No matter where you go in the world and no matter how amazing the trip, there will always be a point in the trip where you will encounter a tourist scam artist. From the nice person offering to take your photo to the friendship bracelet that is a “gift”, there are far too many to name. As a first time international traveler, you should understand how tourist scammers operate abroad and how you can avoid falling victim to one of their scams.
Imagine you’ve just arrived in a beautiful new destination and are ready to have the adventure of your life. You’re laughing it up with your travel companion enjoying the scene and before you know it, you’ve been scammed out of hundreds of dollars. I’ve come really close to being victimized a few times during my travels. The first time, they took my wallet which only had my US driver’s license and a couple of credit cards that I was able to cancel immediately. I was lucky!
Traveling safely should be on the top of your list, no matter where you go. What if I told you that with a few simple tips, you could recognize a scammer from a mile away and travel the world with confidence? Let’s dive into how you can protect yourself abroad.
Avoiding Common Tourist Scams
We all like to believe we are smarter than the average scammer and “they will never get me.” The problem is we are no longer dealing with the average scam artist. Sure, you will still see the “guess which cup the ball is under” scammer working at busy tourist sites but those aren’t the ones you should be worried about.
There is a whole new breed of scammers working popular tourist destinations and it is imperative that you stay alert, look for red flags and trust your instincts. If this is your first time in a city, doing a little pre-trip research will go along way to reduce your chances of getting scammed.
While some scams are universal, certain places have their own unique tactics. Let me walk you through a few examples from popular tourist destinations.
Fake Taxi Drivers
I think I’ve seen this in every international destination I have ever visited. It looks legit and has all of the signage to throw you off but before you jump in for that ride, take these simple steps.
If you are at the airport or your hotel, ask an official person there how to find the right taxi and how much it should cost to get to your destination. Keep in mind there are a lot of ‘official looking’ people at the airport. Avoid them and head for information desk or ask a police officer.
Having an official person to ask may not always be an option. For example, you are trying to leave the Eiffel Tower and walk up to a group of taxi’s on the street. Here are three easy things to look out for when you are on your own.
1) Meter not working: Check if there is a working meter and ask the driver to turn on the meter first. Some scammers will say the meter isn’t working and try to charge you some random flat rate.
2) Credentials not available: Look for an official license with their photo included. In many cities, official drivers must display their credentials in a place where you can see it. If you don’t, then get out immediately.
3) Off the path routing: Use the map on your phone to track your route. You can even do this if you don’t have internet access. Open the map and put in your destination before you lose internet access. Keep the map open on your phone and watch as you progress on your journey. Don’t be afraid to guide your taxi driver to ensure you keep your trip on track.
How to avoid this tourist scam: The best way to avoid the taxi scam is to research legitimate taxi companies and where to hail a ride. Second with the rise of services like Uber worldwide, you can alway use these services for even more transparency.
Currency Exchange Scams
These are the most frustrating. You go into well identified currency exchange spot only to get scammed out of your hard earned money.
These work in a couple of different ways so being vigilant will be your best defense.
Unfavorable Rates: This one is fairly easy to spot if you’ve done your research. In this case, the vendor offers a rate that is a bit more expensive than the current exchange rate. You can look this up yourself using apps like XE Currency tracker.
Hidden Fees: The rate looks good but they are now charging you some astronomical rate to make the exchange which they didn’t disclose.
Disappearing Money: This one is a bit trickier but also quite common. The agent counts the money in front of you (twice) so you know it’s the right amount. Then something distracts you for a second. You look away because something fell behind you or someone bumps your chair as they pass by. In that millisecond that you looked away, the scammer slides some of the currency off the stack and hands you what’s left. You may not even notice the money is less than you expected until later when you go to buy something. Then it’s too late.
How to avoid this tourist scam: The best way to avoid this is to use official currency exchange terminals or skip the exchange altogether and withdraw from ATMs affiliated with your bank. A little bit of research before you leave home can save you hundreds.
The Free Bracelet
I’ll admit. This happened to me in Milan, Italy. The scammer walked up and offered a bracelet without really saying anything. He secured it nicely on my wrist and then asked for money. Since I didn’t ask for the bracelet, I said I don’t have any money. Of course that made him upset and he stood in my way to keep me from leaving all while asking for money.
