To experience something unfamiliar and leave with new occurrence is the main mission of travel. An extensive traveler explores different places , learn about different people & culture and thus opens his/her mind. So travel is an art altogether.
But here are some of the most frequent scams you’re likely to come across.So the more people aware about these scams, the less likely you’ll fall for this bitter experience.Shady people love to take advantage of tourists, and if you’re not careful,then you will easily become a victim. More or less it happens even to the best of us.
Here are some of the most common travel scams you should know and what to do to overcome if the situation aises.
*The cab driver charging any amount:
Usually cab drivers near airports or railway stations pull this scam, but it can happen anywhere. If you’re not careful when you get into a taxi, the driver may exploit you by saying the meter is broken and you have to pay a ridiculous price to the tune of 100s of dollars or in rupees.
So before getting into one, negotiate rates first and ensure the meter is intact.
Overbooked Or Closed Hotel
This general travel scam occurs largely with cab drivers. While on the way to your hotel, the driver will misguide you telling your hotel is either closed or overbooked and then with no ways left with your consent take you to a more costly hotel where the driver receives a handsome commission.
How To stay away from It:
Better to talk to your your hotel in advance and ensure they’re open for you. Ask if they have pick up service or not and then schedule a pickup. If your taxi driver still tells the nonsense,then even you don’t have any confirmation,tell him to take you there anyway as you have a reservation.
* Fake police officer scam :
It happens in many large cities. Pretending an investigation, most often, a person with uniform may ask tourists to hand over their passport and wallet. However, they are not real police officers.
Never surrender your wallet or passport to any stranger. Request them to show you their identification Or you can tell them your passport is locked up in the hotel safe, and they’ll need to accompany you to your hotel. If they refuse, then simply walk away.
* Misleading information about your tourist attraction :
In major tourist areas, sometimes any local may mislead you about the place you want to visit and guide you to another one where you’re pressured to purchase something or pay a lot for entry.
Before believing the local’s word, find out the truth by yourself or you can confirm the fact by asking someone else nearby.
*Avoid accepting help from anyone while using your ATM card :
Someone approaching at an ATM cash machine to help you avoid local bank fees, may have the intention of draining out your account later by scanning your ATM card with the card skimmer in his pocket and trace your pin number while you are entering it.
Do not allow anyone around you while you’re making an ATM transaction.
* Refrain from using any unsecure WiFi hub :
Free unlocked WiFi connections might be dangerous. Hackers will set up tempting unsecured wiFi hotspots in public locations to trap and give the unlawful access to your computer, passwords, online accounts, and more.
Enquire about the official WiFi connection always or use a VPN, or virtual private network.
*Keep away from flirtatious local women:
Being in a new country, finding beautiful local women seem to pay more attention to you, can be alarming instead of being exciting. You may end up with paying an overpriced bill or to worse, be drugged and robbed.
In an unknowing place avoid such women who are unusually forward or hitting on you aggressively.
No matter how cautious you think you are, the fact is that, everyone falls for some sort of travel scam eventually. One should take all these as lessons and move forward to explore new worlds.
