Most vacations go off without a hitch, especially when you plan ahead and make sure you’re protected from theft and fraud. However, no matter where you go, there are people looking to make a quick buck (or a couple thousand) from your lack of awareness in a new country.
Travel scams are everywhere, and avoiding them can be difficult when you don’t know the area well. To help you avoid trouble on your next vacation, we’ve prepared a list of 15 common travel scams, along with the best ways to avoid them.
#1: The Bait and Switch Scam
Where: East Asia
This scam typically runs in Chinese markets, although it pops up elsewhere. You haggle with a market trader over the price of goods, agree on a rate, and make the transaction. However, when you’re handed the bag with your goods, the product that you bought has been switched with something less valuable.
This scam most often happens in street markets, where tourists don’t pay attention to what they’re buying. Prevent it from happening to you by double-checking your goods before you leave the shop.
#2: Airport Taxi Scams
Where: Most low-income countries
You arrive at the airport, tired from a long flight. A stranger approaches you and offers what seems like a great deal on a taxi. However, once you talk to some locals or more experienced travelers, you quickly find out that you were massively overcharged for the fare, sometimes to the tune of five times the normal cost.
Prevent this scam by only using official taxi ticket counters. If there aren’t any around, hail a cab from the departure section. They’re generally looking for a fare to take back to the city, and won’t be looking to rip you off.
#3: The Free Taxi Scam
Where: East Asia, particularly Bangkok
This scam is particularly prevalent amongst drivers of Bangkok’s three-wheeler taxis, known as tuk-tuks. You’re offered an ultra-cheap taxi fare, usually half or even a quarter of the regular price. While the price is generally a good deal, the taxi driver tends to take you to several shops on the way to your destination, costing you a ton of wasted time.
This scam is effectively a commission sale. The taxi driver isn’t out to steal anything from you, and they’re in fact giving you a discount. They make money by bringing prospective customers to stores, generally tailor shops or antique dealers. If you find yourself caught in this scam, just walk away from the taxi and find another.
#4: ‘Friendly’ Gambling Scams
Where: Most of Asia, particularly Manilla
You’re approached by a friendly stranger (seeing a pattern here?) who invites you home. You’re wined and dined, and afterwards invited to a blackjack/poker game between your new friend and his buddies. Your new friend promises to rig the deck in your favor, allowing you to win more money.
Of course, you never actually win money. At best, you’re taken advantage of during the game and lose some small cash betting on bad hands. At worst, you’re drugged, robbed, and dumped in the middle of nowhere. Avoid this one by being careful about who you head home with, and backing out of any card games, should one be offered to you.
#5: Bar and Club Scams
Where: Everywhere
You’re drawn into a nightclub by pretty women, often with promises of free drinks. Once you’re in, the drinks seem free, at least until you try to leave. When you walk for the door, bouncers pop up and extort ridiculous fees for the drinks from you.
Avoid this one by checking any bars and nightclubs for people before you enter. Most good nightclubs should have a crowd, especially in big cities. Also, avoid top-floor bars if possible, as they’re generally havens for scams and prostitution.
#6: Gem and Jewelry Scams
Where: Bangkok
This one starts off like the typical Bangkok taxi scam. You’re approached by a friendly taxi driver, who offers you an ultra-cheap fare. However, instead of the usual harmless commission stops, you’re dropped off at a jewelry store that’s having an ultra-exclusive, one day only sale. You check out the prices and buy some jewelry, knowing you’ll crack a profit selling it at home.
The jewelry used in these scams is worthless glass, typically stained to look like a ruby or emerald. While there are some great deals on jewelry in Southeast Asia, unless you’re an expert you’re much more likely to end up ripped off than selling it for a profit.
#7: Ticketing Scams
Where: Rio De Janeiro
Want to go to Carnaval? Well, you need a ticket. Scammers approach you, offering the best possible tickets to the local parties at ultra-cheap prices. You see a great deal, pick them up cheap, and hope to get a great view of the action.
It’s a scam, as usual. You don’t need tickets to view the Carnaval parade in Rio, only to sit in the stands area. If you do want to hang out in the stands, get the tickets from a real agent, not some scammer on the street.
#8: Art Scams
Where: Beijing
This scam is the classic guilt trip setup. You’re approached by some art students, who are incredibly friendly and approachable. After some quick chit-chat, they invite you to their local art show, which is only a couple of blocks from where you are now. Once you get there, you’re guilt tripped into buying art, which is normally completely overpriced.
Avoid this one through caution. Yes, you might get approached by real art students in Beijing. No, you don’t have to buy their art. Avoid art shows, use your credit card if you purchase (chargebacks are the scam victim’s best friend), and always be cautious when you’re approached out of the blue.
#9: Fake Hotel Scams
Where: Vietnam
Looking for the Palm Hotel? Oh, there’s one here, one here, and one here. When a reputable hotel pops up in one of Vietnam’s major cities, imitators set up shop quickly. Many have taken to naming their hotels exactly the same as the original, and using touts and commission paid taxi drivers to drive tourists to them.
Always write down the real address of your hotel before you get a taxi there, and ask to go to the address, not the hotel itself. That way, taxi drivers won’t be able to scam you into visiting a ‘replica’ hotel.
#10: Rigged Taxi Meters
Where: Vietnam, particularly Hanoi
Most Vietnamese taxis are reliable and fair, but some drivers have taken to rigging their meter to move up to ten times as fast as standard. While you get to where you need to go, the cost is patently ridiculous. Occasionally, the driver will try to trap you in the taxi until you pay them.
Stuck in this scam? Scream “POLICE” at the top of your lungs. This scam is really illegal, and taxi drivers can end up in prison if caught doing it to tourists. If that doesn’t work, whip out your camera and start taking photos of the driver, their I.D. and the taxi’s license plates. Once the driver sees that you’ve got evidence of the scam, they’ll be in a hurry to let you go.
#11: Internet Cafe Keyloggers
Where: Everywhere
Some internet cafes frequented by travelers have keyloggers installed, which silently record every entered keystroke and mouse movement. If you log into online banking, email, or Paypal while you’re on the go, the operators could have access to your credit card and banking information.
There are two solutions to this problem. The first is to only ever use your own computer to check mail and bank details. The second is to try and avoid keylogger detection through a combination of copy+paste, on screen keyboard use, and rapid deletion of random keys during password entry.
#12: Rental Scams
Where: Southeast Asia, particularly Phuket and Bali
You rent a jet-ski, motorcycle, or other recreational vehicle, and then return it at the end of the day. Somehow, there’s damage to the vehicle that you have absolutely no idea about. You’re extorted out of money to pay for the ‘repairs’, even though you had nothing to do with the damage.
Always take photos of a rental vehicle before you hand over your payment, and never leave your passport as a deposit. If you’re put in a tight spot by a rental business, call the police over and have them sort out the situation.
News | admin February 8, 2010 | 
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