Staying Safe in Spain
Although Spain has a lower crime rate than many EU Countries and their health care is very good, avoiding problems in Spain is important.
These tips from the British Consulate may help you have a safe time in Spain.
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- Lottery Scam
- Avian Flu
- Car Hire at Spanish Airports
- Purchasing Tobacco in Spain, Canary Islands or Gibraltar
- Water Safety
- Unaccompanied Minors - Groups of 16/17 Year olds on Holiday
- Property Investment in Spain
- Time Share & Holiday Clubs
BE CAREFUL - LOTTERY SCAM
The Spanish State Lottery Authority has issued the following warning:
Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (LAE) would like to inform the general public that a number of groups of criminals, of various nationalities, are using the prestige and the commercial names of the Spanish Lottery by fraudulent means in several countries, particularly in countries in the south-west of Asia and the Pacific, and countries on the American continent. They move with ease around the whole world and use mobile telephones, PO boxes, provisional or false addresses (including real addresses of official Spanish organisations), as well as names that bring to mind prestigious institutions ("el Gordo", la Primitiva", "European Lottery Commission", etc.) They also forge the printed sheets and signatures of various banks.
In order to carry out the fraud, the procedure that is generally followed consists of informing the potential victim that they have been the lucky winner of a substantial prize (even if they have not participated in any draw), although they cannot collect this prize until they have paid an amount going towards the taxes, bank costs, delivery costs or insurance processing, etc. Usually, the fraudster warns their potential victim that the deadline to pay these charges is very soon and that their right to collect the prize is about to expire.
Spanish Lottery prizes are always free of taxes, and the Spanish Police has already arrested and subjected to legal procedures some of the members of groups who were operating from Spain. Therefore, when you are offered "prizes" that seem to be linked to the Spanish Lottery, DO NOT PAY any amount. Likewise, we would be grateful if you could inform local authorities of these crimes and send a copy of the false documentation to the following address:
Loterías y Apuestas del Estado. Legal Advice Service. C/ Guzmán el Bueno nº 137. 28003 Madrid (Fax + 34 91 533 51 36)
Similar scams involving other lotteries both in Spain and in other countries have been reported. Remember that if you are notified that you have won a prize in a lottery that you cannot remember subscribing to, the chances are that it will be a scam. Always check with the relevant lottery authority in the country concerned - even if the notification looks official-. Never submit any financial or other details in response to such notifications.
AVIAN FLU
The avian flu threat is very low in Spain, but British citizens requiring more information and guidance should refer to www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu
CAR HIRE AT SPANISH AIRPORTS
We are aware that there are gangs of thieves specialising in targeting holidaymakers hiring cars at most of Spain's main airports. Victims report that the tyre(s) of the hired vehicle have been tampered with so that shortly after taking delivery of the car, the vehicle will have a flat tyre.
A following vehicle will either pull up and offer assistance or gesticulate to warn the holiday makers to pull over because of a problem with the wheel/tyre. Once the hired vehicle stops, one or more gang members will offer to assist in changing the tyre. During this process the victim's attention is distracted and hand luggage, handbags, and occasionally small suitcases are stolen.
We strongly advise those who hire cars at airports to check the vehicle before driving off, paying particular attention to the wheels/tyres of the car. We also urge caution when travellers in cars are flagged down by individuals who claim there is a problem with the car as this can also be a ruse to steal handbags or luggage. If possible, without compromising safety, pull into the nearest service station rather than the side of the road.
The above problem may also occur in any car parks. If you have a flat tyre and are approached by someone to help, please be vigilant of your possessions. While you were away from the car, someone may have punctured your tyre as a means of distraction.
