Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain

All Topics about Palma All Cities in Spain

1. Taxi Scams

Be wary of unlicensed taxis and overcharging in taxis. Always use official Baleàritx taxi services.

Unlicensed Taxis: These may not have insurance, making you liable for any accidents.
Overcharging: Official taxis use a meter; unofficial taxis might quote a fixed price that's too high.
Unsafe Conditions: Unofficial taxis may not meet safety standards, putting you at risk.

Beware of counterfeit goods being sold in markets such as Bellver and Olivar. Buy only from authorized shops.

Health Risks: Counterfeit goods may contain harmful substances, posing a health risk.
Legal Issues: Buying counterfeit goods can lead to legal problems in some countries, including Spain.
Quality: Counterfeit goods are often of poor quality and may not last as long as original products.

Some street performers might try to distract you while their accomplices pickpocket. Keep your belongings safe.

Distraction Theft: Thieves often work in pairs: one distracts, the other steals.
Fake Donation Boxes: Scammers might use fake donation boxes to steal money.
Drugged Food or Drink: Some performers may offer drugged food or drink to make you less aware and easier to scam.

Criminals can install skimming devices on ATMs to steal your card information. Use ATMs in banks or shopping centers.

Skimming Devices: These devices read your card data when you insert it into the machine.
Camera Surveillance: Criminals may also use cameras to record your PIN as you enter it.
Card Cloning: Stolen card data can be used to clone your card and withdraw your money.

Some landlords might overcharge or provide substandard accommodation. Verify the property's ownership before renting.

Overcharging: Rent for good quality properties can be significantly higher than average.
Substandard Accommodation: Properties might not meet the description provided, or have hidden fees.
Property Ownership Verification: Ensure the property owner has legal ownership and rights to rent it out.

Some restaurants might use substandard ingredients or poor hygiene practices. Choose reputable eateries.

Substandard Ingredients: Restaurants may use lower quality, potentially contaminated ingredients.
Poor Hygiene Practices: Unhygienic food preparation can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Reputable Restaurants: Choose restaurants with good reviews, certifications, and a clean, safe appearance.

Some shore excursions might overcharge or not deliver as promised. Book through reputable tour operators.

Overcharging: Tour companies might charge more than the market rate for their services.
Unfulfilled Promises: Tours might not include everything promised in the itinerary.
Reputable Tour Operators: Book with tour operators that have good reviews, certifications, and a clear itinerary.

Some guides might charge excessive fees or provide inaccurate information. Use official Palma tourist guides.

Excessive Fees: Guides might charge more than the standard fee for their services.
Inaccurate Information: Guides might provide incorrect or misleading information about sights and attractions.
Official Palma Tourist Guides: Use guides certified by the Balearic Islands Tourism Office for accurate and reliable information.

Some ticket sellers might offer fake or overpriced tickets to attractions. Buy tickets directly from the attraction or authorized vendors.

Fake Tickets: Counterfeit tickets might not grant access to the attraction.
Overpriced Tickets: Ticket sellers might charge more than the standard ticket price.
Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets from the official attraction website, authorized vendors, or at the attraction itself.

Some massage parlors might offer sex services. Only use licensed and reputable establishments.

Sex Services: These establishments might engage in illegal activities.
Unhygienic Conditions: Unlicensed parlors may not maintain proper hygiene standards.
Licensed and Reputable Establishments: Choose establishments with good reviews, certifications, and a clean, safe appearance.

Some cafes or hotels might charge excessively for internet access. Use Wi-Fi hotspots where available.

Excessive Charges: Internet access might be charged at a higher rate than normal.
Wi-Fi Hotspots: These offer free or low-cost internet access in public areas.
Hotel or Café Reputation: Choose hotels or cafes with good reviews and reasonable pricing for their services.

Some fortune tellers might make false predictions or pressure you to pay excessively. Be cautious when approached.

False Predictions: Fortune tellers might provide vague, unspecific, or misleading information.
Excessive Payments: They may try to pressure you into paying more than the agreed-upon price.
Avoiding Pressure Tactics: Do not feel obligated to participate or pay more than you are comfortable with.

Keep your belongings safe and secure, especially in crowded areas such as markets and tourist attractions.

Crowded Areas: These areas are often targets for pickpockets due to the large number of people.
Secure Belongings: Use a cross-body bag or keep your belongings zipped and hidden.
Awareness and Vigilance: Remain aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions that could make you an easy target.

Be cautious when receiving change or exchanging money. Check bills for any irregularities.

Irregularities in Bills: Counterfeit bills may have incorrect sizes, inconsistent ink color, or imperfections.
Reputable Exchange Offices: Exchange money at banks, hotels, or reputable exchange offices.
Check Change Carefully: Always check your change carefully and compare it to genuine bills.

Carry a copy of your passport, not the original, for identification purposes. Report any loss to authorities immediately.

Passport Copy: A copy of your passport can help identify you without putting your original at risk.
Report Loss Immediately: Reporting a lost or stolen passport helps prevent fraud and expedites replacement.
Passport Security: Always keep your passport secure and avoid leaving it unattended.