It happened. The taxi charged €120 for a €50 ride. The restaurant added €30 of charges you didn't order. The "leather" jacket from San Lorenzo market is peeling after 2 days. You have rights. Italian consumer law protects you. And the process for getting justice — while Italian-speed slow — exists and works.
Go to the nearest Carabinieri or Polizia station. Say: "Vorrei fare una denuncia per truffa" (I want to file a fraud report). Bring: passport, receipt/evidence (photos, screenshots), details (time, place, amount, description). The denuncia is ESSENTIAL for: insurance claims (travel insurance requires it), credit card chargebacks, legal proceedings. It's free. Takes 30-60 minutes. Many stations have English-speaking officers. Request a copy of the denuncia.
Credit card overcharge: Call your bank immediately and initiate a chargeback dispute. EU consumer law gives you strong protections for unauthorized charges. Provide the denuncia number. ATM fraud: Block the card immediately (call number on back of card), file denuncia, contact bank.
Restaurant overcharging: Italian law requires prices on the menu. If you were charged for items not on the menu or not ordered: "Non ho ordinato questo e non è sul menù. Rivoglio i soldi." (I didn't order this and it's not on the menu. I want my money back.) If they refuse: call Polizia Locale (municipal police) — they handle commercial disputes. Taxi overcharging: Note taxi number, call 06 0609 (Roma Capitale). Full taxi guide → Fake goods: If sold counterfeit goods as genuine (fake leather as "vera pelle"): this is fraud (truffa). File denuncia. Pickpocket theft: File denuncia, cancel cards, contact embassy for passport replacement.
Call 112 (emergency) if: someone is physically threatening you, you witness a violent crime, you're in immediate danger. Do NOT call 112 for: restaurant disputes, taxi overcharges, pickpocketing (go to the station instead). Emergency guide →