13 Travel Scams You Should Take Seriously

This is one of the most common scams. You arrive in a new place and you're immediately surrounded by touts offering to take you to a very nice hotel or to help with your bags. In most cases, these folks are not officially sanctioned. Some might be offering to legitimately help, but there's no sure way to tell that they're not going to take you to their uncle's lame and overpriced hotel.

Instead, ask for help from an official tourist bureau or stay in a trusted hotel for the first couple of nights. There you can relax and the concierge will be able to advise you on where to go and what to do. If you're booking your hotel online, watch out for these red flags.

Renting a car, motorcycle or scooter can be problematic if you're not using a well-known company. Even then, you should take precautions. Scammers will accuse you of doing damage you didn't do — and then try to get you to pay for it.

An easy way around this is to always take pictures of vehicles you rent, especially existing damage. Now you have proof of the condition of the vehicle before you rented it. Make sure you take the pictures in front of the clerk, so they know that you're not an easy mark. If there is a contract, make sure that the damage is noted on it.

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In many parts of the world, fake taxis are a big problem and a really annoying thing about travel. To make sure you get a real one, have your hotel or hostel book it for you. Even regulated taxis can be problematic — so always fix a price before you get in or insist that the meter is used. Another option is to use a service like Uber or Lyft. If you have any concerns at all, pass on the ride.

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Pickpockets are everywhere and they often work in groups. Someone innocently bumps into you while someone else is cutting open your backpack or lifting your wallet. Be conscious of your surroundings at all times and carry only a minimal amount of money and ID with you. Leave the rest locked up in your hotel's safe. You might also consider carrying a "mugging wallet" that contains just a little bit of local currency and some expired credit cards.

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You should always keep an eye on your bags, but there are times when you can't. If you're on a shuttle or public bus, your luggage may end up on the roof. Keep your most valuable stuff with you at all times in a separate bag.

In one scam, bus or shuttle drivers will say you can't keep a bag on your lap. The idea is that you'll put it on the roof or somewhere out of sight where someone can go through the bag. Tell the driver no and if that doesn't work, take the next bus or shuttle.

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It's easy to get scammed changing money, especially from unlicensed money changers. You'll usually find them hanging out at border crossings. The danger is that you'll get a terrible rate but it's also a bad idea to flash cash in public. If you absolutely need some local currency, covert only a very small amount. Otherwise, wait until you're able to get to a legit exchange bureau or bank.

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The prevalence of bank machines around the world has made it so much easier to travel. But they're also where you'll find scammers and thieves. If there are people hanging around a bank machine, find another one. Never let anyone "assist" you and walk away if someone is trying to peer over your shoulder.

If you need to use a bank machine, always use one indoors, preferably at a bank, as machines on the street are prone to having card scanners attached to them.

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Not all beggars are scammers and many developing countries have little in the way of social safety nets. But that's not to say there aren't people who will take advantage of your big heart. So what do you do? Donate to a local charity that helps the less fortunate or give the person food or clothes instead of money.

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Using public WiFi networks like those found in coffee shops can allow hackers into your computer or phone without you realizing it. An easy way to avoid these scammers and save your phone's battery when travelling is to simply turn off the WiFi on your device. But when you do need to use WiFi, make sure you're secure. The solution? A VPN or Virtual Private Network from a company like AirVPN. You'll connect normally, but your data will pass through a secure tunnel that will keep it hidden from prying eyes.

When you're travelling, it's easy to let down your guard, especially with other travellers. And while you should always be open to people, you still need to be careful. There are scammers who hide their ulterior motives by appearing to be just like you. They'll lull you into a false sense of security and then take advantage of your trust. Whether it's borrowing money or stealing, it can easily happen. Yes, give people the benefit of the doubt but at the same time, don't make it easy for a scammer to take advantage of you.

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Beware of deals that offer something that is highly desirable at too good a price to pass up. In the case of property rentals, this type of scam offers up a highly desirable (but never available) rental, only for you to be told upon arrival that it’s no longer available. You are then steered to a much less desirable option that was always the dealers intent.

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Someone approaches in traditional regalia, and offers to take a picture with you. A man dressed as a monk ties a bracelet around your wrist. Someone hands you a rosary, or flowers — even tissues. In this type of scam, the giver is not looking for a simple smile and ‘thank you’. They want money and if you don’t reciprocate their ‘gesture’ they will cause a commotion, pressuring you to pay (sometimes for something that can’t be undone). To avoid this, do not accept anything unsolicited or return it right away. In some cases, it may be best to avoid eye contact all together.

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You should be mindful when being approached that even those offering to ‘help’, may not be looking out for your best interest. In fact, they may be trying to suss out an opportunity to capitalize on you being caught off-guard. For example, someone may approach and offer to take a picture of you and your friends, only to run off with your phone once you hand it over. In another variant of this type of scam, someone signals you to stop or to pull over due to a problem with your car. You do so, only to discover your ‘helpers’ actually intend to rob you. In certain parts of the world, robbers may even lay traps like pot holes in poorly paved areas, and lie in wait to offer ‘help’, only so they could demand money. In any instance, don’t trust a stranger with your belongings (i.e. phone or camera), and don’t immediately yield to their flagging. Pay attention to your vehicle and if you must pull over, find a busy area such as a commercial district or another public space.