Anti-Travel Scam Tips: Don’t Leave Home Without It
Client: US Website
Ghostwriting
Whether you’re a seasoned jet setter or a first-time traveler to a local or international destination, make yourself aware of these common travel scams that plagued many countries.
Here’s what you need to know in order to secure your personal safety when traveling to an exotic country.
Overpriced Cab Rides
When you’re a tourist, the most familiar thing to you is a cab ride. First timers in Hong Kong and Malaysia are often intimidated about taking the trains and buses. So the best thing is to take a cab.
While there is nothing wrong with taking a cab, be wary of taxi drivers who will try to raise your fare so high or drive you around in circles. Before jumping into a cab, research ahead on how much it usually costs and consult your map.
Moreover, politely reject any offers to drop by any antique stores. Just say that you are in a hurry to check in at your hotel.
Fake Police, VISA Scam
Many tourists have fallen into the traps of the VISA scam. While visiting a tourist destination, some unfortunate travelers are approached by men in uniform demanding to see their travel papers. These “fake police” will say that something is wrong with your papers and that you should pay a fine of this amount in cash.
As a foreigner, images of a local jail and bail with make you sweat. Unless you really are an illegal immigrant, inquire steadily to be brought to the nearest police station so you can both settle what’s wrong with your VISA. The fakest police will see your smarts and will just walk away.
Before you fly to another country, save emergency local numbers on your phone so you can simply call that number when you find yourself in a tricky situation.
Local Girls + Tea Shops
Male tourists beware of friendly local girls who ask to be accompanied to a local tea shop or bar. Little do you know, you might end up paying for more than just two drinks.
Jewelry or Antique Dealers
In many Asian countries, pushy taxi drivers will try to persuade you into stopping at a local antique or jewelry store where the owner will try to talk you into buying a rare gem or antique piece. The price is usually too good to pass up and you will often think that hey I can sell this at home at a higher price.
Most of these antiques are fake and the driver who just drove you to that location are in cahoots with the dealers, earning a portion of what you pay if you take the bait. Buy your souvenir items at legitimate stores.
Motorbike or Scooter Scams
One of the most romantic things you can do is to explore a city riding a motorbike, a Vespa to be exact. Just imagine that warm wind on your face, and the city just breezes by. But what happens when your bike suddenly goes kaput and you’re stuck on the road? Minutes later, you call the owner of your rented bike and he demands you pay for the repairs, if not overhaul, of the bike saying it’s his livelihood etc.
As a humanitarian, you dole out cash for the repairs, without even thinking that you are being scammed.
Unless you literally drove the bike into a brick wall or a fountain, do rent from legitimate businesses and take a photo of the bike before you take it out. Don’t trust bike lenders referred by local guest houses.
Stolen Bikes Scam
After taking our advice on rented motorbikes, the rental company gives you one key and the other key stays with them.
After a day of bike fun in the sun, you park your rental at a safe spot and lock it. After an hour of sipping espresso, your realize that your bike has been stolen. You panic. You call the rental company and you are lead to believe that it has been stolen and that you are liable for the stolen unit when, in fact, one of the guys from the rental company followed you and “stole” your bike using the other key.
If you plan on renting a motorbike during your vacation, carry your own lock and key. But don’t tell that to the rental company as they may insist on getting your spare key.
Travel Agency Scam
One of the most common scams is the travel agency scam. They offer you a package that is such a steal you can’t wait for pay up right that very minute. They send you photos of the hotel and how much it would cost outside of the agency and then they throw in several more freebies. However, when you arrive at your hotel, you are shocked to find that the photos they sent you to have nothing to do with the hotel right in front of you. You’re lucky if the actual hotel even exists. You try to call the agency but you can’t get through.
When planning a vacation through a travel agency, better check the hotels they mention and inquire directly. With websites like TripAdvisor and agoda.com, checking out a hotel is as easy as one-two-three.
Better yet, why not plan your own vacation itinerary? With everything available online, it’s so easy to book that flight, that hotel, and that itinerary.
The Ring Scam
While waiting at a tourist spot, someone finds a golden ring and asks you if you lost it. If you say no, he tells you that the ring is valuable and that you can have it for this amount and you can sell it a higher price when you go back home. If you’re smart, you’ll figure out that this is an age-old scam.
Bird Shit + Swift Stealing
Getting splattered by bird shit from the skies is truly an annoying fit. Be wary of strangers suddenly walking to you with a towel in hand and offering to help you clean up. Little do you know, your watch, wallet, and other valuables are being stolen.
