⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Keep bags zipped and in front on the Metro and at Nyhavn — pickpocketing is Copenhagen's most common tourist crime
- At Strøget and Tivoli, be wary of anyone who bumps into you or creates a distraction — it's often a coordinated pickpocket team
- Use Rejsekort or contactless payment for transport — buying single tickets is expensive and ticket inspectors fine without warning
- Don't leave bikes unlocked even briefly — bike theft is rampant and rental shops will charge you the full replacement cost
The 6 Scams
Two men approach you flashing what appear to be police badges and claim there are drug problems in the area. They ask to check your wallet and passport for counterfeit bills or drugs. If you comply, they note how much cash you have and some have been known to take money during the 'inspection.' Real Danish police do not conduct random wallet checks on tourists.
Red Flags
- Plain-clothes 'officers' without a uniformed officer present
- Request to show your wallet contents
- Pressure to comply immediately without asking questions
How to Avoid
- Ask to see proper ID and write down their badge numbers
- Offer to go with them to the nearest police station instead
- Real Danish police will never demand to see your cash on the street
Someone approaches you at the ticket machine claiming to be a Ukrainian refugee or in another desperate situation, asking you to buy them a train ticket. You feel empathy and purchase one — but they then take the ticket and quickly get it refunded at a counter, pocketing the cash. You've been used as an unwitting middleman in a refund scam.
Red Flags
- Strangers asking you to buy transit tickets for them
- Urgency and emotional stories at ticket machines
- Person who doesn't seem to know their destination clearly
How to Avoid
- Don't purchase tickets for strangers at stations
- If you want to help someone in need, direct them to Copenhagen social services
- Keep your distance from people hovering at ticket machines
You're browsing Copenhagen's famous pedestrian shopping street when the crowd seems to naturally surge around you. Someone bumps into you apologetically while a partner quietly unzips your bag or reaches into your pocket. Copenhagen is generally safe, but Strøget and the Central Station are the highest-risk spots for pickpocketing in the entire country.
Red Flags
- Unusual crowding or jostling in specific spots
- Someone apologizing for bumping into you while others are nearby
- Distraction from someone asking for directions
How to Avoid
- Keep valuables in front pockets or a secure crossbody bag
- Be extra vigilant during crowded summer months
- Avoid displaying expensive cameras or jewelry on Strøget
You're buying transit tickets at the machine and paying standard single-journey prices. What you don't know is that Copenhagen's anonymous Rejsekort (travel card) offers 20-45% savings over single tickets. Nobody tells you this at the airport or tourist info — locals know it, but tourists routinely overpay for every single ride across their entire visit.
Red Flags
- High per-ride cost on single-journey tickets
- No one mentioning the Rejsekort option at ticket machines
How to Avoid
- Buy an anonymous Rejsekort travel card at any 7-Eleven or DSB station
- The card pays for itself within 2-3 days of regular use
- Return the card before you leave for a partial refund of the deposit
You're charmed by the colorful buildings along Nyhavn and sit at a canalside restaurant for a 'typical Danish meal.' The setting is gorgeous but the prices are extreme — a basic open-face sandwich (smørrebrød) that costs 60 DKK elsewhere is €18 here, and the fish dish you ordered comes out tiny. You've paid tourist-trap prices for mediocre food in a premium location.
Red Flags
- Restaurants on the canal with menus in 10 languages
- No prices prominently displayed outside
- Waiter who flags you down aggressively from the door
How to Avoid
- Walk one block back from Nyhavn to find restaurants with locals inside
- Look at full menus with prices before sitting anywhere near the canal
- Most Copenhagen restaurants add 'bread' charges automatically — ask if it's included
A friendly person approaches and offers to take your photo at a scenic spot. Once they have your phone or camera, they sprint away with it, or alternatively take an awful photo and refuse to return the device until you pay them a 'fee.' Some work in pairs — one takes the photo while the other creates a distraction.
Red Flags
- Strangers volunteering to take your photo unprompted
- Taking your device out of your grip rather than staying beside you
- Person moving away from you while holding your phone
How to Avoid
- Ask other tourists to take your photo instead of strangers
- Use a selfie stick for important shots
- If you hand your phone to someone, stand close enough to grab it back easily
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Danish Police (Politi) station. Call 114 (non-emergency) or 112 (emergency). Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at politi.dk.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy in Copenhagen is at Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24, 2100 Copenhagen. For emergencies: +45 33 41 71 00.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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