Money & ATM Scams in Marseille, France

How it works

Scammers install a thin plastic insert inside ATM card slots that grips the card and prevents it from ejecting normally. When the tourist's card fails to return, an accomplice nearby — who appeared to be a bystander — offers help and advises the tourist to go inside the bank or call a number. While the tourist is away, the accomplice removes the insert along with the trapped card. Specific incidents have been documented at Vieux-Port area ATMs. A variant involves a person "helpfully" offering to assist with the ATM and observing the PIN entry while an insert or card skimmer is already in place.

How it works

Small independent currency exchange booths in the Noailles district and around the Belsunce market area near La Canebière advertise favorable rates but systematically short-change tourists through rapid counting, misdirection during the hand-over, or by giving a bundle of notes that includes lower-denomination bills concealed inside higher ones. Some booths quote no-commission rates that include a highly unfavorable exchange margin that exceeds typical bank charges. Tourists who do not count their money carefully before leaving the counter have no recourse once they walk away.