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Nothing can ruin a trip more than falling victim to a scam.
Traveling is nothing new, and the experienced among us probably believe we know many of the most important ones, but it always pays to stay informed about today’s most common scams.
Insurance company InsureGo recently compiled a list of the most common travel frauds by analyzing the data of millions of users on the social media site Reddit.
The data, which was accurate as of September 2023, shows a wide range of scams operating around the world that could really spoil a trip you’re looking forward to.
So, here are the most popular scams and how to avoid them:
Taxi driver scams
These scams are among the most common in the world.
Tricks such as not having a meter and then massively overcharging you for a trip, taking an unnecessarily long route to increase the fare and even driving away with your luggage were all reflected in the data that InsureandGo collected.
I think almost everyone who has ever traveled seriously has had a taxi or tuk-tuk driver who has attempted a scam in one way or another; unfortunately it’s part of the game.
How to avoid:
Whenever possible, try to get official taxis that are properly licensed. If something seems strange about the taxi you’re considering getting into, it probably is.
Always ensure that the driver has a working meter. If not, it is a good idea to agree on compensation for your trip before starting your trip.
Using ride-hailing apps like Uber with good built-in safety features can help you avoid scams. However, they are not completely immune to it.
Friendly strangers
I’m ashamed to say that I once fell for this kind of scam in my younger years itself.
The premise is simple: a friendly stranger comes up to you and offers to show you around or wants to talk to you to practice his English.
They don’t seem to want anything from you right away, so it’s easy not to feel threatened.
Eventually they may see if you want to get coffee or something to eat at a nearby restaurant – but the scam is the fact that this ‘friendly stranger’ works for the establishment on a commission basis and will leave before you are charged way too much whatever was ordered.
I was lucky enough to haggle the high price a bit when I got stung by this, but the scam is still out there.
How to avoid:
It’s best to be vigilant when approached by strangers in places you don’t know.
It may seem like a harsh attitude to ignore everyone who wants to befriend you, since meeting new people is one of the joys of travel. However, try to be sensible.
If you are invited to an unknown establishment in this way, it is best to politely decline and say that you have other plans.
Restaurant scams
The temptation to try authentic restaurants that offer a more authentic experience is real when traveling, and that’s not a bad thing.
However, be careful of restaurants that often experience scams in this survey, such as excessive mandatory tips, charging for appetizers you never asked for, or simply overcharging for basic items.
Naturally, you expect to spend a certain amount of money when dining abroad, especially in tourist areas, but always make sure you have an idea of what things should cost by doing some research beforehand.
How to avoid:
I like to do extensive research on dining options when traveling.
I usually compare their reviews on multiple sources (Google, Tripadvisor and more) and read a few to get a general idea of what the place is like.
Spending five minutes on this before making a decision can help you avoid such scams.
Another great method is to get recommendations from fellow travelers who have already visited the place you are going.
Photo opportunities
This one is probably less of a scam and more of a general rule for street artists: if you take a photo of or have your photo taken with a street artist, don’t expect it to be free.
It seems that Reddit users have been caught out by choosing to do this and then being surprised when the artist tries to force you to pay.
Remember that anyone on the street offering entertainment is not doing it for fun; they do it to try to make a living.
How to avoid:
Not taking photos of street performers is the obvious answer, unless of course you’re happy to give them a few bucks so you can enjoy their show.
Don’t expect anything for free from people trying to make money for themselves.
Free gifts
If someone offers you a gift while you are traveling, be careful as this is a common scam.
These may be small and insignificant items such as flowers or bracelets, but it is very rare that these free gifts are actually free.
More often than not, you may be pressured to give the person money or donate to him or her because of the “free” gift.
How to avoid:
It’s very simple: When traveling, don’t accept gifts from someone you don’t know.
Always remain polite and smile at people, but there is nothing wrong with refusing any offer from a stranger.
Sometimes it really helps to make an effort to also learn a few words of the language of the country you are going to, to make your refusal clearer.
Read more:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
