40 Of The Most Common Tourist Scams You Should Be Aware Of When Traveling
The only reason these scams might still work is that not enough people know about them.
Tourist scams can turn a dream trip into an expensive lesson fast, especially when travelers are distracted, unfamiliar with local customs, or simply trying to enjoy themselves. In busy cities and popular destinations, that mix can make even simple interactions feel a little risky.
This roundup pulls together some of the most common tricks used against visitors, from small distractions to more organized schemes. The infographic behind it highlights where these scams tend to show up, and why they keep catching people off guard.
Some of the tactics are so ordinary that they barely look suspicious until it is too late. Read on, and a few of them may start to look very familiar.
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The rose
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Games
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The shoe shiner
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The photographer
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The music artist
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Taxi and bus
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Drop and swap
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Pickpockets
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Cashier
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A great deal
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Fakes
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Maps
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Free massage
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Flirting
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Students
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The postcard
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Charity
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The closed hotel
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The room inspectors
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“Many of the most successful gambits require a naive and trusting tourist. But don’t think it can’t happen to more sophisticated travelers, too,” American traveler Rick Steves wrote.
“There are many subtle ways to be scammed, a cabbie pads your fare, a shop clerk suddenly inflates prices, a public Internet terminal records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a ‘special’ increased price. Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change.”
Just remember: If a bargain appears too good to be true, it is too good to be true.
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