Travel scams are real and unfortunately quite common. They come in many forms, from fake travel websites, fake tickets to counterfeit money. When travelling, it is important to be cautious so you can avoid frustrations and be on the safe side. It’s also a good idea to use a credit card for bookings, as many credit card companies offer protection against fraud. Using common sense and being suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true can go a long way in protecting you from travel scams.
When travelling, here are the common travel scams and how you can avoid them.
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1. Fake Travel Agencies
Fake travel agencies do exist and they cause a lot of frustrations to travellers. Fake travel agencies may offer incredibly low prices for flights, hotels, or tours, but later fail to deliver what they promised or provide subpar services.
You can protect yourself from fake travel agencies by researching the company before booking and check their website for reviews and ratings. Furthermore, the travelling agency should be licensed and have a physical address so you can follow up in case something goes wrong.
Still, it is good to book through a reputable website or agent, and ensure you pay with a credit card that provides protection against fraud. Take these precautions and you will avoid falling victim to a fake travel agency. This way, your travel plans will go smoothly.
2. Watch Out for Free Wi-Fi Scams
Nowadays, every one is one look out for free Wi-Fi. Yes, free Wi-Fi is good for some reasons, but it can do more harm than good. The free Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, such as airports, buses, cafes, and hotels, can be convenient, but they can also be a source of security risks. Some Wi-Fi hotspots may look legitimate, but actually be fake hotspots created by hackers. Hackers can create a free unlocked Wi-Fi and steal your personal information, including passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data once you start using it.
To protect yourself from free Wi-Fi scams, be vigilant when connecting to Wi-Fi networks in public and avoid accessing your online banking. Use a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection.
It’s also a good idea to keep your security software, such as anti-virus and firewall programs, up-to-date to protect against potential threats. If possible, avoid using any free Wi-Fi connection that pops up on the notification bar.
3. Be Aware of Hotel Scams
When travelling, having a place where you can rest after a tiring day is important. However, it is easy to be scammed when looking for a hotel, especially if you are not careful. Hotel scams come in many forms, from overcharging rooms or services, not offering room amenities as promised, to charging for fake damages when checking out.
To avoid any hotel scams, research the hotel before booking, look for reviews and ratings from previous customers, and book directly through the hotel’s website. If possible, pay with a credit card that offers protection against fraud. When you arrive at the hotel, inspect your room and report any issues immediately. Be wary of any unexpected charges or fees on your bill, and ask for a detailed explanation if necessary.
Take appropriate precautions and they will ensure your hotel stay is comfortable, enjoyable, and free of any unexpected surprises.
4. Watch Out for Phony Taxi Services
It is important to be cautious when using taxi and bus services when traveling. Some taxi drivers may engage in scams to overcharge you or take you on a longer route to increase the fare. When you visit somewhere for the first time, it is easy to be overcharged by taxi drivers once they notice you are not aware of taxi charges.
You can avoid being overcharged unprofessional taxi services by researching the average for your route in advance and only use a licensed taxi service recommended by your hotel or travel website. Be sure to confirm the price and destination before getting into the taxi, and if possible, agree on a fare in advance. Avoid hailing taxis on the street and instead call a taxi service or use a ride-hailing app. Don’t just use any taxi service outside your hotel.
In addition, take note of the taxi’s license plate number, the driver’s name and ID, and the taxi company’s name and phone number. These details will help you report any issues or incidents in case they happen.
5. Free Gifts and Prizes Scam
This is another common travel scam you should be aware of when travelling. The scams often involve unsolicited offers of a free gift or prize, such as a vacation or a large sum of money, in exchange for a small fee or personal information. However, once the fee is paid or the information is given, the gift or prize never materializes, and the con artists disappear with your money.
To protect yourself from free gift and prize scams, always be suspicious of unsolicited offers, especially if they seem too good to be true. Do not give out personal information, such as your social security number, credit card number, or bank account information, to anyone you do not know and trust.
If you are approached with an offer, take the time to research the company or individual and look for reviews or complaints from previous customers. If possible, avoid any free gift from anyone when travelling because things will not end well for you.
