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(#7) Before You Enter A Taxi, Make Sure The Meter Is Working
Most taxi drivers are honest, hard-working people, but as with any profession, there are some folks out there who will take advantage of an out-of-towner. Before you get into a cab, check the meter to make sure it isn't already running or broken.
If the driver tells you the meter is broken and they will let you know the cost, get out immediately. It's a scam, and they will demand much more money than the ride would otherwise cost. This is a problem in cities all over the world, and travelers have been threatened by drivers that demand hundreds of dollars for a 15 minute ride.
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(#6) Don’t Hire Travel Guides Off The Street
Arriving in a new city without a plan is never a good idea, especially when there are people waiting to take advantage of you. It might seem fun to hire the local who walks up and offers you a tour of their lovely city, but they may just take your money and leave you in an alley somewhere.
While there are certainly good people who offer tours right from the street, the bad guys have made it dangerous to trust anyone. And even if the offer is genuine, you don't know how much you could get for your money in a regulated environment.
It's best to set up a tour through your hotel or booking agent. Make sure it's a reputable company ahead of time and you'll have nothing to worry about.
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(#3) Be Suspicious Of Calls From Hotels To ‘Verify’ Your Credit Card Number
In general, you should never give private information over the phone when you receive a call. Instead, you should make the call (to a known number) and verify before you provide anything.
A popular scam involves calling hotel rooms to "confirm" or "verify" a credit card number. If this happens to you, simply inform the caller that you aren't comfortable giving the number over the phone. Let them know you will head to the front desk to do it in person.
In most cases, the scammer will hang up, but they may try to continue the scam. They'll suggest the desk is unmanned or say they want to save you the trouble. Don't fall for it. Always go to the front desk for anything related to your personal financial information.
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(#8) Don’t Give An Uber Or Lyft Driver Cash For Tolls
Getting a ride in a foreign land can be intimidating, but there are probably options you are familiar with. Ride hailing services like Uber and Lyft exist in most countries you will visit, and if you trust those apps in your home country, it's okay to trust them elsewhere.
Most of the time, these kinds of rides offer no problems, but every now and then, you may be asked to pay cash for tolls. Don't do this anywhere. If you have to travel on bridges or roads requiring a toll, both Uber and Lyft automatically factor that into the cost. Any cash you give to your driver is money you already paid.
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(#17) Don’t Buy High Fashion Or Expensive Items From Street Vendors
If you're walking down the street and someone offers to sell you a top-dollar item for very little money, it's definitely fake. High fashion brands use specific retail outlets to peddle their wares, which means the guy who opens his coat to sell you a $25 Rolex probably isn't one of them.
Fake watches, purses, and other items are commonplace in Asia and the Middle East, but you can find fake "deals" on the street of almost any country. If you want people to think you're sporting high fashion, go ahead and buy the cheap watch - just so long as you know what you're really paying for.
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(#1) Don’t Accept 'Free' Items From People On The Street
You know those announcements you hear in an airport telling you not to take items from other travelers? There's a good reason for that, and it's all about security. When you're out and about visiting a new place, watch for people who try to give you things. A free plush toy could have something nefarious hidden inside, and you don't want to get caught transporting anything unlawful. Politely decline freebies while traveling and you will remain safe and innocent of any legal or moral concerns.
Another concern involves accepting something that's "free," only for it to be followed by a demand for a donation. In this case, if a local makes a scene, it could be to compel you to give them money. It's also a great way to distract you while someone else picks your pocket.
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About This Tool
It sucks to get scammed by a stranger when you’re traveling on vacation, terrible travel experiences will destroy your day. Even after expert travelers who still get caught off guard from time to time. Although it is almost impossible to know when you will be scammed, it is important to know what types of travel scams exist and how to ensure travel safety on vacation.
As travelers, it is easy to think that we are smart enough to avoid being deceived by travel scams. But the reality is cruel. The random tool provides 17 useful tips to help tourists getting tide of scams on vacation.
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