Thank goodness I was with my boyfriend who intervened and made the guy leave but this could have gone a lot differently.
I’ve only seen it with friendship bracelets and flowers but I imagine it could happen with anything. It is quite common in touristy areas across Europe where these vendors target tourists (particularly women).
How to avoid this tourist scam: Politely decline unsolicited items and don’t engage with persistent vendors on the street. Most importantly, don’t allow them to invade your personal space or touch you. This could be a set up for them to distract you and steal other personal items.
Distraction Scams
It’s hard to see this one coming. It begins with someone spilling a drink or something on you. They proceed to apologize profusely and offer to help get you cleaned up.
While you are busy trying save your favorite outfit, the scammer or an accomplice steals your belongings (phone, wallet, etc).
I’m not saying that everyone who spills something on you is trying to steal your valuables. I am saying there is a chance they are and you should be vigilant. Not every one is prone to accidents and not every nice person is just being nice.
This also happens when a someone approaches for loose change sometimes using a baby or a pet as a distraction. While your heart is busy bleeding because of their circumstances, their accomplice is stealing your wallet. I think this is how they got me on my first trip to Paris.
How to avoid this tourist scam: Stay alert to anyone who approaches you abruptly or invades your personal space. Keep your valuables in a secure anti-theft bag (perhaps something that has a locking mechanism that makes it hard to open).
Technology Hacks
This one is tricky as well but easy to avoid if you know what to look out for. Scammers take advantage of the fact that tourists are often looking for power sources and/or free wifi for their wireless devices (phones, tablets, etc).
They set up malicious hotspots and use it to steal your personal data as soon as you log in. You never see these scammers which makes it particularly challenging to identify.
Once you start to share data across the hotspot, they use software to intercept confidential information with you never being the wiser.
The power source scam is similar except in this scam, they attached malware to your device once you connect to the power source with a USB cable. Once the malware is on your device, hackers can track everything you do and steal all of your passcodes and other access details.
How to avoid this scam: It’s quite simple, don’t plug into that public charging stations with usb cords and don’t sign into unsecured wifi networks. Use your ac plug where possible or carry a portable charge pack to ensure you always have power.
Fake Tour Guide Scam
When you’re exploring a new city, especially internationally, it’s natural to want to visit the top sites and learn as much as you can about the history. Scammers know this and take advantage of your novelty.
It’s tempting to say yes to that “personalized tour” or special “fast-track access” to a famous site. But what seems like a lucky break can often turn out to be a scam.
Fake tour guides often look like the real deal. They might wear a badge, carry pamphlets, or know a few impressive facts about the location. But many countries have strict regulations for licensed tour guides which make the fake ones a bit easier to spot. There are a few easy ways to check if you’re dealing with someone legitimate:
Verify Credentials: Most reputable guides are registered with tourism boards or listed on trusted websites like TripAdvisor or Viator. Doing a quick search for the guide or tour company before committing can save you from being scammed.
Book Through Verified Sources: Websites like GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, and Viator offer tours led by verified guides. These platforms vet their tour providers, so you know you’re getting a professional experience. You could also go directly through a local tourism office.
How to avoid this scam: In addition the above, check guide reviews online. If a guide is legitimate, they’ll have a paper trail of reviews that speak to their professionalism. You should also avoid last-minute tours by a guide who approaches you at a tourist site. It’s best to decline the offer and book something through an official channel.
My Perspective
Traveling can be truly rewarding but it can also be very frustrating if you are not prepared. Always stay informed about common scams at the destination you’ve chosen. Stick to using verified services and official operators. Stay aware of your surroundings and don’t wander too far off from well lit areas.
Most importantly trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. Don’t let the fact that you are holiday throw you off your game. If we wouldn’t go for it at home, don’t go for it when you are traveling.
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FAQs On Avoiding Tourist Scams
How can I spot a tourist scam before it happens?
You can easily spot tourist scams before they happen by researching common scams in your destination and being aware of suspicious behavior. By staying vigilant, you can avoid becoming a victim.
What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?
If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact local authorities and your embassy immediately for assistance.
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