Even the most experienced travelers can occasionally fall for travel scams. Big cities are melting pots of all different kinds of people, and while you can make wonderful new friends on an adventure, it’s just as easy to meet more unsavory characters. Once you know what to look for, many scams are much easier to avoid. Read on to learn more about some of the most common travel scams, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’ve been scammed.
Friendship bracelet and good luck charm scams
Common throughout Europe, someone will tie a bracelet around your wrist and then demand payment for it. Sometimes this will be accompanied by an accomplice pickpocketing you while you’re distracted. Alternatively, someone will offer you a sprig of herbs or a flower as a ‘good luck charm’. They will then either pickpocket you or demand money for the ‘charm’. Some will even follow you around, creating a scene until you give in.
How to avoid this scam:
If you see anyone approaching you with bracelets or sprays of flowers, shake your head firmly and walk away before they reach you. Be wary of accepting things for free, and if something is put on you, firmly give it back and leave.
Fake petitions
Usually centered around large attractions and monuments in major cities, a woman or a child will approach you to sign a petition then demand a cash donation. The scammers often pretend to be deaf. They rely on your goodwill and awkwardness at not understanding them to con you out of your money.
How to avoid this scam:
Ignore them and walk away. They usually won’t follow you and you’ll be free to enjoy the rest of your day.
The cup and ball game
Usually, a game played on the street with cards or with a ball hidden in a cup. You can see people guessing and winning money. If you guess wrong, you’ll have to pay up. Those unlucky tourists who get suckered in will win the first round, then lose the next, and the next, and the next…
How to avoid this scam:
The game is rigged, so don’t join in. Often the other players are accomplices who purposefully lose while you watch so you think you can beat them.
Bumped on the metro
It’s a simple one. Someone will bump into you and while you’re distracted steal your valuables from your bag or pocket. This is common in the metro and in crowded areas such as popular monuments.
How to avoid this scam:
The easiest way to foil this scam is to make sure your valuables are spread out and secure. Keep items like your passport, bank cards, and phone in different places, not altogether. Opt for a discreet money belt or a secure bag rather than putting your wallet or phone in your trouser pocket. Make sure you carry your bag across your body instead of over the shoulder – it’s harder to snatch away.
Designer switches
You’re perusing stalls in a market or wandering through shops when you find the perfect item at an absolute bargain. Maybe it’s a designer handbag, a beautiful carpet, or an antique. But when the seller wraps it up out of sight, your ideal souvenir is switched for something much less valuable.
How to avoid this scam:
Remember that if a price tag seems too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you watch your purchase being wrapped up. Always double-check before leaving the store that you’ve got what you paid for.
Fake tickets
You arrive at the metro station in a brand new city and stand there desperately trying to figure out the ticket machine. A friendly local approaches you and offers to help, in fact, they have spare tickets they can sell you! Brilliant, until you reach the gate and find those tickets you just bought are fake. This also happens outside popular tourist attractions, with scammers offering discount tickets or exclusive access such as queue jumping.
How to avoid this scam:
Always buy your tickets from an official ticket booth or check for online options on the attraction’s website. Be aware of people who approach you in tourist areas, even if they look official.
Fake police
On the subject of looking official, fake cops are common around the world. These scammers will stop you and ask for your ID, then either demand a bribe to retrieve it or issue you a fake fine that they say can be paid on the spot.
How to avoid this scam:
Familiarize yourself with local laws and read your country’s official travel advice for your destination. Real police officers may ask you for your ID but they should not take it from you. If you are approached by police, ask to see their ID and show but never hand over your own. If you are issued with a fine, state that you will deal with it at the police station and do not pay anything on the spot. Your country’s embassy can be contacted if you experience trouble with the real police, and it’s a good idea to carry a copy of the embassy’s contact number.
Taxi scams
These are some of the most common scams around the world. Taxi scams come in a variety of flavors, including hiding the fare meter or pretending the meter is broken, giving incorrect change, or taking an unnecessarily long route and overcharging you.
How to avoid this scam:
Before you leave, make sure you know the ballpark of how much a taxi ride should cost. Asking at your hotel or hostel can give you a reliable answer. If the driver won’t turn on the meter or it’s going up far too quickly, ask the driver to pull over and find another taxi. Always use a licensed taxi, even if it’s more expensive! You can also use ride-sharing services instead, as they allow you to pay on your phone without negotiating the price.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
Before leaving for your destination, always make sure you have the numbers for your embassy and local emergency services. Depending on where you’re going, some places may have dedicated tourist police services which are especially helpful if you can’t speak the local language well. Report the incident to the police and always keep a copy of the report. If you’ve had bank cards or ID stolen, contact your bank to freeze or cancel the cards, then contact your embassy about replacing your ID. If you have travel insurance, contact them!
Don’t let the fear of scammers prevent you from taking the trip of your dreams. All adventures come with an element of risk, so instead of being put off – be prepared! Exercise common sense, be aware of yourself and your surroundings and walk with confidence and purpose. Stay calm and have fun!