Romania doesn’t have a high incidence of scams targeting tourists, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. As the saying goes, “better safe than sorry!” Here are a few situations where you should be cautious to avoid being the victim of the following scams:
1. Be Careful with Parking Payments
In busy areas, there are sometimes individuals who take advantage of tourists, who are often disoriented and well-meaning. These people pretend to be parking attendants, asking you to pay a parking fee. Typically, they operate in areas where parking is actually free.
2. Pickpockets
This kind of theft is often organized, meaning multiple people are involved. There’s one person in charge of watching and picking a “target,” another one to distract the victim, and someone else who actually commits the theft. To avoid this inconvenience, pay attention to the people around you and always keep your bag visible and your wallet in your front pocket to stay in control. The most common places for these events are public transportation and crowded areas. If someone intentionally bumps into you for no apparent reason, you might be the target of this kind of scam.
3. Dishonest Taxi Drivers
This issue is common in Bucharest but can happen in other large cities in the country. Some taxi drivers won’t start the meter, claiming it’s broken, and will charge you an inflated fare. If this happens, insist on starting the meter; if they still refuse, take another taxi. Another possible scam is for the driver to take you on a longer route, making you pay much more at the end. We recommend using Google Maps to ensure that the chosen route is the correct one.
4. Charity Donations
It’s not new that some people use sensitive topics to tug at people’s hearts—and wallets. This doesn’t happen only in Romania, but we still think it’s worth mentioning. You may encounter people who seem well-meaning and approach you, presenting a humanitarian cause or fake petition and asking for financial support. Often, the “culprits” carry what appear to be official documents, but don’t let yourself be fooled!
5. Currency Exchanges
On your journey, you might come across places offering currency exchanges in suspicious ways. At first glance, these might seem legitimate, and the people there may offer attractive rates, but they often hide important details. For instance, there might be a high commission charge that is either not mentioned or written in a way that doesn’t catch your attention. We recommend exchanging money only at official exchange offices or banks to avoid this kind of experience.
6. Car Rental
If you choose to rent a car during your stay in Romania, we advise you to avoid certain brands, such as Volkswagen, Opel, and Mercedes, as these are the most commonly stolen cars in the country. Another friendly tip is not to leave valuables in the car to avoid losing them.
We also recommend a reliable platform where you can rent cars at low costs:
7. Be Careful on the Road!
The main European and national roads are generally in good condition, but some secondary roads can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with them. You may find yourself driving on poorly paved, poorly lit, or inadequately marked roads, especially if you’re passing through rural areas.
8. Reckless Drivers
As everywhere, in Romania, there are drivers who don’t always drive cautiously and according to traffic laws. They can be a potential danger, especially for those unfamiliar with this driving style. However, if you follow the traffic rules and drive carefully, you shouldn’t encounter problems.
9. Parties
In bars and clubs, avoid accepting drinks that haven’t been prepared in front of you to prevent unknown substances from being added. Although it’s not common, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
10. Train Travel
If you’re traveling by train in a larger group and start feeling tired, try to take turns sleeping. This way, there will always be someone on watch, and no one will have the opportunity to steal your belongings.