Common Tourist Scams to Avoid While Traveling

Last Updated on 3/10/2023

No matter where you go in the world, if you’re a tourist, there will be people who live their lives to try and separate you from your money. Many travelers say that they would never fall for a tourist scam. Even so, the people running these scams are slick and can swindle even the smartest person.

Cab drivers can smell a tourist from a mile away. Especially one who has been driving for any decent amount of time. This travel scam is most commonly found near airports, train stations, and other forms of public transportation, but that doesn’t mean you’re safe elsewhere. Anywhere there’s a taxi, there’s a risk.

The way this scam functions is you hail a taxi, get in, and tell the taxi driver where you’re heading. As the car pulls away, the driver tells you that the meter is broken. However, he says he’ll make sure to cut you a deal. Once you get to your destination, you’re charged several times what the mileage should have cost. Sometimes well over $100 for a $10 trip.

The way this scam operates is that a person approaches you as though they are welcoming you into their country. This is very similar to going to Hawaii where hula girls welcome you with a lei. The scammer would ask you to hold out your arm for a sign of friendship, and when you do, they will quickly create a bracelet right on your wrist.

Once the bracelet is made, the vendor will ask if you like it and the majority of travelers say yes, especially since they think it is free. This is when the crafter will demand a set amount of money. The trick is that scammers made the bracelet hard to remove, making the traveler feel guilty if they don’t pay.

The best way to avoid this scam is to never allow anyone to place any items on your person. If you encounter a person like this, make it clear that you won’t be paying any money. More often than not, the scammers will leave you alone and turn their attention to another mark.

This is another scam that can happen anywhere but is especially common in London and Paris. In this scam, the con artist will have a table set up with a guessing game. These games vary from remembering which of the three cups a ball is hidden under to keeping track of which card is the king of diamonds.

Almost always, the conman will have several of his accomplices acting as though they are tourists themselves. These accomplices will do a lot of yelling and celebrating as though they are winning game after game. Meanwhile, the conman, acting as though he is frustrated, looks on.

Curious, you may walk up to the table to see what’s happening. When you see that other people are winning money, you may naturally want to get in on the action. However, while you’re concentrating on the game at hand, the fake tourists pickpocket you. They get away with your wallet, credit cards, and cash before you even know what hit you.

In a world full of scam artists, you would think that you could trust those who are there to protect you. Police officers and security guards are not expected to steal or cause harm. Unfortunately, in places such as Mexico and India, you’ll come across people who are dressed like officials, just waiting for their next unsuspecting tourist.

These fake officials will pull you aside on the street or on public transportation and ask to see your passport or other official documents. Once they have them, they will look you in the eye and tell you that to get them back, you’ll have to pay a bribe. If you don’t pay, they will simply walk off with your documents. Most travelers pay up since it’s next to impossible to go back home without proper paperwork.

This scam is tricky because it’s hard to know if the person you’re speaking with is an actual official or fake police. If you have any doubts whatsoever, request that they take you to the police station where you would be happy to show them any paperwork they’d like to see. Make sure you purchase a travel insurance policy prior to leaving for your vacation –if your passport (or any other personal items!) is lost or stolen so you can get home safe and sound.

Unfortunately, there are always people looking to take things from you. No matter how prepared you feel, it can be easy to fall for a scam if you don’t know what to look for. This should never deter you from seeing the world, just make sure to be extra careful when you travel.