How to Avoid Common Travel Scams: A Comprehensive Guide
As a traveler, falling victim to scams can be a frustrating and costly experience. On my first big trip abroad, I got scammed twice on the same day. These experiences taught me to be more cautious and aware of my surroundings. In this article, I will share some common travel scams to avoid, along with tips on how to stay safe and protected on the road.
Table of Contents
- The taxi overcharge
- Your accommodation is closed
- The shell game
- Come in for tea and help me write a letter!
- Free bracelets, rosemary, and other items
- The spill on your clothes
- Motorbike scam
- The flirtatious local
- Your attraction is closed for lunch
- The found ring
- The fake petition
- The drug deal gone bad
- The wrong change
- The switcheroo
- The ATM scam
- Child injured beggars
- Fake WiFi hub
- Fake currency scam
1. The Taxi Overcharge
The taxi overcharge scam is one of the most common travel scams out there. Either the driver will tell you the meter is broken and try to charge you a huge rate, or you’ll see the meter go higher and faster than usual. To avoid this scam, first, you need to know how much a ride should cost. I always ask the hostel or hotel staff what a ride should be so I have a frame of reference. Next, if the cabbie tries to negotiate the rate with me, I offer him the correct rate. If he refuses, I find someone who will put the meter on. If the meter seems to be going up too quickly, I have them pull over and I get out.
Tips for dealing with taxis:
- Know the correct rate beforehand
- Use a reputable taxi company
- Check the meter
- Don’t get in an unlicensed cab
2. Your Accommodation is Closed
This scam involves a taxi driver telling you that your hotel or hostel is overbooked or even closed. It’s not. Just ignore them and insist on going there. If they keep trying, continue to insist. They will usually shut up about it.
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t trust taxi drivers
- Insist on going to your accommodation
- Check with your hostel or hotel staff
3. The Shell Game
The shell game is an old and obvious scam. You’ll see people on the street playing a card game or hiding a ball in a cup and someone guessing where it is and winning money. Don’t get suckered into this con. Remember, the house always wins!
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t play card games or betting games with strangers
- Be aware of your surroundings
4. Come in for Tea and Help Me Write a Letter!
While in Morocco, someone tried this travel scam on me. A guy struck up a conversation and asked me to come to his shop to write a postcard for him. The goal here was to get me in the shop, maybe give me some tea, and then pressure me into buying something. Don’t follow people to a second location or believe they suddenly have a cousin who happens to live exactly where you do!
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t follow strangers to a second location
- Be wary of people who approach you
5. Free Bracelets, Rosemary, and Other Items
In this scam, a friendly person will approach you for a quick chat, then place a bracelet around your wrist or give you a little sprig of rosemary. Once you have it on your person, they will demand money. When you refuse, they will begin to cause a scene in the hopes you would rather give them some money than be embarrassed. Don’t allow anyone to put anything on your body, and be extremely wary of accepting anything for free.
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t accept anything for free
- Be firm and walk away
6. The Spill on Your Clothes
There you are, minding your own business, and someone spills something on you. They are profusely sorry and offer to clean it up, dabbing the stain, and apologizing. While you are all flustered, they are picking your pocket. Beware of people encroaching on your person if it’s not a crowded area already.
How to avoid this scam:
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Push people away and clean it up yourself
7. Motorbike Scam
You rent a motorbike and spend the day exploring. When you bring it back, the owner demands an additional payment or expensive repairs because there is some damage you didn’t know about. Take photos of the bike first to document any previous damage. Go around it with the owner so they know what you are taking pictures of. Use your own lock, and keep the bike out of sight and off a main street when you park it.
How to avoid this scam:
- Take photos of the bike
- Use your own lock
- Keep the bike out of sight
8. The Flirtatious Local
You arrive in a new country and head to a bar, where a beautiful local comes up to you for a chat. You have some drinks and amazing conversation and go to a new bar or club that she suggested. However, after a wild night and lots of drinks, the woman disappears and you’re forced to pay an overpriced bill with some really big guys bearing down on you to make sure you do. Be wary of attractive locals who promise to take you to the world’s best club, get you drinks, or are overly flirtatious.
How to avoid this scam:
- Be wary of attractive locals
- Don’t get into an uncomfortable position
9. Your Attraction is Closed for Lunch
A friendly local approaches and informs you that the attraction you want to visit is closed for any number of reasons. Then they’ll guide you to a different attraction or shop, where you’re pressured to purchase something or pay a lot for entry. Find the main entrance or ticket counter and see for yourself. Also, keep in mind that most attractions don’t close for lunch.
How to avoid this scam:
- Find the main entrance or ticket counter
- Check the attraction’s hours
10. The Found Ring
An innocent-looking person picks up a ring on the ground and asks if you dropped it. When you say no, the person looks at the ring closely, then shows you a mark proving that it’s pure gold. He or she offers to sell it to you for a better price. Don’t buy the ring. If it sounds too good to be true, it definitely is.
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t buy the ring
- Be cautious of people who approach you
11. The Fake Petition
You’re at a popular tourist site and a woman or kid often pretending to be deaf or a student will try to get you to sign a petition. You don’t know what they are saying, and to end the awkwardness, you sign the petition, hoping they will go away. But the petitioner then demands a cash donation. Just ignore people coming up to you to sign a petition, especially when they are in groups and try to surround you.
