Top 10 Tourist Scams to Avoid
When you go on holiday, MANY of the locals will realise you are a tourist. Therefore, some of these people think that it's best to scam a tourist because they don't know much.Beware of these common tourist scams when travelling!
You probably do not know EVERY single street while on vacation, right? Taxi drivers would sneakily use this to your advantage. They would PURPOSELY take routes, roads and streets that have a lot of traffic or would take a very long route back to your hotel. Some of these have fake/altered taxi metres, where they can take A LOT MORE money from you then normal!
I was at Italy once, the taxi driver charged 100 euros from the airport to our hotel, it took an hour long to get there...when it should have taken 20 minutes!
Where does this happen mainly?
WORLDWIDE. Every country probably has taxi drivers that do this.
Beware!
You can avoid this by using a map app in your phone. I like to keep one out and enter my destination. Taxi drivers can't go off course, or else that would be suspicious.
A man or woman will suddenly offer you a friendship bracelet while you are sightseeing. If you say, NO, the person will still try and put it on your wrist, even if you are trying to let you go. They will then ask for a high amount of money just for a stupid bracelet that you didn't want on you anyway. While you are trying to let go, their friend might pickpocket your stuff, while you are distracted.
Best bet? RUN AWAY, if someone asks you to buy a friendship bracelet!
Go into a cafe, or a store!
Where does this mainly happen?
Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Cairo.
When you are taking photos, a friendly local might come up to you and offer to take a picture together (as a family, couple) You will obviously say yes, as there is not a picture of all of you together. He will ask you for money after the photo has been taken. What the hell?
If you refuse, this local will run away with your phone or camera! BEWARE! Never say yes to a random person who wants to take a photo of you all!
Where does this mainly happen?
Whole of EUROPE.
Not everyone is as friendly as they seem! You should not trust everyone! A nice person, sees that you are struggling at a ticket machine or a cash machine, maybe because it works differently. It seems like they are being really nice and making you understand (they probably speak English as well) they are peering over your shoulder and checking out your pin number so that they can rob your account later! They may slip their hand and grab the cash you just withdrawed!
If you still see the 'local' wandering near you after you asked them for help, tell them to piss off!
Where does this happen mainly?
EUROPE.
We have all heard of this before. Tourists are more likely to wear backpacks or side bags. Trains will be overcrowded and stuffed. Anyone can pickpocket anyone without them knowing, especially if it is in an crowded area. Keep your backpacks at the front, and squeeze any bags you might have!
Where does this happen mainly?
EUROPE
Also in China, but not so much on the train. Just in airports or generally crowded areas.
If someone bumps into you, they might be part of a team of theives...
Policemen that look official will come up to you will explain that they need to check your wallet for security purposes, or to make sure that there is not any fake cash in them. When they return it to you, cash might be gone! They might demand that there is a problem with your passport/visa and you might be arrested, but to avoid that from happening you have to pay a large fine that you probably can't afford!
Where does this happen mainly?
Mexico, Romania, Bangkok, Columbia
I saw this thing where there was a deposit box and this guy was standing by it in a police uniform while saying it 'doesn't work' and to just hand him your stuff. How on earth can a deposit box be broken?
A lady would drop a ring whilst you are walking, right in front of you.
She would ask if you dropped it. When you say no, she will be shocked and say that it is real gold (it's not) to make you want to buy it. Then, she would offer to sell you the ring, for a large amount of money.
Sometimes this could be when her accomplice is trying to pickpocket you, and you don't even notice.
Where does this happen mainly?
Italy and Paris
Two people, who look like hotel inspectors, might knock on your hotel door for room service, or saying that they need to inspect your room. One might distract you with conversation, while the other will go into your rooms trying to steal your stuff!
Where does this happen mainly?
Spain
Wow! I gotta say, I learned a lot from this list. The next time I go on vacation I'll watch out for these types of scams.
Sometimes when you are changing forms of money (like from euros to American dollars) you can't read the local language. Someone will help you and ask you what you want, like the amount you want to change. Then they will ask what your credit card number and password is. Do not tell them! They will remember this and steal your money!
So you stay at a hotel and in your room you see a stocked fridge full of snacks and drinks. You think that they're included with your hotel stay. WRONG! They have sensors and if you take an item or even touch/move it, the sensors are activated and they will charge you.
