I fell victim to two scams on the same day of my first major international travel.
I had just landed in Thailand with my friend Scott. In Bangkok, we were looking for a boat excursion that would allow us to travel up and down the Chao Phraya River. When we visited the company that a taxi driver recommended, we discovered that an hour-long tour only cost $30 USD.
We agreed without even considering whether it was a good bargain. That deal seemed reasonable to us, as we were still considering prices back home. We did not know we might have been duped until the boat tour ended early (after, we discovered we paid twice as much).
After lunch, we strolled towards the Grand Palace. There were no crowds when we arrived. We glanced first to the left and then to the right of the palace.
“Everyone, where are you?” I inquired.
We were approached by a resourceful tuk-tuk driver who informed us that the palace was closed for lunch. Scott and I exchanged glances. Perhaps it was correct. We did not see anyone, yet many museums occasionally do that. It looked doable. He offered to take us to some of the open ones.
We said, “Sure,” and ended up going to a number of temples as well as a suit store, a gem store, and a gift shop.
Afterward, he took us to the palace (which was unsurprisingly open). It was then we realized that it had never been closed — we had just been on the wrong side of the building.
We had been scammed.
There are travel frauds, and they differ from nation to nation. If you have a travel guidebook with you, it will mention the most prevalent frauds in that particular nation.
Today, I want to provide you with a list of typical travel scams to stay away from in order to help you stay secure.
It takes a lot of common sense and a healthy dose of mistrust to avoid travel frauds. If something looks too good to be true, it most likely is!
You should steer clear of the following more common scams:
1. The taxi overcharge
This 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. Many tourism boards let you report bad cab drivers so be sure to always make a mental note of their ID number when you get in the cab.
When in doubt, ask your hostel/hotel staff to call a cab for you. They will know which companies are reputable.
And never get in an unlicensed cab — no matter how amazing the deal is!
2. Your accommodation is “closed”
This is another cab-driver-related scam. In this scam, your driver will tell you your hotel or hostel is overbooked or even closed. It’s not. I mean, you wouldn’t have booked it if it was, right? Just ignore them and insist on going there. If they keep trying, continue to insist. They will usually shut up about it.
And while this seems like a scam no one could possibly fall for, people do. I’ve been in many cabs where they insist my hostel has been closed for months.
A word about taxis: We have power again in the age of smartphones. Because we can see the actual right route on a map, we are no longer powerless. I enjoy using Google Maps to choose the best route. I usually point to the map and tell them to go that route if it does not seem like they are taking it. (In Bangkok, I once got off a cab because the driver was trying to con me by taking a longer route.)
Thanks to inexpensive eSIMs, I always have data these days, but if I can not use my phone for whatever reason, I download the map to my phone. Even without a connection, the GPS on your phone will function. Additionally, drivers are held accountable by ride services like Uber, which significantly lowers the possibility that you will be duped.
3. The shell game
I see this one all the time — how people fall for it I’ll never know. It’s such an old and obvious scam. It’s in movies, for heaven’s sake! You’ll see people on the street playing a card game (sometimes known as three-card Monte) or hiding a ball in a cup and someone guessing where it is and winning money. Then you decide to play — and you win! Thinking this is great, you bet more money…and then you lose — and lose again and again.
Here’s a short video on how the trick works:
Don’t get suckered into this con. Remember, the house always wins!
4. “Come in for tea and help me write a letter!”
I was the victim of a travel scam while I was in Morocco. A man started up a discussion with me as I was leaving a convenience shop. When he learned that I was from New York City, he told me that his cousin resided there (the first prize) and asked if I could visit his store to write a postcard for him (the second giveaway).
The idea was to lure me into the store, offer me a cup of tea, and then coerce me into making a purchase. This makes use of the psychological concept of reciprocity: since he provided me tea and treated me well, I will soon feel compelled to make a purchase.
In a similar vein, a popular tea scam in China features a stunning local woman who wishes to perfect her English. Many males are more than willing to converse in English with a pleasant local because of the culture shock. You go to a tea shop (usually close to the Forbidden City) after she invites you to participate in a tea ceremony.
The proprietors eventually present you with the enormous bill and threaten to call the police if you do not pay. The majority of passengers pay since they do not want any issues.