How to avoid this scam:
- Ignore people coming up to you
- Don’t sign petitions
12. The Drug Deal Gone Bad
This scam is common in many developing countries, especially those with a lively party scene. You’re in a popular tourist area and someone offers you drugs. You say yes, and before you know it, a real cop is on the scene! They threaten to arrest you unless you pay a fine right there, i.e., a bribe. Don’t buy illegal drugs in other countries!
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t buy illegal drugs
- Be aware of your surroundings
13. The Wrong Change
This happens a lot in countries where the bills look similar to each other. People tend to look at colors first, so when you get a pile of change that is the same color, you think you got the right change, but they really gave you the wrong bills. Count your change carefully every time.
How to avoid this scam:
- Count your change carefully
- Be aware of the bills
14. The Switcheroo
This happens all over the world and mostly with shirts, carpets, rugs, and antiques. You’re at a store and you see a designer item at a bargain price. Maybe they got it wholesale? After some haggling, the owner agrees to sell it to you. But while you aren’t paying attention, he gives you a knockoff. Remember that no designer anything is going to be that cheap.
How to avoid this scam:
- Be cautious of bargains
- Watch what the seller is giving you
15. The ATM Scam
When you go to use an ATM, a helpful local will approach you to help you avoid the ATM fee. What they are really doing is using a card skimmer to steal your credit card information. Always use indoor ATMs inside a bank branch. Additionally, always check the ATM itself for a card skimmer.
How to avoid this scam:
- Use indoor ATMs
- Check the ATM for a card skimmer
16. Child Injured Beggars
This scam can be found pretty much everywhere. Usually, an injured person or young child sometimes with their mother will approach you and ask for money. I never give money to injured beggars or children. Instead, I’ll make a donation to a helpful charity or offer them food.
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t give money to injured beggars or children
- Make a donation to a charity
17. Fake WiFi Hub
Hackers will create a free unlocked WiFi hub and then, once you’ve logged onto it, they steal your data. Never join any unsecured networks and always use a VPN when you’re abroad.
How to avoid this scam:
- Never join unsecured networks
- Use a VPN
18. Fake Currency Scam
In cities where there are a lot of currency exchanges near popular tourist attractions, a person might come up to you and ask if you want to change some money. They’ll offer you a fantastic rate and say they don’t charge commission. Stick to reputable currency shops.
How to avoid this scam:
- Stick to reputable currency shops
- Be cautious of people who approach you
STAY PROTECTED ON THE ROAD!
Worried about getting something lost, stolen, or falling for a scam? Make sure you get travel insurance coverage so that if something does happen, you can be made whole again and recover your losses! I never leave home without it!
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Book Your Trip Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book your flight, accommodation, and activities with reputable companies. Don’t forget travel insurance!
- Book your flight with Skyscanner
- Book your accommodation with Hostelworld or Booking.com
- Get travel insurance with SafetyWing, World Nomads, or InsureMyTrip
What are some common travel scams to avoid?
*_Common travel scams to avoid include the taxi overcharge, your accommodation is closed, the shell game, come in for tea and help me write a letter, free bracelets, rosemary, and other items, the spill on your clothes, motorbike scam, the flirtatious local, your attraction is closed for lunch, the found ring, the fake petition, the drug deal gone bad, the wrong change, the switcheroo, the ATM scam, child injured beggars, fake WiFi hub, and fake currency scam._*
How can I avoid the taxi overcharge scam?
*_To avoid the taxi overcharge scam, know the correct rate beforehand, use a reputable taxi company, check the meter, and don’t get in an unlicensed cab._*
What is the shell game scam?
*_The shell game scam is an old and obvious scam where people on the street play a card game or hide a ball in a cup and someone guesses where it is and wins money. Don’t get suckered into this con._*
How can I avoid the motorbike scam?
*_To avoid the motorbike scam, take photos of the bike before renting it, use your own lock, and keep the bike out of sight and off a main street when you park it._*
What is the flirtatious local scam?
*_The flirtatious local scam involves a beautiful local who approaches you at a bar, has a few drinks with you, and then takes you to a new bar or club. However, after a wild night, the woman disappears and you’re forced to pay an overpriced bill._*
How can I protect myself from the ATM scam?
*_To protect yourself from the ATM scam, use indoor ATMs inside a bank branch, and always check the ATM itself for a card skimmer._*
What should I do if someone approaches me with a petition?
*_If someone approaches you with a petition, ignore them and don’t sign it. This is often a scam to get you to donate money._*
How can I avoid being a victim of the switcheroo scam?
*_To avoid being a victim of the switcheroo scam, be cautious of bargains, and watch what the seller is giving you. No designer item is going to be that cheap._*
What is the fake WiFi hub scam?
*_The fake WiFi hub scam involves hackers creating a free unlocked WiFi hub and then stealing your data once you’ve logged on. Never join any unsecured networks and always use a VPN when you’re abroad._*
How can I avoid the fake currency scam?
*_To avoid the fake currency scam, stick to reputable currency shops and be cautious of people who approach you with offers to change money._*
What are some general tips for staying safe while traveling?
*_General tips for staying safe while traveling include being aware of your surroundings, not accepting anything for free, and not giving money to injured beggars or children. Instead, make a donation to a helpful charity or offer them food._*
