I Fell for a Classic Paris Street Scam-Now I Won't Travel Without These 10 Anti-theft Essentials, From $10

"Before we could react, he and his accomplice grabbed our wrists, tied the strings impossibly tight, and suddenly we were surrounded. They demanded money in a way that left no room to say no. My boyfriend tried to hand over a few dollars to get us out of the situation, but they ended up taking $100 before we could escape."

"Since then, I've approached the streets of Paris with far more caution and always make a point to warn anyone traveling there, or to other European cities. Now, I always carry a handful of travel safety items that provide real peace of mind: pepper spray, a hidden money belt, Apple AirTags, and other travel essentials that help me stay prepared for the unexpected."

A traveler in Montmartre had a 'free' friendship-bracelet scam where two men grabbed wrists, tied strings tightly, coerced payment, and took $100 before escape. The scam is common and has ensnared countless tourists, prompting greater caution in tourist areas. The traveler now carries compact, affordable anti-theft and personal-safety items, including pepper spray, a hidden money belt, Apple AirTags, and other travel essentials. Specific recommended items include Sabre Pepper Spray and She's Birdie Personal Safety Alarm, with prices starting around $10 and many items available on Amazon, allowing travelers to balance safety, style, and convenience.

Read at Travel + Leisure