Ripped off? Scammed? Fleeced? Check our list of travel scams to help you avoid them!
One of the inevitabilities of travelling is that eventually you will end up paying over the odds or buying something that you didn’t need at an inflated price – aka getting ripped off. It can be a taxi ride from the airport or a tour offered at a knock-down price that seems to involve paying a lot of tips to people. It’s something that happens to most travellers at some point and usually comes down to a combination of unfamiliarity with local currency or customs, jet lag and stress and often just a simple lapse in judgement.
To avoid getting ripped off generally, be aware of your surroundings and try and get a handle on exchange rates before you arrive. Check Numbeo.com for local costs before you get to a country. Don’t carry all your money in one place, try and keep a wallet or purse with a smaller amount of money in for simple transactions so if that gets stolen you won’t be completely cleaned out. Bear in mind the old adage, if it’s too good to be true – it probably is.
Remember that not everyone is out to rip you off and many times you will be enchanted by the genuine generosity of people wherever you may be in the world. Many people are happy to interact with foreigners in the same way that you want to travel. Remember that the whole point of travel is to enjoy and experience the best that the world has to offer and that the vast majority of people are happy to help you and give you the best they can. Rather than being defensive all the time, remain open minded and open hearted but use common sense.
By being aware of the pitfalls you can avoid getting ripped off, or at least minimise the risk of getting scammed or over-charged while travelling.
The Over Priced Taxi
This is a standard pitfall and usually happens at the point of entry to a country. Fresh off the plane, loaded down with luggage, unfamiliar with the currency and beseiged on all sides by strange and very enthusiastic men shouting ‘Taxi! Best Price! Where you go?’ it can be tempting just to go with the guy who offers the least ridiculous price. Then on arrival you find that you owe the guy the equivalent of $20 for a ten minute ride… That can’t be right? Can it?
How to Avoid
Insist on using the meter firstly as this is often the best way to avoid paying too much. Often though drivers will insist their meter doesn’t work. In this case, do some research about fares before you arrive. Wikitravel.org often offers some examples of local taxi fares and can help you prepare a maximum price in your head before you arrive. You can also ask locals in the airport or train station you’re arriving in and if you have a hotel booked perhaps ask them by email or on the phone in advance.
Hotspots: Everywhere
The Free Tour
You’re aimlessly wandering this enticing new city and a guy offers you a tour to see some of the best sights for free! Wow, people here are so friendly. Then on your way to stop number one he insists you stop at a shop to meet his cousin and suddenly you’re being pressured into buying a load of tat at what you’re sure is not the market rate. It get’s awkward or even intimidating so you pay just to get out as soon as possible…
How to Avoid
If it’s too good to be true it probably is. If someone is offering you something for free it’s generally a fair assumption that they’re are going to get paid somehow. If you want to go on a tour of the city/region find a reputable shop front and pay.
Hotspots: Asia – esp India, Thailand, Vietnam, South America
The Fake Policeman
This can be one of the most frightening and intimidating scams as there can be many people involved and one or more of them can be armed. It can happen by being stopped in the street and a man flashes you a badge and insists that you hand over your passport and your wallet. Or worse still there is a bang on the door of your hotel room and a group of men claiming to be the police want to search your room…
How to Avoid
Often the fake police scam will occur if you have bought drugs so generally speaking, try to avoid buying or using drugs. A man will sell you drugs and strangely just a few hours later men turn up claiming you will go to prison for a long time unless you pay them a lot of money.
If you’re approached in the street ask why they are searching you and if you feel there is no valid reason insist that they escort you to the local police station on foot – you should see a uniformed officer during this journey so ask them if they are aware of this procedure.
If you are visited at your hotel by people claiming to be police insist that you are allowed to contact the local police station to verify that this is a genuine check. If possible ask them to wait while you check. If you do use drugs try to avoid keeping them on your premises.
Try to remain calm at all times even if threatening language is used or weapons are present. The real police should have no use for intimidation if you are truly innocent.
