The first question should be: How can you spot a travel scam? If you can answer this key question, you will have a lower risk of falling prey to such. Knowledge is power, as a popular line says. So, to begin with, what is a travel scam?
Scam per se is anything that is bogus or dishonest. This is done in the attempt to swindle you of your money. There can be many instances wherein an individual can become a victim of scams. This article is aimed towards helping you spot scams that often may occur between your travels. Whether you are in your home country or in a foreign one, version of these scams can and will happen. So, it is in your best interest to always be on the lookout. Don’t think that by being too careful it will spoil the fun of traveling. What is sure is that if you do get scammed, stress will follow the rest of your vacation. So, let’s get smart and outsmart these crooks.
These are some Common Scams Around the World. How to spot them and how to avoid them:
TRAVEL AGENT/AGENCY SCAM
This should be top of mind, as this will make or break your travel plans. More than one friend had recounted in the past how they experienced getting scammed by a supposed travel agent or travel agency luring victims online to avail of their travel deals that seem really cost effective. After they get you to sign up, the next thing they would do is collect the money from you and then they’d disappear in a blur.
If you don’t have the luxury of time to plan the whole trip yourself and you prefer to seek help from a travel agency, make sure that first, you go by something that has recommendations from a family member or a friend. Second, they have working contact information like a landline phone and/or cell phone number/s, and last but not the least, that they have the proper permits to do the business for you.
TAXI SCAM
Taxi scams can come in different forms. Most of the time cab drivers will tend to overcharge you from the airport to your hotel or destination. Remember that metered taxis are not allowed to come into agreement with you on the price of the fare because that would beat the purpose of having the meter on their cab. Bawal kontrata! They do not have any right to dictate the amount of fare that they should charge you. At times they would reason with you that the meter is busted and there is a need for you to agree to an amount, or at times they will not inform you that the meter has been manipulated for it to run higher than usual. To avoid this situation, get an accredited airport taxi or call the hotel you are booked in or plan to get a booking at, and ask if they have a shuttle service that can fetch you from the airport.
Also, there are cab drivers who would pull a different modus. Having mentioned hotel bookings, they would attempt to convince you that the hotel you are going to is already full, for them to bring you to another hotel where they get a commission for bringing in patrons. Just tell the driver that you already have a confirmed hotel booking and to proceed there.
It is also best, especially if your trip is outside of the country, that you equip yourself with internet connection on your phone, or familiarize yourself with internet connections availability in the place that you are travelling to. This is to ensure that you have a viable way to get directions and look up fare estimates from point A to point B.
You may want to look at availing wifi rentals when you get to your destination abroad. Example: In Japan you can rent a pocket wifi in one airport and return the gadget in the same or another airport.
CASH and CARD SCAMS
Get to know the currencies of each place you are taking a trip to. It would be very easy, for example in a small restaurant after you hand over your payment to the cashier at the counter, to say that your bill is a counterfeit copy even if you withdrew it from an ATM or got it from a legitimate money changer. Scam-cashiers would have been able to switch your paper bill real quick while you weren’t looking. Just be very cautious and don’t look away from the cashier, because while you keep looking, he or she won’t have the slightest chance to pursue the bad deed against you.
If you are using a credit card or debit card for your purchases, make sure that you get to see your card swiped on the terminal that’s at the counter, not anywhere concealed. Stores and shops in most western countries would have you swipe the card yourself or tap your card or their machine.
For cash withdrawals on an ATM, always go to a machine that is in a secure place. Never allow anyone to approach you while you withdraw. If anyone does, cancel the transaction and walk away. If you have a travel buddy, tell your companion to be there with you as a lookout. Cover the keypad on the ATM with your other hand when entering the pin.
PHONY PEOPLE SCAM
There are those that will come in the disguise of a Good Samaritan. Will help you with your luggage for example, but without you looking, you’ve already been pick-pocketed. Others will pretend to be calling from the hotel desk to confirm your credit card information. Verify this information at the desk not over the phone.
Plus, the most common of this type of scam are individuals pretending to be Police Officers. This is so they can get a hold of your pertinent information on your passport and other travel documents. Do not agree until they can give you a legitimate ID and to only present your documents for inspection at an actual police station.
Your rule of thumb as a tourist is to avoid talking to a stranger who approach you for random reasons. It’s worth to be prepared. Enjoy your travel and bon voyage!