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]]>Stay Alert, Stay Safe
Keep your radar up for common travel scams, like over-friendly locals offering unsolicited help or fake taxi drivers preying on unsuspecting tourists. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to politely decline any offers that seem suspicious.
Watch Your Stuff
Keep your belongings secure by using a crossbody bag and avoid carrying valuables in easily accessible pockets. Be extra careful in crowded tourist areas and public transportation hubs.
(@spreefee.handmade.bags)Research Local Prices
Before making purchases or agreeing to services, research typical prices for goods and services in the area. This way, you’ll be better equipped to spot inflated prices or scams aimed at overcharging tourists.
Use Official Services
When booking tours, transportation, or accommodations, stick to reputable companies and official websites. Avoid booking through third-party platforms or individuals offering special deals.
Protect Personal Information
Be careful when sharing personal information like passport details or credit card numbers, especially over public Wi-Fi networks. Make sure to use a VPN or cellular data connection for secure transactions.
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]]>The post Avoid These Common Tourist Scams During Your Next Trip to Europe appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Charity Scams
One of the most popular scams in all major tourist locations in Europe is a charity scam. You’ll get approached by an individual who’ll ask you to spare a small amount for some cause. They will have accreditation and hold a piece of paper where they write the names of benefactors. You should politely decline, as it is most likely a well-organized group of scammers that are trying to take advantage of your sympathy. If you really want to help, research the organization online and then make a donation through the web if it’s legit.
Buddhist Monks Scam
You might be surprised to see quite a few Buddhist monks in Europe. But no, they have not come from Nepal to see Rome or Paris. Instead, they are probably scammers who will try to take advantage of you. Their most common method is to slip a “friendship bracelet” on your hand, pretending they are free. However, once you accept it, they will ask you to pay for it.
“Accidental” Spill
This happens all over the world, and Europe is no different. A person will bump into you and spill something on your clothes. They will dramatically apologize while trying to clean you up. Simply refuse and continue walking, since their friend is nearby waiting for a chance to steal your wallet and other valuables.
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]]>The post Most Common “Friendly Stranger” Scams You Should Be Aware of When Traveling appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Drink at the Bar Scam
A friendly local will find a reason to approach you and start talking with you. They will act like they want to get to know you better and invite you to have a drink at the nearby bar. If you accept, you’ll be taken to their friend’s bar, where you’ll end up having to pay inflated prices for drinks.
ATM Assistance Scam
A scammer will approach you while you’re trying to withdraw money from an ATM. They will offer to help you avoid fees or navigate through a confusing menu. However, what they truly want is to memorize your pin, planning to pickpocket you later. They also might just take your money after you withdraw it and run.
Pickpocket Warning Scam
A stranger might approach you on the street or in public transportation to warn you that someone has just been pickpocketed. They hope you’ll check your valuables at that moment, revealing their location and making it easier for them or their accomplices to pickpocket you.
Broken Camera Scam
A friendly stranger or a couple will ask you to take a photo of them with their camera. After you snap a photo and go on to return the camera, they will drop it and act like it’s your fault. They will then try to make you pay a ridiculous fee for “repair.”
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]]>The post Most Common Transportation Scams You Should Be Aware of When Traveling appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Overpriced Taxi Scam
This is the one that you can encounter all over the world. If they notice you are a tourist, some taxi drivers will try to overcharge you for a ride. Make sure they have the taxi meter running before the start of the ride. Also, you should ask for a ballpark price before getting in to see if it’s acceptable.
Cheap Overnight Bus Scam
Be wary if you find an overnight bus ticket for cheap. Besides not being comfortable, drivers or their accomplices have been known to go through the passengers’ luggage and steal valuables from them.
Busted Tire Scam
Even if you get a rental car, you still might become a victim of a scam. Scammers will purposely puncture your tire and then offer you help to change it. They may later ask you to pay for their services or even use the commotion to steal your stuff from inside the car.
Discount Ticket Scam
You might be surprised to hear that ticket scams are still a thing. A person might approach you and offer you a cheap ticket for a train or a bus, saying that they can’t make the trip. You should know that the ticket is either fake or has already been used.
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]]>Stain on the Clothes Scam
There are several variations of this scam, but they work on a similar method. Someone might “accidentally” spill something on you or “notice” a stain on your clothes. They will offer to help you clean it on the spot and try to get their hands on your valuables. There might be a second person involved who will do the pickpocketing while you’re distracted.
Friendship Bracelet Scam
You will be approached by a person offering a friendship bracelet, making it seem like it is free. Even if you decline, they will try to put it on your hand. If they succeed, they will ask you to pay for it. The same will happen if you accept other kinds of “gifts” like music CDs and flowers.
Photography Scam
A person will walk to you and ask you to take their picture with a smartphone or a camera. When you try to return the device, they will drop it and act like it is your fault before asking for compensation.
Wallet on the Floor Scam
When walking on the street, you might see a wallet on the floor, but just ignore it. It is an empty wallet placed by scammers who will expect you to check your own wallet and reveal its location so they can pickpocket you.
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]]>The post Most Common Shops and Services Scams You Should Be Aware of When Traveling appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Slow Counting Scam
You should always double-check your change when buying something abroad. Sometimes, cashiers and shop workers will try to short-change you with the slow counting tactic. While counting your change, they will take their sweet time, hoping you will lose patience and just take the money. If you do this, it will often be a lot less than you should get.
Shop Recommendation Scam
This one is usually performed by taxi drivers or illegal tour guides. They will tell you that they have a friend who owns a shop and that they can secure you an amazing deal for jewelry, clothes, handbags, and all sorts of other products. If you accept their offer, you will often pay a higher price than you would at a regular shop, and there is a good chance you end up with fake goods.
Ticket Scam
This scam is usually performed around popular museums and tourist attractions that require tickets. You might be approached by a person who is presenting himself as an employee and get offered a pricier ticket that will allow you to skip the queue. Or it might be a cheaper ticket that someone already “bought” but won’t use it because of some other plans. These tickets are usually invalid, and you will end up having to buy the standard ticket.
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]]>The post Most Common Tourist Scams in the Philippines and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>One of the things that can ruin your time in the Philippines the quickest is falling for tourist scams. In order to prevent this from happening, check out some of the most common ones and find out how to avoid them.
Broken Taxi Meter
Taxi scams are present everywhere, and the Philippines are no different. Here, you’ll most commonly encounter a “broken” taxi meter scam. The taxi drivers will say their meter is broken and will try to offer you a fixed price that is often double or triple what the ride actually costs. Don’t accept the ride for a fixed price and find a taxi that has a working meter.
Fake Tour Providers
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is the approach you should take when looking to book a tour in the Philippines. Make sure to always do a background check of the tour operator before booking a tour and making a payment. There have been plenty of cases where the tour providers simply took the money from tourists and then disappeared without a trace.
Money Changing Scam
Don’t ever change your money on the street, not only in the Philippines but anywhere else. You might be approached by strangers in bigger cities, especially Manila, who are offering you attractive exchange rates. But they will use all sorts of tricks to try and scam you, including stealing notes while counting or giving you less money and then claiming they gave you the appropriate amount.
Pricey Kalesa Rides
Kalesas are vividly-decorated horse-drawn carriages that can be seen on any corner in the Philippines. The kalesa drivers offer tourists rides across the city but be cautious about accepting one. In some cases, they will rush you into the carriage and then immediately start the ride without even telling you the price. At the end of the ride, they will insist on some outrageous price. They also might tell you a lower price at the beginning of the ride and later say that’s just a starting fee.
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