Hotspots: Many places but be extra vigilant in Mexico and South America, India and South East Asia
The ATM Scam
You put your card in the ATM, type in the PIN but the machine crashes and your card doesn’t come out. You have to go and find a bank teller or a policeman and when you come back your card has gone. A few days later so has all your money.
How to Avoid
This can be a tricky one and often occurs in those ATM rooms on the sides of banks or shops, usually after hours or at night. Scammers will place a protective film over the keypad to clone your PIN and a small piece of plastic on the card reader which stops your card coming out. The best way to avoid this is use machines attached to banks during business hours or at least machines in public spaces where the tampering would be spotted by passers by. Be aware of people behind you or loiterers when you are at an ATM.
Hotspots: Everywhere
Car Hire and Bike Rental Rip Off
You find a place to hire a scooter for a few days, do the usual paying of the deposit and zip off sightseeing freely. Upon return the shop insists that small scratches are expensive to repair or that a new tyre is needed and an inflated charge is applied.
How to Avoid
Take some good pictures of the existing damage to any vehicles that your hire when you are checking it with the vendor. If you do cause any damage try to get it fixed before returning – mostly punctures or broken wing mirrors. You may find that in some countries the rental shop will pretty much always charge you an additional fee for wear and tear which will usually be a comparatively small amount. If possible try and use a reputable international company even though the rental charges may be higher.
Hotspots: Everywhere
Seduced by a Local
Alone in a strange new city and an attractive local guy or gal takes a shine to you – maybe this seems too good to be true but hey, your new tan is quite becoming and yes, you are very engaging company. You set up a tab at the bar but by the time you come to split the bill your partner has disappeared and the bill is pretty hefty. Or… You’re feeling a bit more woozy than you normally would be after this many drinks but stagger back to your hotel for some fun with your new friend. The next morning your wallet, camera, phone and tablet are gone!
How to Avoid
Common sense prevails and most of us know if someone is genuine or after our money.
Guys be aware that if a woman in a seedy bar asks for a drink, she might ‘work in the bar’ and her drink will be quite expensive. Don’t be too shy to ask the bar staff or even the lady in question if you’re are going to have to pay more for her drink.
Girls may find that attractive men in places such as the Caribbean, South America, parts of Asia and Africa will be very accommodating and are looking to provide a boyfriend service or holiday romance. Some will extract some sort of payment, normally as a present and without saying it is a payment for services.
Both sexes should stay aware of anything being put in your drink, do not leave drinks unattended – if you suspect a drink has been spiked, leave it.
And of course, always use a condom!
Hotspots: Everywhere
Gems, Rugs and Business Propositions
Many people head overseas looking for a bargain or to set up a business either on foreign shores or looking to trade. Perhaps buying bags of quality cut gemstones to turn into jewellery back home or even buying that perfect rug for your home abode. Mention this to a local and they will inevitably know someone who can get you ‘best price’ or ‘best quality’ and promptly whisk you off to a dingy shop in a market to haggle over items that don’t look quite so good once you get them home.
How to Avoid
Be aware of the local scams such as gem scams in Thailand or carpet scams in Turkey and Egypt. Research the market and work out what the price is for items before you hand over any hard earned cash and if you’re not an expert in gemstones be careful buying a bag of precious stones for a knock down price.
If you’re looking to set up a business on foreign shores do your research and work out what fees, certifications and general red tape needs to be sorted out before you start spending any money. There are many forums such as expatica.com and expatinfodesk.com where you can ask fellow expats what their experience is setting up shop.
As with anything in life, common sense and trusting your judgment will get you a long way. If a situation doesn’t feel right, walk away. If someone is trying to sell you something you don’t need, say no thank you and walk away. Try to remain positive at all times, you will find that a smile and being calm and polite will get you out of most tricky situations. If a situation escalates beyond your control remember that in most countries the number for emergency services is 112.
Hotspots: Everywhere
Stay safe!