We’d all like to believe that we are too street smart to be fooled. However, the truth is getting scammed could happen to any one of us. As a tourist in a foreign country, one is even more vulnerable to getting ripped off. From getting ridiculously overcharged on cab rides to unknowingly revealing credit card information, travel scams exist the world over.
Here are five of the most common international travel scams and a few tips to avoid them:
1. Bogus travel agents
The convenience of booking an entire travel itinerary online can be appealing, but prospective travellers are warned about rogue travel agents that look like legitimate entities. The first thing that should raise your suspicions is a travel package that seems too good to be true. Never pay for anything unless you are really certain you are dealing with a reputable firm.
2. Currency short-change
Familiarise yourself with the currency of the country you are visiting to ensure that when you make cash purchases you get the right change. Some unscrupulous vendors take advantage of foreign travellers by claiming you have underpaid them, this is a ploy to confuse and get more money out of you simply because you are not familiar with the local currency.
3. Counterfeit entertainment tickets
When travelling for leisure, entertainment is top of mind, but be warned! Never buy tickets to an event such as a music show or soccer match from a stranger on the streets. While the deal may seem too good to ignore, it’s probably a scam. If there’s an event you would like to attend, purchase your tickets from a reputable outlet.
4. Fake guides
Do not accept help from any random stranger who introduces themselves as a tourist guide as they could be part of a criminal syndicate. Their modus operandi is to lure travellers into spending money on expensive items or excursions for which they get a commission. No matter how friendly they appear to be, always be cautious before accepting help from anyone offering to take you around site seeing. To safeguard against scams, always use a guide allocated to you by the travel agency.
5. Card fraud
If someone calls you from the hotel you have booked into to verify your bank card details over the phone politely decline and proceed to the front desk to check if this call is legitimate. Scammers can get hold of your information through information peddling, and call you at an odd hour claiming to be from the hotel booking desk calling to verify your payment details. This is usually a scam, once you have given your card details you will notice transactions coming off your account that are not related to your trip.
Falling victim to a scam while travelling overseas can potentially ruin your travel experience. Before embarking on a new adventure, do a little research about the country you will be visiting and how things work over there.
Source: FNB Corporate Communications
Compiled by: Seithati Semenokane / Courant News
