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Travel scams can be an unfortunate part of traveling, affecting both occasional tourists and seasoned adventurers. The popularity of online booking and the variety of deals and offers available has given scammers a whole new way to defraud vacationers. It’s important to stay vigilant by keeping up to date on the latest scams and, if using a travel agent, always going through reputable agents and services.
Travel scams can pose a huge financial risk, with 2022 seeing a reported $600,000 lost by American tourists who fell victim to scams1. The damage of travel scams may go further than finances, though. Victims could be deceived into purchasing fake documents or handing over passports, leaving them short on funds and stranded in an unfamiliar country.
Read on to learn more about potential risks and possible ways to stay safe when traveling overseas.
Before traveling, it’s a good idea for tourists to thoroughly research their destination, including local police or council websites that could alert them to current or common scams. Some scams, however, are seen in many popular tourist destinations. Here are a few common travel scams.
Tourists are advised to be vigilant about their mobile device security as it is a significant attack vector when traveling. It may be wise for them to protect their cell phones with the same veracity as their passports as the loss of either may lead to identity theft.
Cell phone theft is a serious issue, with thieves targeting tourists and snatching their unlocked phones from their hands. With access to unlocked phones, criminals can change key passwords effectively locking the owner out of their device. Thus empowered, they can leverage multi-factor authentication to gain access to social media accounts, bank accounts, and more. By the time tourists get to a computer or alternative device, they may have already been locked out of their accounts. Therefore, it is recommended that tourists be extra careful when using their unlocked devices in public places. They are also strongly encouraged to avoid storing their password locally on a device. It is worth traveling with a backup cell phone in case of cell phone theft so that swift action can be taken.
As well as paying close attention to physical devices, tourists are advised to be mindful of mobile data security when traveling. It is recommended they refrain from using free or unsecured WiFi, especially for sensitive activities like shopping or banking, or logging into email or social accounts. A more secure option is to use a personal hotspot with WPA2 enabled and a string password selected.
ATM skimming is a common form of card fraud. Scammers insert a small device into the ATM that “skims” the victim’s information once they insert their card. Skimmers are meant to be discreet, but they are not always invisible.
To spot a compromised ATM, inspect the reader before inserting a card. If anything looks damaged, out of alignment, or strangely bulging, do not use the machine and instead find a safer option. ATMs inside bank branches will be more closely monitored and generally safer.
Ticket scams are where a scammer deceives someone into buying illegitimate tickets to events or attractions. They are often cheaper than buying tickets directly from the attraction and may appeal to frugal travelers. Fake tickets can be purchased in person or online, so it is important to research the best way to buy.
Fraudulent websites are set up, or tourists may be approached by someone offering a cheaper ticket outside popular attractions. To ensure ticket authenticity, travelers could contact their resort or hotel directly and ask them for the best way to buy, contact the attraction directly, or ask friends and family for reputable vendors.
In a fake police scam, the victim may be approached by someone posing as a police officer and instructed to complete a seemingly reasonable task, such as handing over their bag for a search or their wallet to look for counterfeit bills, or even following the scammer to a taxi.
In all these examples, the victim might submit to the authority of this police impersonation because they look legitimate. To avoid this, never follow strangers to a second location and never hand over personal belongings. Read up on the police uniform in the area and the process of reporting scams.
While not technically a scam, pickpocketing is a common risk in high-traffic areas. In close proximity to strangers, like in crowded areas and on public transport, it is important to stay vigilant.
To avoid street theft, make it harder for a thief to gain access to possessions by making sure all bags are fastened and ideally in full view. It is also recommended that vacationers only carry the cash they need to avoid rifling through large amounts of cash in public places and attracting potential thieves.
No matter where in the world a vacation takes place, traveling securely is crucial. Here are some practices to potentially avoid travel scams:
Make sure travel planning involves thorough research before making any solid commitments. Get recommendations from trusted sources for where to stay and how to book. Look out for any strange-looking websites offering deals far below market price. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Make sure to add local scams to travel research, too. A quick Google search will show up the most frequently reported scams at a destination. Hotel staff will also know who to trust and who to avoid.
Secure any belongings that could be of interest to a thief or are necessary to return home, like passports, travel documents, tickets, and wallets. Lock away unnecessary items in a hotel room safe, close bags and pockets, and never leave purses or wallets in plain sight.
Anti-theft measures may also prove useful, such as an anti-theft purse, luggage with lockable zippers, and travel accessories like Bluetooth trackers for bags.
Utilizing a digital wallet could potentially protect payment cards and financial information. If a thief were to steal a person’s phone, they may be less likely to obtain any information if the phone is protected by a passcode or passkey.
One way to prevent being a victim of a travel scam is to stay informed. Look for up-to-date information about scams by making sure website entries are recent.
The FTC provides consumer advice2 and a place for reporting scams.3
Fraud reporting provides essential statistics that help other travelers. Report scams through the FTC and remember to report them to the local authorities whenever possible. Reporting passport and visa scams to the Department of State could help to prevent further victims.
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