Utilize these tips to avoid scams on your next vacation
Due to things like the legacy of colonialism, global inequality and patterns of exploitation, traveling as a tourist can put one in the position of being inordinately wealthy compared to local people, which can attract unwanted attention. Although it is important to support local economies by shopping, eating and hiring local people for their expertise, falling victim to a scam can leave one vulnerable when traveling. Check out these tips for avoiding scams and staying safe on your next trip abroad:
Taxi fare scams
One of the most common ways that tourists are scammed while traveling abroad is through some kind of taxi-based scam. In some cases, drivers use faulty meters. In others, they simply demand an exorbitant fare. Some countries might have a fleet of unofficial, black market cab drivers that offer below-market rates and are patronized regularly by locals, but could be dangerous for foreign riders. Here are a few steps travelers can take to avoid these types of fare-based disagreements:
- Always agree on a price pre-departure
- Ask hotel employees about reasonable fare prices before departing
- Download a map and make sure the cab driver isn’t taking a purposely circuitous route
- Get dropped off at a large hotel in walking distance of your true destination as bellhops and doormen are used to defending tourists from predatory drivers and can intercede on your behalf in the event of an unexpected rate hike
Research “tourist scam city”
Most of the common techniques used in a given area will be listed online or in travel guides. Whether due to demographics, geography, transit patterns or tourist habits, tactics are often localized by area based on its unique tendencies. In some cities, travel hubs like bus stations can be the biggest point of concern, compared to others where a person is more at-risk simply by being on the road late at night. Looking up these local trends and being prepared is often the best way to avoid them.
Research the cost of things
In some countries, prices can vary widely from what we expect in the United States based on factors such as the availability of commodities and trade relationships with other countries. That means that food prices might be lower, while energy prices are higher. Cell phone data might be cheaper while clothing is more expensive. Knowing how to do a 1:1 price conversion with the local currency is not sufficient for keeping your budget intact and helping you to avoid scams. Researching the price points for specific categories of goods and services as they relate to the prices you are used to is a far more useful endeavor.
Be wary of strangers
Oftentimes, visitors from Western countries exploring developing nations for the first time can be emotionally overwhelmed by the conditions of those around them. And, although travelers might feel an urge to help people they consider to be less-than-fortunate, this is often unsafe in practice. In some countries, it is common for people to fake disabilities and emergencies to lower the guard of a traveler, leaving them vulnerable to theft. Researching the social conditions of the country you intend to visit, donating to trusted organizations that support disadvantaged groups in the area and being aware of your own vulnerability to exploitation can help offset the potential for this particular form of harm.
Watch out for fake wifi
In many places, such as restaurant chains and transit terminals, free public wifi networks with official-seeming names abound. However, if there is no official portal into which you can enter credentials, a password offered by the establishment or publicly posted signage advertising free internet, beware. These publicly free wifi networks are often used by scammers to steal personal information from email addresses to banking data.