Traveling overseas is perhaps the most rewarding thing you can do, introducing you to new communities, cuisine, and cultures. Being a tourist, though, also makes you an easy target for cons. From being ripped off to phony services, scams are sadly rampant in most tourist destinations. Knowing how to avoid them not only saves your money but also makes your holiday full of wonderful memories.
Here's a complete guide on how to avoid tourist scams when you travel abroad, with simple tips and examples on how to stay safe. And, we'll also talk about how you can already save money from the beginning by buying your flight ticket without convenience fee.
One of the simplest ways of protecting yourself is to prepare prior to departing the plane. Learn about the most prevalent scams in your destination country. Most travel forums, blogs, and government tourism sites publish these scams and how they are carried out.
Examples of popular scams:
Transport scams are also some of the most prevalent tourist scams. Impersonators presenting themselves as taxi drivers, overcharging fares, and diverting journeys are only the beginning. Use only licensed transport services. The majority of nations have licensed taxi services with registered vehicles and recognizable badges.
Tips:
Make use of ride-sharing like Uber or Bolt, where the fare is displayed before payment. If you get a local cab, agree on a price before you start driving or ensure the meter is on.
Reject unwanted transportation invitations at airports or tourist areas.
To save cost even before your journey starts, look for a flight ticket with no convenience fee to escape additional fees usually paid in advance when booking.
Whether it's a high-cost tour at rock-bottom prices or a name-brand watch being sold at a street market, there's a good chance they're scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will bait tourists with bargain-sounding deals and then either have them leave with nothing or charge them afterwards.
What to look out for:
Always reserve from trusted websites. When budgeting, make intelligent money decisions like seeking an airline ticket that has no convenience fee — a little money that makes a big impact on your journey.
Pickpocketing is widespread in tourist areas throughout the world. The busiest buses, markets, and tourist areas are the most common places.
Preventive measures:
And never leave your bags alone, for even a moment, in public places.
Although it's great to have friends overseas, not everyone's intentions are good. Certain scams start with someone helping you carry your bags, providing information, or offering advice. After you have trusted them, they will take you somewhere, perhaps a certain shop where they will earn you a commission.
Be careful when:
It is more advisable to politely decline help and use the official maps or guides.
Another frequent mistake is poor exchange rates or concealed money charges at unofficial money changers. These shops are usually found in tourist areas and take advantage of unsuspecting travelers.
What to do
Also, utilize credit or travel cards with no foreign transaction fees wherever you can.
Regardless of your hotel, tour, or theater ticket, always purchase from authorized sellers. Scammers also appear as tour operators or travel agents in disguise to cheat tourists into pre-paying for non-existent services.
Secure booking protocols:
Similarly, you would compare websites to book your flight ticket at a good price, always opt for one that doesn't impose convenience fee on you after you have booked your flight ticket to avoid extra charges unnecessarily.
Scams can be a safety problem if you're alone or can't find help. Always let someone at home know what you're doing. Access to local mobile data also enables you to research things along the way.
Recommendations:
Lastly, if it doesn't seem right to you, trust your instincts. Travelers tend to second-guess themselves for fear of being rude or offending locals. But your safety is paramount. If you feel uneasy, walk away, get help, or call for police. Better safe than sorry.
Final Thoughts
Travel is really all about discovering the unknown, but that is not to say you must travel into traps blindfolded. Remaining vigilant, doing a bit of research, and being cautious can lead you to avoid most scams abroad and enjoy a great trip. Begin your travel planning on the right note by being cost-conscious — look for a flight ticket with no convenience fee, book confirmed services, and always stay vigilant.