Travel Scams to Avoid

Travel Scams to Avoid

Traveling to new destinations is amusing and adventurous as it may sound. But before the fun part comes the caution story. Certain precautions that should always be taken before you prepare to pack your baggage and dive into the unknown. Travel scams like financial scams are easy to fall into when you don’t know the insight to the terms and conditions offered by the company. Several fake travel agents are always prepared to rip the unprepared and disoriented travelers. Scams can take place before and while you travel. You can never be too prepared for the Armageddon coming to strike you but knowing about it can help you prevent the loss.

Scams that happen before you set out for your destination are:

1.  Unreasonable discounts on the tickets

Do not purchase an airline ticket from a dealer you have never heard off that is offering deals cheaper than any other authorized agency and won’t accept a credit card but demand a direct transfer of the fund. The end result of such a transaction is that you pocket an absolutely worthless ticket.

2. Travel in future but pay now

Enrolling for a club that allows you to take future vacations for a sizable fee can call for a rip trip. Whenever you book a vacation in such places chances are you never get a slot. In fact you might be asked to pour in more money to go to a better destination. In the process you shell out more money than you would have if you had taken the vacation on your own. In case if you wish to join such a group, get the complete picture about it authenticity from a person you know and who has traveled with them. 

3. Turning you into a travel agent

If you get an email asking you to become a travel agent for a fee of $495 or $4,900, avoid it. The offer may also provide you with a travel agent card that will allow you to get special rates and discounts – such mails are totally fraudulent. They simple cheat you in becoming an unauthorized agent by ripping you off with your hard earned money. Even the legitimate travel agents have trouble getting discounts from the airlines. Therefore, it’s wiser to delete such mails. 

4. Packages for no-ticket event

A tour operator offering you a great package sans pass for an event which requires tickets to enter is genuinely fraudulent. 

5. Fake protection

If a travel agent tells you that he will reimburse your money incase you cancel your trip then chances are you never see your money again because such policies are unlicensed. To avoid this, you should see a list of licensed travel insurance companies at the U.S. Travel Insurance Association site. See The Case for Travel Insurance to learn more about what travel insurance covers and compare policies.

6. Timeshare sell

Avoid any agent that guarantees to sell your timeshare for a fee, other than cheap listing fee because a timeshare can’t be unloaded.

Scams after reaching your destination:

After reaching your destination you should be well prepared and oriented about the same otherwise scammers can convert your disadvantage into their advantage.

1. Unknown faces offering fabulous deals at the airport

Travelers are tired and disoriented after long journeys and scammers use this fact in luring them in deals that is either a trap to rob or lead you to a substandard place for a fortune. Therefore, booking a place beforehand is always handy and opting for legitimate mode of transport a sensible option.

2. Fake cabs

Though comfortable, taxis can charge you overstated rates, take you by long routes and worse case a fake cab can even subject you to the risk of been kidnapped, assaulted or robbed in a unfamiliar territory. Better to opt for public transport or take a cycle or walk if your crash pad is near by. Incase you have to go for a taxi, go for a licensed cab, ask for rates before hand to prevent been charged more. Know your route and don’t allow the driver to pick any passengers on the route. In case you suspect a shoddy activity get out of the cab immediately.

3. Fake policeman

In case you are stopped by a policeman and he asks for details pertaining to your credit cards, debit cards and PIN information, then you should know that he has no such rights to enquire about it. If a policeman pulls you over and checks your car, jewellery and cash than chances are that he is a con man and will run away with your assets. Before you allow any such searches always ask to see the badge of the police officer and call in the police enquiry to know the authenticity of the person.

4. Distract and grab

When luck is against you, thieves can toss “babies” or spray mustard or scatter coins near your feet to distract you, grab your baggage and make a move. The best way to avoid such circumstances is to be vigilant and avoid raving crowds. Keep money in pouches below your clothes or fool the thief with a dummy wallet.

5. Drinks with strangers

If you are male and a pretty girl approaches you and asks to buy her a drink or a local gets extra friendly to practice his English with you over a cup of coffee, avoid or before ordering for such victuals always know the price of the item incase the whole thing was a setup to trick you in paying extra for the food and drinks and thus swindling you. Always go for restaurants that have food menus with prices mentioned on them.

6. Spiked drinks

Tourist can be made to drink spiked drinks and in the process may be robbed or assaulted. Keep a close watch on your drinks, place your own orders and drink with a trusted circle. You can also go for sealed drinks and check for its tampering and incase you are tricked into one and don’t feel well get medical assistance urgently.

7. Credit card information at the middle of the night by the hotel

In case the hotel enquires your credit cards detail never give then the particulars. Contact the management and find the error their and straighten it out with them. Never give your details in the night to any unknown person calling and clamming to be the hotel representative.

8. Picking lost wallets

You may be tempted to pick a lost wallet in the airport or at the train and bus terminal but be cautious, a person near by, may be just waiting for you to grab the wallet and will pounce on you and brand you a thief and in the process may take your money too. If the person sitting next to you finds a lost wallet and proffers you half the amount found, don’t ever befriend such a guy because chances are that the original owner might come and demand more money than it was in the purse.

9. The phone call in the middle of the night

Always inform your parents, wife or children about your location as and when possible to avoid people calling your dear ones and asking them to transfer fund for a sudden medical situation that just may have never happened to you. Being in touch with your family can help prevent such hoax. When traveling to different country register your trip with the embassy so that the embassy can contact you incase of any emergency.

10. Inspect your rental car before setting out in it

Before you start your itinerary on a rented car make sure it’s in a good condition because chances are you land up with flat tire or a burning carburetor in middle of no where and in this situation you are bound to seek help of an overfriendly passer who may in the end rob you!!
When you rent a car prepare for emergencies, understand local laws and call the police in case you need any help.

Understanding the local language a little bit and learning about the culture and law of the place traveling to can help a lot. Traveling is sure fun and rejuvenating activity but been prepared for the scams can only make your journey more safe and hence memorable. Remember you are on your own guard in a foreign land, therefore be vigilant always.   

By TravelMole Staff Writer for Travel Secrets  (January 10, 2011)