It sucks when you fall victim to a scam while traveling. You want to trust people, have faith in human kindness, and ENJOY your vacation. You can and will if you are cautious of recognized scams. Learn how to detect someone’s genuine kindness vs a ‘rip-off a comin’. Best practice is to always use common sense. These are a few scams to try and avoid that happen in many different countries. Unfortunately, I have fallen for too many, so I wanted to share some.

1. Negotiate the price of a taxi ride BEFORE getting in. Find out how much a taxi should cost to get to your destination, so you don’t overpay.
2. Don’t let a stranger get too close to you to slip something on your arm or head. Be extremely wary of accepting anything for free. Nothing is free. If they put something on you, simply take it off, give it back to them, and be firm about it. Then walk away.
3. Another reason to not let a stranger get too close to you – a sudden spill on you! Someone tries to help you clean it up, engages with someone else for help, meanwhile you’re distracted and being pick pocketed.
4. You want to believe a friendly conversation with a local is genuine, but often it is not. As soon as they say oh I have a ‘so and so relative’ who lives exactly where you live, they are starting to build a rapport. Then they encourage you into a shop, give you something for free and with that psychological principle of reciprocity you will feel obliged to buy something. Unless you have a keen interest in buying something, don’t follow anyone into a shop you didn’t intend to go into.
5. A similar take on the friendly stranger is someone coming up to you in the street saying they know you. Perhaps they work at your hotel. They have the inside track on a special deal, or festival, or last day market they want to share with you. You think why not and happily follow only to be brought into a high-pressure sales scheme so off the beaten track you might be afraid you’re going to be trapped.
6. When are you are actually shopping be aware of ‘switcheroos‘. Watch what the seller is actually giving you or packaging up to be sure it’s the item you wanted and paid for.
7. If you’re looking for something specific like a hotel or museum and you ask for directions, be cautious when they say it’s closed today. They’ll offer to take you somewhere else instead. The only way to know if something is closed is to double check yourself – online, in person, or call.
8. Be cautious of fake officials. If someone tells you to hand over your documents be reluctant. If the reason is legitimate ask to do so at a local police station. Or you may not get your ID or passport back without a hefty bribe.
9. Only rent from legitimate businesses. If you’re renting equipment or a scooter from a random local business and they don’t ask you for a license, deposit, insurance or anything you would normally need to do, be cautious. You may get scammed for damages and demanded to pay, or a fake official may follow you and threaten you for a bribe because you’re in territory that’s “off limits”.
10. Only go to ATMs at a reputable bank.

Article Posted By

Krista Hopfauf

Travel Agent