Be careful of travel scams when booking that next vacation or that once-in-a-lifetime trip. Many people have been duped into a scheme and have had thousands of dollars stolen from them in some instances.
What gets so many people in trouble is the prospect of saving substantial sums of money by booking plane travel, lodging or other aspects of vacationing through third parties promising them.
The most dangerous fraud when it comes to travel are the bogus travel sites. Luckily, here is how to detect a fake travel website and avoid traps.
Be careful when booking your next vacation. Keep your eyes open, and learn about what travel scams are out there. See below:
How the scam works: The streets of Marrakech are so narrow in some places that travelers usually get lost in the maze. A big part in losing track of their whereabouts comes from many teenagers, who are actually misguiding the tourists on purpose. They are showing opposite directions when recommending the way, just to “rescue” […]
How the scam works: You are soaking up the sun in the Mayan Riviera and couldn't be happier about it. Strolling through the town nearest to your resort, freshly buzzed from your last margarita, you find a street vendor who sells great items for super cheap. He has everything: beer tees for $5, fake Oakley’s […]
How the scam works: Did you ever notice that wherever you travel the jewelry is much cheaper than wherever you live? And it just happens that you really find a good deal? Well, that’s because the scammers know the tourists’ mindset inside out. If you are in Mexico and you find a beautiful silver necklace […]
How the scam works: You are visiting Mexico City and a man with perfect English approaches you. After a few amiabilities, he claims to be a US Army veteran who has just been deported, the day before. He goes on about the unfair practice of the US Government to deport Mexicans who served in the […]
How the scam works: This is a scam that is particularly pulled in poor countries like India or Cuba. Let’s say you are in Mumbai, in the vicinity of the Gateway of India monument (photo above). A young person will start a conversation with you and advise you in a friendly way on what to […]
How the scam works: This scam was reported to be occurring in Moscow (Russia) or Kyiv (Ukraine), but chances are you could face it in any other country. As you are walking through the famous Red Square, amongst many other tourists, somebody (usually a well-built guy) is running between you and another person and “accidentally” […]
How the scam works: If you are traveling to Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) you might be approached by a monk. After he has introduced himself and you have enjoyed a pleasant chat, he will tell you about his temple. He will then ask you for a small contribution towards his studies or the building […]
How the scam works: You are in an airport or a train station, in a country that's not your own. You need to make a phone call back home, but you don't have the proper coins. Finally, you find a public phone that takes credit cards. The phone, just like many others, has a sticker […]
How the scam works: Monkey trainers will entertain you with their animals and let you take pictures with them. However, as funny as this might sound, some monkeys are trained to pick your wallet from a pocket or purse. The scam is not in getting the monkey to do it, as you will probably catch […]
How the scam works: You are going to a different country for a few weeks and are planning to rent a car. Since you don’t have an international driving permit, you research on-line about local driving licenses’ rules and regulations. You come across a website that offers temporary permits while there. Since you are on […]
How the scam works: Moroccan snake charmers and water sellers try their best to catch tourists’ attention. They are dressed in very colorful clothes and many travelers have their pictures taken standing beside them. Most of them are willing to have the pictures taken, only to make a scene a few seconds later, when they […]
How the scam works: You are in Istanbul and want to do a tour of the beautiful Bosphorus, which links Europe to Asia. The tour promises a great half-day of fantastic views, stops at old castles, etc. The price is not too shabby, either: 25 Turkish Lira (about $15, 10 EURO, or 9 GBP). As […]
How the scam works: Most of the scams that are being pulled by locals in the Philippines, Vietnam, or Thailand start with a phony friendship. Wherever you meet people (temples, store clerks, vendors, hotel employees) they might ask you where you are from, only to reply: “Oh, that’s so interesting, because my cousin moves there […]
How the scam works: Never buy jewelry when you are a tourist, especially from countries like Thailand or Mexico. The crooks are offering fake diamonds and sapphires that look real, making you pay $1,000 for a $3 piece of zirconium. The scammers will make you believe they know somebody at the “jewelry factory” and can […]
How the scam works: You are trying to buy some nice souvenirs in beautiful Mexico and find yourself in small talk with somebody who also seems to be a tourist. He will advise you about several fakes around, such as cheap quality Mayan statues made in China. What he will recommend as the perfect souvenir place is […]
How the scam works: (with video below) If you are visiting Pattaya, Thailand, and want to rent a jet ski, be very careful. Thousands of tourists have complained about a scam that is being pulled there. How does it work? When you bring back the jet ski, the agent will “find” damages on it (big, […]
How The Key Tossing Scam Works: This is a scam that happens mostly in Europe, where sidewalks are crammed with busy patios and coffee shops. Towards the end of the article, we will also offer you a video with 25 other scams you should be aware of while traveling. Let's say you are sitting at […]
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