Distraction theft, taxis away from the rank, roadside stops, the shell game and fake police: the 5 most common Mallorca scams and how to spot them.
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The 5 most common Mallorca scams
Distraction theft in crowds
How it worksA short moment is enough. While you watch the crowd, your luggage at the airport or the car hire desk, someone can take your things. Thieves also work in teams.
WhereIn tourist centres and excursion areas in the Balearics, at airports including arrivals, at sights, on popular beaches and in hotels. Do not leave valuables or luggage visible in the car.
How to protect yourself
- Carry a closed bag in front of you, and keep money and documents separate where you can.
- Take only the cash you need that day.
- When you leave the car, lock it and leave nothing valuable in sight.
Taxis away from the marked rank
How it worksAt Palma Airport, an unlicensed driver approaches you away from the marked taxi rank.
WhereOn arrival in the passenger terminal. The marked stop is at the terminal.
How to protect yourself
- Take a taxi only at the marked stop in the passenger terminal. Decline offers made away from that point.
- Book a taxi or transfer through a licensed firm.
- The minimum fare from the airport is 16.95 euros, and the 4.65 euro airport supplement is already included.
- Ask for the receipt with the licence number, and send complaints to the Palma city transport office.
The roadside stop
How it worksSomeone flags you down and says something is wrong with your car, or that you had damaged theirs. If you stop, one person offers help while another takes valuables from the car.
WhereWhile you are driving a hire car. Hire cars and foreign-registered cars are the ones they wave down.
How to protect yourself
- Stop to check the car only in a lit public place, such as a service station.
- Be wary when strangers offer help, and lock the car before you look at any damage.
- In a traffic stop, genuine officers ask for the vehicle documents, not your bag or wallet. Unmarked police vehicles show a flashing sign in the rear window reading Policía or Guardia Civil. In traffic matters, officers are usually in uniform. If you are unsure, call 112.
The shell game
How it worksOn the street you may be invited into a shell game, called trileros on Mallorca. It is a scam.
WhereOn the street.
How to protect yourself
- Do not play.
- If something is stolen, report it to the National Police or call tourist assistance on 902 102 112. The emergency number is 112.
The wallet check
How it worksSomeone poses as a police officer and asks to see your wallet, claiming it is needed for an identity check. Genuine officers ask for your ID, not your wallet or bag. Officers in plain clothes carry official identification too.
WhereDuring an unexpected check while you are out.
How to protect yourself
- Ask calmly to see the official ID.
- When asked, show a photo ID. Your wallet stays with you.
- If you are unsure, ask the way to the nearest police station, or call 112 and ask them to check.
A calm trip to Mallorca
The five traps above are not the only ones. Which of them matter depends on how you travel: solo, with family, on a budget, or in peak season. TravelCheck on iPhone builds your personalized scam report for Mallorca, usable offline, with Spanish phrases you can play aloud.
For the ride from the airport, see Taxi scams. For paying by card and at a cash machine, see ATM and currency scams. For the restaurant bill, see Restaurant scams. Elsewhere in Spain, see the Barcelona scams guide.
FAQ
Is Mallorca safe?
You can enjoy Mallorca calmly by watching your belongings in busy places. Pickpocketing happens in tourist centres and excursion areas in the Balearics, including at airports, sights and beaches. Keep your bag and luggage in sight, and lock the car when you leave nothing valuable visible. In an emergency, call 112.
How much is a taxi from Palma Airport?
The minimum fare from Palma Airport is 16.95 euros, including the airport supplement. The supplement applies once per journey. On weekdays from 7:00 to 21:00 a kilometre is 1.20 euros. At night, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, a kilometre is 1.35 euros. Ask for the receipt.
What if someone at the airport offers me a ride?
Take a taxi only at the marked stop in the passenger terminal, and decline offers made away from that point. Book a taxi or airport transfer through a licensed firm. Passengers in an unlicensed taxi can be fined up to 600 euros. Ask for the receipt with the licence number. Complaints go to the Palma city transport office.
What is the shell game?
The shell game, called trileros on Mallorca, is a scam. Do not play. If something is stolen, report it to the National Police or call tourist assistance on 902 102 112.
What if someone stops my hire car?
Someone may flag you down and claim that something is wrong with your car, or that you had damaged theirs. If you stop, one person may offer help while another takes valuables from the car. Hire cars and foreign-registered cars are the ones they wave down. Stop only in a lit public place, such as a service station.
