial emergencies to provide assistance in unforeseen situations.
Emergency Resources for Dealing with Tourist Scams in Ireland
If you encounter any unexpected situations while in Ireland, you can reach out to the Ireland Tourist Assistance Service at 1890 365 700.
Here are additional essential contacts to keep handy for emergencies:
- Police: 112
- Medical treatment and ambulance assistance: 112 or 999
- Embassy of India, Dublin, Ireland: 00353-1 2604806
These are common tourist scams in Ireland, as well as in other foreign countries. However, local authorities and the government have implemented measures to combat such scams in the region. It’s crucial to remain vigilant with your belongings while exploring any foreign city. If you need emergency assistance or find yourself in a challenging situation, contact the nearest embassy for support.
FAQs About Tourist Scams in Ireland
How does taking a map along with me help me prevent the taxi scam?
Carrying a map during your journey can help prevent falling victim to the taxi scam in several ways. By having a map on hand before entering the taxi, you can estimate the time the trip should take and familiarize yourself with the routes. This knowledge allows you to confidently guide your taxi driver, ensuring they take the correct and most efficient route.
What must I do if a local in Ireland asks me to join them in singing?
This situation could potentially be a scam where a stranger tries to distract you by involving you in a crowd, often with a beautiful Irish song or performance. While you’re distracted, they may attempt to steal your valuables. It’s important to politely decline their invitation and promptly leave the area. Keep your valuables securely close to you at all times to minimize the risk of theft.
Is it risky to become friendly with the locals in Ireland due to scams?
While touring in Ireland, it’s important not to become paranoid or unfriendly towards locals. The key is to exercise caution for yourself, your family, and your valuables. This includes keeping a watchful eye on your beer or glass of wine to prevent drink spiking when visiting restaurants and cafes.
How to save myself from fake parking ticket scams?
To avoid falling victim to fake parking ticket scams, follow these best practices: research local parking requirements beforehand, carefully examine any citation received, and opt to pay with a credit card whenever possible. Payments made using peer-to-peer apps, debit cards, cash, or checks are typically difficult to recover if a scam is suspected.
Is Dublin in Ireland safe to travel?
Dublin is generally a safe city for travelers. However, it’s advisable for visitors to exercise caution and take necessary precautions to avoid pickpocketing and other petty scams. Avoid being overly familiar with unfamiliar locals and refrain from engaging in spontaneous social activities with strangers.
