Budapest Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Budapest Police HQ (BRFK)
  +36 1 443 5000
  Teve utca 4-6, District XIII — 24/7
• Tourinform tourist help
  +36 1 438 8080
  Deák Ferenc tér — English-speaking travel and safety help

First 10 minutes if something happens

1. 1.Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call All emergencies on 112 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
2. 2.Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
3. 3.Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
4. 4.Contact Budapest Police HQ (BRFK) on +36 1 443 5000 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.

Full 8-step checklist at gacs.app/safe-traveller/budapest

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. Konzumlány (consumer-girl) bar bait
   Attractive locals invite solo men for drinks; the bill is €500–€2,000 with bouncers at the door.
   Avoid: Do not follow strangers to bars — pick your own with reviews.
   If it happens: Refuse to pay verbal 'special' prices — only what's on a printed menu.
2. 2. BUD airport taxi meter tampering
   €10 trip becomes €80 because 'meter is in special zone' or 'Tariff 4.'
   Avoid: Only take Főtaxi from the airport rank (only official operator).
   If it happens: Refuse to pay above meter Tariff 1; photograph the taxi number.
3. 3. Currency exchange short-change on Váci utca
   Sign shows 400 HUF/EUR; you get 320 after a 'commission.'
   Avoid: Use ATMs from major Hungarian banks (OTP, Erste, K&H) — they give near-interbank rates.
   If it happens: Walk away before completing if the effective rate is bad.
4. 4. Tram 4/6 pickpockets
   Coordinated teams work the busiest tram in Europe.
   Avoid: Bag cross-body, hand on zipper.
   If it happens: Shout to draw attention.
5. 5. ATM skimmers around Deák tér
   Overlay skimmers and pinhole cameras clone your card and record your PIN.
   Avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches (OTP, K&H, Erste).
   If it happens: Freeze card immediately in app; call your bank's fraud line.