Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Vienna, Wien, Austria

All Topics about Vienna All Cities in Austria

1. Ticket Scams at St. Stephen's Cathedral

Avoid buying tickets from unauthorized vendors outside the cathedral. The authentic ticket office is located inside.

Official Ticket Office: Always purchase tickets from the official ticket office within the cathedral.
Unauthorized Vendors: Avoid buying tickets from unofficial vendors found outside of the cathedral.
Ticket Price Differences: Be aware that ticket prices may vary depending on whether you buy them at the official ticket office or from an unauthorized vendor.

Be cautious of unsolicited guides offering tours around Hofburg Palace. Stick to licensed and reputable tour companies.

Licensed Tour Companies: Always choose a licensed and reputable tour company for guided tours.
Unsolicited Guides: Avoid accepting services from unsolicited guides found near Hofburg Palace.
Tour Prices: Be aware that tour prices may vary depending on whether you book with a licensed or an unlicensed guide.

Be mindful of overpriced food and drinks in the main square. Choose well-known restaurants for a fair price.

Well-known Restaurants: Choose well-known restaurants to avoid overpricing in the main square.
Main Square Venues: Be aware that some venues in the main square might charge higher prices.
Food and Drink Costs: Compare food and drink costs among various restaurants to find a fair price.

Avoid using unofficial taxi services. Always use reputable companies like Wiener Taxi or MyTaxi.

Reputable Companies: Always use reputable companies like Wiener Taxi or MyTaxi for taxi services.
Unofficial Services: Avoid using unofficial taxi services found on the streets.
Fraudulent Drivers: Be cautious of fraudulent drivers posing as taxi drivers.

Beware of counterfeit goods being sold at Naschmarkt. Buy from established vendors with good reviews.

Established Vendors: Always choose established vendors with positive reviews for shopping at Naschmarkt.
Counterfeit Goods: Be aware that some goods sold at Naschmarkt may be counterfeit.
Pricing Differences: Compare pricing among various vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Only use ATMs located in banks or well-established stores to avoid skimming scams. Be cautious of ATMs that seem suspicious.

Bank ATMs: Always choose ATMs located inside banks or well-established stores for safer transactions.
Suspicious ATMs: Avoid using ATMs that seem suspicious, have unusual parts, or are not properly secured.
Card Skimming Devices: Be aware of card skimming devices that can be attached to ATMs to steal your card information.

Be vigilant of pickpockets on public transportation. Keep valuables secured and avoid displaying expensive items.

Secured Valuables: Always keep your valuables securely stored in bags or pockets.
Public Transportation: Be aware that public transportation can be a hotspot for pickpocketing.
Displaying Expensive Items: Avoid displaying expensive items in public areas to reduce the risk of theft.

Only connect to trusted and secure Wi-Fi networks. Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Secure Connections: Always choose secure connections when accessing the internet.
Unsecured Wi-Fi Hotspots: Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots as they can be easily accessed by hackers.
Data Protection: Protect your personal data by not accessing sensitive information on unsecured networks.

Avoid buying tickets from unauthorized vendors or online platforms. Purchase them directly from the venue or authorized outlets.

Venue Box Office: Always purchase opera and concert tickets from the venue box office or authorized outlets.
Unauthorized Vendors: Avoid buying tickets from unauthorized vendors or online platforms as they may be counterfeit.
Ticket Prices: Be aware that ticket prices may vary depending on whether you purchase them directly from the venue or from an unauthorized vendor.

Compare prices among various accommodations to avoid overpaying. Choose well-known and reputable accommodation providers.

Reputable Providers: Always choose reputable providers for your accommodation.
Overpriced Accommodations: Be aware that some accommodations may be overpriced, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Price Comparison: Compare prices among various accommodation providers to find a fair deal.

Appreciate street performances but be cautious of performers who request money upfront for a show or ask for donations excessively.

Free Performances: Enjoy free performances and only tip after if you are satisfied.
Upfront Money Requests: Be cautious of performers who request money upfront for a show as they may not deliver on their promises.
Excessive Donations: Avoid donating excessively to performers, especially if you feel pressured.

Be wary of charity collectors asking for donations. Research local charities to ensure they are legitimate before making a donation.

Legitimate Charities: Always research the legitimacy of charities before making a donation.
Bogus Collectors: Be cautious of bogus charity collectors who may not be associated with a legitimate organization.
Donation Scams: Avoid donating to individuals or groups that seem suspicious, especially if they are asking for cash.

Be aware of counterfeit money in circulation. Check the authenticity of bills by feeling and inspecting them.

Authentic Bills: Feel and inspect bills to ensure they are genuine.
Counterfeit Money: Be aware that counterfeit money may be in circulation, especially in larger denominations.
Money Exchange: Exchange large amounts of money at reputable exchange offices to minimize the risk of receiving counterfeit bills.

Park in well-marked and secure parking areas. Be aware of fake parking tickets left on vehicles.

Secure Parking Areas: Always choose well-marked and secure parking areas.
Fake Tickets: Avoid parking in unsecured or unauthorized parking areas as you may receive a fake ticket.
Parking Costs: Compare parking costs among various parking areas to find an affordable and secure spot.

Be cautious when using coin-operated machines in public spaces. Ensure they are working correctly before making a payment.

Functioning Machines: Ensure that the machine you're using is functioning correctly and gives what it promises.
Coin-Operated Scams: Avoid using coin-operated machines if they seem suspicious or do not work as expected.
Paying Attention: Pay close attention when using coin-operated machines, especially in public spaces where scams may occur.