What are travel scams and why you must care
Travel scams are tricks used to take your money, belongings, or personal information while you are on a trip. Travel scams can happen anywhere: airports, train stations, markets, tourist spots, and even online before you leave home.
Knowing how travel scams work is one of the best ways to stay safe. When you understand the warning signs, you can act early, walk away, and keep your trip enjoyable and stress-free.
Travel scams are not always dramatic. Sometimes they are small overcharges that slowly add up. Other times they can leave you without a hotel, without your passport, or with a drained bank account. This guide will show you the most common tricks and how to avoid them.
Common travel scams you need to know
Fake tour guides
You are walking near a famous sight when a friendly local offers to be your guide. They may say they know “secret spots” or give you a “special price.” Once you agree, several things can happen:
- They take you to shops and restaurants where prices are high and they earn a commission
- They rush you around and ask for more money than agreed
- They leave you in a strange area and disappear
To avoid this, only use guides from trusted sources such as your hotel, an official tourist office, or well-known platforms like GetYourGuide or similar services in your region.
Restaurant and café overcharging
You enjoy a nice meal, but the bill is much higher than expected. This can happen when:
- The menu has no clear prices
- A “special” is not priced and later costs far more
- The menu you saw outside is swapped for a higher-priced one at the table
- Extra items you did not order appear on the bill
Protect yourself by checking prices before you sit down, asking for the menu again at the table, and reviewing the bill line by line. Question anything that looks wrong.
Online phishing and fake booking sites
Scammers send emails or create fake websites that look like real airlines, hotels, or booking sites. They might say there is a problem with your booking and ask you to “log in” or pay again. Their goal is to steal your password or card details.
Warning signs include:
- Strange or slightly wrong website addresses
- Urgent messages demanding instant action
- Poor spelling or grammar
- Requests to pay by bank transfer or gift cards
Type the website address yourself into the browser instead of clicking links in emails. If in doubt, contact the company using the official number on their real website.
Pickpocketing in crowded places
Pickpockets often work in teams in busy areas such as buses, trains, markets, and tourist spots. Common tricks include:
- Someone bumping into you while another reaches into your bag
- A person asking you to sign a petition or answer questions while their partner steals from you
- Someone “helping” you with a bag or ticket machine while grabbing your wallet
Keep valuables in a money belt or hidden pouch. Use bags that close fully and wear them in front of you. Do not keep phones or wallets in back pockets.
Currency exchange rip-offs
Some street kiosks and unofficial exchange booths offer very poor rates, charge hidden fees, or even give fake notes. Airport exchange counters can also be expensive.
Using a trusted digital service such as Wise (formerly TransferWise) or your bank’s partner card can often give you better rates and clearer fees. Plan ahead so you are not forced to use the first counter you see.
Taxi scams
Taxi scams are common in many cities. Drivers may:
- Refuse to turn on the meter and charge a “special” price
- Take a long route to make the fare higher
- Claim your hotel is closed and drive you to another one that pays them a commission
- Add extra “luggage” or “night” fees that are not real
Use official taxi ranks, ask your hotel for recommended companies, or use trusted ride apps where the price is shown before you travel. Confirm the fare and that the meter is on before you start moving.
Fake accommodation listings
You see a beautiful apartment online at a very low price. The “owner” asks you to pay by bank transfer or cryptocurrency outside the platform. After you pay, the listing vanishes and you have no place to stay.
Always book through reputable platforms that protect guests, and avoid sending money outside the system. Be careful of listings with no reviews, unclear photos, or hosts who pressure you to pay fast.
Stranded traveller and sob story scams
Someone tells you a sad story: lost wallet, missed flight, stolen bag, hungry child. They ask for cash to help them get home or buy food. While some people are truly in need, many of these stories are rehearsed scams.
If you want to help, offer non-cash support: suggest they contact their embassy, police, or a local help center. You can also offer to call official services for them. If they push hard for cash, walk away.
Fake ticket scams
You buy “discount” tickets for a museum, concert, or bus from a person near the venue or an untrusted online seller. At the gate, staff tell you the ticket is fake or already used.
Buy tickets only from official websites, the venue box office, or trusted agencies. Be wary of last-minute street sellers and “too good to be true” prices.
How to protect yourself from travel scams
Research before you go
Spend some time looking up common travel scams in your destination. Government travel sites such as U.S. State Department Travel Advisories and other official sources often list local risks. Knowing what to expect makes you harder to trick.
Trust your instincts
If something feels off, rushed, or confusing, pause. Scammers frequently use pressure and urgency so you do not have time to think. It is always okay to say “no, thank you” and walk away.
Keep valuables secure and separate
Carry only what you need for the day. Keep backup cards and some cash in a second, hidden place. Store photos of your passport, tickets, and insurance details in a secure cloud account.
Use official channels
Book tours, tickets, and hotels through official sites, your hotel desk, tourist offices, or well-reviewed platforms. Avoid “friend of a friend” deals, cash-only offers, and unverified sellers.
Smart money and currency exchange tips
Plan your budget and payment methods
Use a mix of:
- One main card
- One backup card kept separately
- A small amount of local cash
Tell your bank you are travelling so they do not block your card. Turn on payment alerts so you see each charge in real time.
Use ATMs wisely
Withdraw cash from ATMs attached to real banks, not random machines in shops or bars. Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN. If an ATM looks damaged or odd, do not use it.
Avoid dynamic currency conversion
Some card machines abroad ask if you want to pay in your home currency instead of the local one. This often comes with a bad exchange rate. Choose to pay in the local currency whenever possible.
What to do if you get scammed while travelling
Stay calm and act fast
If you realise you have been scammed, do not panic. Focus on what you can do next:
- Call your bank or card provider and block your card if needed
- Change passwords for any accounts that may be at risk
- Report the incident to local police and get a written report
Contact your embassy or consulate
If your passport is stolen, or you feel unsafe, contact your country’s embassy or consulate. They can guide you on next steps, such as getting emergency travel documents.
Use your travel insurance
If you have travel insurance, check if it covers theft, fraud, or trip problems caused by scams. Keep receipts, police reports, and any proof of the scam to support your claim.
Watch Our Video On The Most Common Travel Scams and How to Beat Them
