A common complaint for many travelers is that taxi drivers will either not want to use the meter, will take you the long way, or charge you an outrageous amount of money. This is mainly done at airports and tourist areas.

How to Avoid:

• Find out the typical prices of the taxi fare prior to the trip.
• Only use licensed taxis or utilities such as Uber or Lyft.
• Always make sure to tell the driver you want to pay for the ride by the meter or come to an understanding of the fare at the beginning.

This scam occurs when a caller poses as front desk staff claiming your credit card has been problematic and requests your details over the phone.

Don’t:

• Provide credit card details by phone.
• Go to the front desk to sort any claimed problems.
• Report suspicious calls to hotel management.

With one thief creating a distraction—such as spilling something on you or causing a commotion—another thief will steal your belongings right out of your hands.

How to Avoid:

• Carry your valuables in a money belt or an anti-theft backpack.
• You should remain alert of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
• It’s not a good idea to carry wallets or phones in your easily accessible pockets.

Impersonators, claiming to be police, may come to you, tell you that you have documents issues, and then demand to see your passport or wallet and then steal from you.

How to Avoid:

• Do not give your belongings to anyone without some form of an ID.
• If in doubt, demand to go to the police station.
• Do not give your belongings to anyone other than a verified authority.

Near popular attractions, scammers will tell you a site is closed and offer an alternative tour, which can end up being overpriced or even fake.

How to Avoid:

• Always check official websites for opening hours before heading out.
• Don't be tempted by unsolicited guide offers.
• Use only official tour agencies.

Stolen-clown game: A stranger comes up to you and offers you a ‘free’ bracelet, flower, or whatever and when you refuse, gets nasty and demands money.

How to Avoid:

• Do not accept gifts from strangers.
• Turn down the offer and leave.
• Do not touch anyone to avoid getting something put in your pocket for you.

Scammers install devices on ATMs to steal your card details when you withdraw money.

How to Avoid:

• Use ATMs inside banks rather than in isolated areas.

• Check for unusual attachments on the card slot.

• Shield your PIN while entering it.

Some people have hired scooters, bicycles or cars only to be accused of damage they didn’t cause, and being billed accordingly. How to Avoid:

• Only rent from reputable companies.
• It is also advisable to take photos and videos of the vehicle before using it.
• Make sure you read the rental agreement carefully before inking the deal.

Hackers steal personal data from connected devices through the use of free public Wi-Fi networks.

How to Avoid:

• Only use public Wi-Fi for tasks that don’t require access to sensitive information.
• Avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi.
• Using a VPN is recommended when accessing the internet.
• Stick to known and reputable networks.

Related Topics: Learn How VPN works

Con artists market concert tickets, museum tickets, or transportation tickets through fraudulent means. The only tickets you should buy come right from the source. No matter the vendor, always verify details before making a purchase.

Another warning: Stay away from people at the markets who claim to have low-cost tickets. Scammers are always implementing fresh strategies to deceive travelers but knowing more can help you lower your risk as a victim. Your instincts should always serve as your guide because they usually reveal what’s real and what isn’t.