Do not follow folks to another place or think they have a cousin who just so happens to reside where you do in order to avoid this!
5. Free bracelets/rosemary/anything they can put on you
This fraud, which is prevalent in Europe, involves a polite person approaching you for a little conversation before giving you a small sprig of rosemary, a cap on your head, or a bracelet around your wrist. They will demand money once you have it on you. They will start making a fuss when you decline, hoping you will be more inclined to give them money than to feel ashamed.
Do not let anyone put anything on your body, and be very cautious about taking anything for free. If they put something on you, just remove it, return it to them, and be forceful. After that, leave and carry on with your day. They will not pursue you.
The fake monk is another popular variant of this plan. This one can be found anywhere, including in Asia, Europe, and New York City. After placing a Buddhist bracelet on your wrist, the “monk” will want a “contribution.” Ignore any monks who appear to be selling trinkets because true Buddhist monks do not roam the streets selling inexpensive bracelets.
6. The spill on your clothes
Someone pours stuff on you while you are going about your business. ruins your day, but mishaps do happen, do not they? They offer to clean it up, dab at the stain, and express their sincere regret. They are picking your pocket as you are all in a panic. They are well gone by the time you realize what is occurred.
In Europe, this swindle is equally widespread. If the place is not already busy, be wary of others intruding on your personal space. If this occurs, shoo others away and tidy up on your own.
The “poo shoe” is a further variant of this. This fraud, which is very prevalent in India, entails someone spraying animal excrement on your shoe when you are not looking. As soon as you notice, they either “assist” you in finding someone to clean your shoes or do it themselves for a hefty cost. On the other hand, perhaps you will simply be pickpocketed while glancing down at your shoe to find out what happened.
In any case, be careful if you get feces on your shoe!
7. Motorbike scam
After renting a motorcycle, you go exploring for the day. The owner demands more money or costly repairs when you return it because there is damage you were unaware of. Sometimes they will ask you to leave your passport as collateral rather than a deposit “because it is easier.” They are holding your passport hostage, so you will have to pay a lot of money when they inspect the motorcycle later and “discover” additional damage.
In Southeast Asia and other impoverished nations, I frequently witness this swindle.
Take pictures of the bike beforehand to record any prior damage in order to prevent this. To let the owner know what you are photographing, go around it with them. When parking the bike, make sure it is hidden from view and off a major road. Use your own lock. Occasionally, the owner will send someone to take or tamper with the bike, forcing you to pay!
Additionally, always purchase travel insurance so you can file a claim in the event that something goes wrong.
(This fraud is considerably less frequent with rental automobiles, but it can still occur, so when you leave the parking lot, make sure the company is aware that you are taking pictures and videos of your car.
8. The flirtatious local
When you visit a bar in your new nation, a lovely native approaches you to strike up a conversation. You are in awe of your good fortune. You visit a new pub or club that she recommended after having some drinks and having a great discussion. But after a wild night and a lot of alcohol, the woman vanishes, and you have to pay an exorbitant bill while some incredibly large guys are pressuring you to do so. Or worse, you take drugs and wake up with nothing at all.
Another thing to be mindful of is that attractive locals may be “working” (i.e., a sex worker) if they are sitting alone at a pub. It is crucial to avoid awkward situations when you might have misinterpreted the “chemistry” as a business transaction that requires payment.
The easy way to deal with this is to be cautious of attractive locals who are extremely flirty, offer to take you to the best club in the world, or fetch you drinks. This is especially true if you stand out as a foreigner. You were not ten times more gorgeous after boarding a plane.
9. Your attraction is closed for lunch
As mentioned, this is what happened to me and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker! A friendly local approaches and informs you that the attraction you want to visit is closed for any number of reasons (religious ceremony, holiday, etc.). Then they’ll guide you to a different attraction or shop, where you’re pressured to purchase something or pay a lot for entry.
To avoid this, find the main entrance or ticket counter and see for yourself. Also, keep in mind that most attractions don’t close for lunch — they close for the day. Even better, look up the open hours before you go, so you know what to expect — opening and closing times are almost always available online. Don’t be like me!
