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.
Tourists are often unfamiliar with the area they’re visiting, its people and customs, and need guidance to get around. Luckily, most locals are friendly and willing to help. However, there are those whose smiles and friendliness are merely a mask, and their real goal is to take advantage of tourists and steal their money or belongings.
These scammers specialize in tourist fraud, and they are clever. Their schemes are usually very complex and difficult to see through. They’ve developed methods to remain undetected, and victims often realize they’ve been conned only after the scammers are long gone. They are well-versed in local laws and sometimes avoid jail time even when caught.
To help tourists avoid these kinds of troubles while visiting other countries, a UK-based travel website shared an infographic detailing the most common tourist scams and the locations where they most often occur.
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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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