Venice Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Questura di Venezia (Santa Croce)
  +39 041 271 5511
  Santa Croce 500 — 24/7
• Polizia Municipale Venezia
  +39 041 274 7070

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 Questura di Venezia (Santa Croce) on +39 041 271 5511 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/venice

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. Gondola overcharge
   Standard fare is €90 (day) / €110 (night); tourists routinely charged €200+.
   Avoid: The rate is €90 day / €110 night for the boat, not per person — non-negotiable and public.
   If it happens: Pay only the official rate.
2. 2. Restaurant no-menu / price swap near San Marco
   You order 'the fish'; the bill is €120 for a dish that costs €25 elsewhere.
   Avoid: Never sit down without a written menu with prices — walk out otherwise.
   If it happens: Refuse to pay more than a reasonable itemised total; ask for the Polizia Municipale.
3. 3. Fake 'plainclothes police' wallet check
   Men flash a fake badge and ask to inspect your cash 'for counterfeits.'
   Avoid: Real Italian police in uniform patrol tourist areas; plainclothes always work with uniformed backup.
   If it happens: Refuse and walk toward a hotel, shop, or Carabinieri.
4. 4. Vaporetto / water-taxi overcharge from airport
   Water taxi 'starting from €120' becomes €300 at the dock.
   Avoid: Alilaguna water-bus (€15) or ATVO bus + vaporetto is €22 total — far cheaper.
   If it happens: Pay only the quoted rate; photograph licence and ID.
5. 5. Pigeon feed / bracelet on Piazza San Marco
   Hawkers 'give' you birdseed then demand payment; bracelet-tie is the same pattern.
   Avoid: Never accept 'gifts' from hawkers.
   If it happens: Ask for badge and receipt; if refused, walk toward a real uniformed officer.