6. Fake Police Officers
It is good to be aware of fake police officers when travelling because some individuals may pretend to be law enforcement in order to steal or scam terrorist. It is a common scam most tourists encounter and it can be frustrating.
Always ask anyone posing as an officer for their badge and ID. Also, ensure you verify the credentials by calling the local police department. Any legitimate officer will not mind providing of their identity and will never try to use tricks to scam you.
If you are stopped by police officers and they ask for your credentials, remain calm, but do not comply with demands unless you are sure the individual is a licensed police officer.
7. Currency Exchange Scams
Not all currency exchange services are legitimate, and it is good to be careful when exchanging currency. Some currency exchange services may engage in unscrupulous practices, such as offering counterfeit currency or overcharging for exchange.
Before you exchange currency, research in advance to determine the fair exchange rate for the currency you need. Besides, ensure you only use a reputable currency exchange service, such as a bank or a reputable currency exchange bureau. Compare the exchange rate and fees charged by different services, and avoid exchanging currency with street vendors or anyone offering to exchange currency for you.
After exchanging your currency, take time to inspect the currency you receive, and look for any signs of counterfeiting, such as inconsistent printing, discoloration, abnormal sizing and many more. If you have received fake counterfeit currency, report to the local authority for help.
Additionally, take the time to inspect the currency you receive, and look for any signs of counterfeiting, such as discoloration, inconsistencies in the printing, or other defects. If you suspect that you have received counterfeit currency, report it to the local police and the currency exchange service where you received it.
Take appropriate precautions before exchanging currency to ensure the currency you receive is reliable and safe.
8. The “Switcheroo” Scam
This is a common scam that happens in many places around the world. The “Switcheroo” scam is a type of trick scam artists use to cheat people out of their money. It typically involves a fast-talking individual who switches the contents of a bill, coin, or object with a similar item of lesser value, and then convinces the victim to accept the switch.
For example, when you arrive to a town, a scam artist may approach you and offer to exchange a large denomination bill for smaller bills. While counting the change, the scam artist may switch the larger bill for a smaller one of the same denomination and claim that it was a mistake. You may not realize you have been scammed until it is too late.
Therefore, you have to be vigilant of anyone who approaches you and offers to exchange money or perform a similar transaction. Always count your change carefully and never allow anyone to handle your money or valuables without your supervision. If you suspect that you have been the victim of a Switcheroo scam, report the incident to relevant authorities as as soon as possible.
9. The Friendly Local
When you visit a new place, the locals can be of great help. However, not every local has good intentions as you might think. I hate to say this but try to ignore friendly locals if possible. It is very easy for a local to scam you. For example, a local might approach you and pretend they want to teach you their local language. Minutes later, they try convincing you to join them in their shop or office. Later, you will find yourself in a high-pressure sales situation to purchase something from them. Also, you might lose your belongings or credentials while interacting with your new friend.
While there is no harm talking to a friendly local, be aware you can be scammed any time. Closely watch your belongings, don’t lose your concentration, and when they ask you to come with them, say no. You have the right to say no to anything you are not comfortable with and if they keep pressuring you, try your best and cut them off. Be firm, but at the same time be nice and any scammer will find it hard to scam you.
10. The Beggars
The scam is common everywhere. Usually, an injured person or child will approach you and ask for help mostly money. This puts you in a tough situation because you will be ready to help once you see the situation of the beggar. When it comes to children beggars, most children collect money on behalf of someone and return their earnings at the end of the day. In some cases, someone might be watching to see where you keep your and pickpocket you later.
Since it is hard to know between a real beggar and a faker, avoid giving money to injured beggars or children. If you feel uncomfortable giving money directly to someone on the street, consider donating to a reputable charity that is working to address poverty and homelessness in the area.
It’s also a good idea to be aware of your surroundings when in crowded areas and keep an eye on your belongings.
To avoid being scammed when you travel, research the common scams in the area you are visiting, always trust your instincts, be vigilant when exchanging money, watch your belongings closely, avoid sharing personal information, be wary of free gifts and prizes, and avoid using Wi-Fi in public places.
Have you ever been scammed before while travelling? If yes, let us know about your experience in the comments section. Your experience might help someone avoid the same scam.