Destinations › Estonia › Tallinn › Scams
Tallinn, Estonia
15 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Tallinn, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Unmarked cars taking street hails at the port and the old-town edges on cruise days, charging many times the app rate and arguing the fare on arrival.
Men presenting as plain-clothes police asking to inspect a wallet or currency for counterfeit notes, and removing cash during the count.
Cards copied at old-town venues and street cash machines, including visitors walked to a machine to settle a disputed bar bill with the PIN observed.
Unregulated taxis parked at the old-town edges and the port with tariff cards showing rates many times the standard, which is legal if displayed and is the reason to use an app.
Bar bill inflation in the old town, with drinks not ordered appearing on the tab and card terminals presented with a pre-entered tip.
Rented e-scooters and bicycles billed for pre-existing damage against the card held on file.
Touts steering visitors to amber and handicraft shops paying per head, presented as the local recommendation.
Day trips and coastal tours sold from street pitches in the old town that run shorter than described or are resold to a different operator.
Pressed and plastic amber sold as natural Baltic amber.
Pickpocketing in the old town on cruise days and at the Christmas market.
Bar and club touts on the old-town streets leading to venues where the bill is inflated and departure is obstructed.
Collectors with laminated documentation and a donation book working the old-town gates and the Christmas market.
Unofficial 'guides' at the old-town gates charging for tours that are otherwise free walking tours.
Dynamic currency conversion offered as the default on card terminals at a poor rate.
Short-let bookings cancelled at short notice during peak weekends and relisted at a higher rate.
