Traveling can be one of the most amazing experiences in a lifetime. There's nothing that compares to soaking up other places and even cultures.
There's also nothing like flying to visit family you haven't seen in awhile, particularly around the holidays.
No matter what your reason is for traveling this season, you should know that you may be a target.
Scammers all around the world are identifying their next victims, and travelers and tourists are their red meat. Tourists are especially popular targets, as scammers assume that you're not travel savvy.
Well, if you learn these 9 common scams, you'll be able to spot them in advance and return from your vacation unscathed. Think about it: Getting your credit card stolen or replicated while you're trying to have a lovely time with your family might just put a damper on things.
Have you ever fallen victim to any of these scams, or are there any others that we missed on this list?
Please SHARE with your family and friends who may also be traveling soon to save them from a terrible trip!
1. The Broken Taxi Meter
Often at airports or other major travel hubs, cabs will be waiting to take you wherever you need to go. However, if they tell you their meter is broken, make sure you negotiate a price before you shut your door and buckle up. Some cab drivers will charge you hundreds of dollars for a $20 cab ride. If you're uncomfortable negotiating, just politely wait for another cab and make sure the meter is running.
2. The Local Who Wants To Help You With The ATM
Never let anyone help you with the ATM machine, even if they promise to save you from local fees. They could scan your card with a device in their pocket while peeping your pin number. Gracefully decline their help and look for another machine nearby where there isn't anyone watching your every move.
3. The Stranger Offering To Take A Group Photo
If you want a picture of yourself, you should probably be the one to ask the other party if they would be so kind as to take your photo. Often, scammers will offer to take a group photo of you and your fellow travelers, and then dart away with your phone or camera. Use your good judgement when choosing your photographers.
4. The Travel Ticket Deal
If anyone offers to help you skip the line with slightly higher-priced tickets or tempts you with discounted tickets, just say no. You never know when they are fake, and if they are, you'll be left stranded on the platform with no way to get your money back.
5. The Messy “Bystander”
Say a man walking by eating a hot dog accidentally sprays you with mustard. The total impossibility of mustard being spewed from a hot dog aside, keep your cool and make sure you put your bags between your legs. You never want to immediately drop your bags in a busy public place if this happens, because the hot dog guy's wingman is close by, ready to scavenge your things while you clean up.
6. The Up-And-Coming Artist
If someone on the street offers you a free CD of theirs, just ignore them and walk past, even if you like to support the arts. This artist will most likely bully you into giving them some money in exchange for their music.
7. The Beggar-Pickpocket Duo
A beggar will approach you and ask you for help. In this scam, there is a pickpocket nearby watching for where you keep your wallet so they can take it from you in a bit.
8. The Broken Camera
Another group of tourists asks you to take a picture of them, but the camera is broken. When you try to hand it back to them, they will purposefully lose grip and drop it, causing it to shatter. The group will demand you compensate them for the damages.
9. The Fake Takeout Menu
Sometimes in hotels, scammers will slip made-up menus under your door in the hopes you'll be too weary from traveling to go out for food. The thing is that they aren't a restaurant, just a person on the line taking your credit card info with the hopes of draining your account.
Will you be traveling anywhere this holiday season? Please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook to save them from these travel nightmares.
