What scams should I watch out for in Madrid?

Pickpocketing is the real threat, concentrated on the Metro (lines 1 and 10 near the airport, and Sol interchange), Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, and the El Rastro flea market on Sundays. Wear a front-pocket wallet or money belt, and treat anyone who bumps into you or creates a commotion as a distraction technique. The "friendship bracelet" hustle operates around Retiro Park and Plaza Mayor: a man ties a bracelet on your wrist before you can object, then demands payment and turns aggressive. The three-card monte tables near Gran Vía are fixed; the people you see winning are plants. Taxi scams are rare from official white cabs with the Madrid red stripe, but unlicensed drivers outside clubs in Malasaña and Chueca will quote flat rates three times the meter fare. Use the MiTaxi or FreeNow app to book legitimate cabs, or take the Metro. Restaurant tourist traps cluster around Plaza Mayor; two blocks in any direction, prices drop and quality improves.

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• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in Madrid?
• Where do locals drink coffee in Madrid?
• What does a local breakfast look like in Madrid?
• Where is the street food in Madrid actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in Madrid?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in Madrid?