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. They make some money, and you get some gold you can resell. It’s a win-win! You think it’s a good deal, buy it, find out it’s fake when you try to sell it at home!
This is common in Europe. One of my tour members almost fell for it when we were in Paris, but I intervened in time and sent the person away. The best way to avoid this scam is to not buy the ring. If it sounds too good to be true, it definitely is.
11. The fake petition
At a well-known tourist destination, a woman or child will attempt to persuade you to sign a petition by pretending to be deaf or a student. You sign the petition in the hopes that they would stop bothering you because you have no idea what they are saying. However, the petitioner then requests a monetary contribution. Anyone who falls for this fraud will, at most, lose some money; at worst, they will be pickpocketed while engaged in combat with the petitioner.
Even though I specifically warned him about this fraud, another participant of my trip fell for it, but I was able to save him in time. Simply ignore anyone who approach you to sign a petition to avoid falling for this scam, especially if they are in groups and attempt to encircle you. Simply continue to walk.
12. The drug deal gone bad
This scam is common in many developing countries — especially those with a lively party scene like in Southeast Asia. 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). If caught red-handed, you’ll probably pay the bribe rather than go to jail.
To avoid this scam, don’t buy illegal drugs in other countries!
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, hoping you won’t notice until after you rush out.
To avoid getting taken, count your change carefully every time.
14. The switcheroo
This is a global phenomenon that primarily affects shirts, carpets, rugs, and antiques. You come upon a designer item at a discounted price while shopping. Perhaps they purchased it in bulk? The owner eventually consents to sell it to you after some negotiating. However, he gives you a knockoff while you are not looking.
Keep in mind that no designer item will be so inexpensive if you want to avoid this fraud. Keep in mind that anything that looks too wonderful to be true is probably not.
Second, constantly keep an eye on what the vendor is actually sending you to make sure it is exactly what you ordered.
15. The ATM scam
A “friendly” local will come up to you when you go to use an ATM to help you avoid paying the fee. When they come close, they really use a card skimmer to capture your credit card details. A second person in line frequently poses as a customer and agrees with the advice given by the “helpful” individual.
Always utilize indoor ATMs within a bank branch to avoid this one. Additionally, keep an eye out for card skimmers on the ATM itself. This video demonstrates how to accomplish that:
Finally, when using an ATM, keep people away from you at all times. Take your card and walk away if someone is acting strangely.
16. Child & injured beggars
You can find this fraud almost anywhere. An injured person or little child (often accompanied by their mother) will typically come up to you and beg for money. This is difficult since you will feel obligated to assist. Sadly, many kids have been forced to join gangs and earn money on their behalf. In order to pickpocket you later, an accomplice may occasionally be waiting nearby to find out where you hide your wallet.
I never give money to injured beggars or children because it is impossible to tell who is genuine and who is not. Instead, I will provide them food or donate to a worthy organization.
17. Fake Wi-Fi hub
These days, everyone is always on the lookout for free Wi-Fi. One common scam hackers will do is create a free unlocked Wi-Fi hub and then, once you’ve logged onto it, they steal your data.
The solution? Never join any unsecured networks and always use a VPN when you’re abroad. It will keep your data secure. My go-to VPN is Surfshark
Additionally, don’t access any sensitive data while on an unsecured network, such as your online bank. And if you’re not sure what network to connect to, ask the staff. Better safe than sorry!
18. Fake currency scam
Someone may approach you in cities with numerous currency exchanges close to well-known tourist destinations and ask if you would like to exchange some cash. They will tell you they do not charge commission and give you an amazing rate. They may even wear a name tag or tell you they work for a local exchange. They will demonstrate to you how the money they display is authentic and not fake.
But after exchanging some, you will find that some of the notes—typically in the middle of the stack—are fraudulent, but by then the person has already left. Generally speaking, if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is, so only trust reliable currency dealers.***
You have probably been conned overseas at least once. It does occur. However, be cautious when someone offers you something in a tourist area to prevent being taken advantage of in the future. Consider this: would you choose it in your daily life at home?
If the response is negative, it is probably a scam that you should stay away from.
On the road, a little common sense goes a long way.
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! You can use the widget below to get your quote today:
