Street Distraction and Pickpocketing
The Money Drop Scam
In crowded UK high streets like Oxford Street or Piccadilly Circus, a scammer pretends to drop banknotes (often £20-£50 notes) and engages you in conversation to distract you, while an accomplice steals your wallet or phone from your bag or pocket. This targets tourists carrying cash or cards, leading to losses up to £200 in valuables.
- Keep your belongings in zipped pockets or use a cross-body bag in busy areas.
- Politely refuse to engage if someone points out dropped money and move to a less crowded spot.
- Report any incidents to local police using the 101 non-emergency line in the UK.
Fake Charity Collectors
In UK city centers such as Trafalgar Square or outside major train stations, individuals posing as charity workers with clipboards ask for cash donations (typically £5-£10) for causes like homeless support, but the organizations are nonexistent or unaffiliated, with funds going straight to the scammers.
- Only donate to registered charities via official websites or apps, as verified by the UK Charity Commission.
- Ask for official ID from collectors and check for legitimate branding before giving money.
- Use contactless payments for verified causes to avoid handing over cash in public spaces.
ATM and Card Skimming
Skimming Devices on ATMs
At ATMs in UK shopping areas like high street banks in Birmingham or outside supermarkets, scammers attach skimming devices to card readers and hidden cameras to capture PINs, leading to unauthorized withdrawals of £100-£500 from tourist accounts.
- Inspect ATMs for loose parts or unusual attachments before use, especially in less monitored areas.
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN and use bank apps to monitor transactions in real-time.
- Prefer using ATMs inside bank branches during business hours for added security.