As travellers, it is easy to think that we are smart enough to avoid getting ripped off, but the truth is, it happens to the best of us.
From being ridiculously overcharged for cab rides to unknowingly revealing credit card information, travel scams exist the world over, according to First National Bank (FNB).
Anthony Grant, CEO of FNB Foreign Exchange said,
While it is nearly impossible to know when you will be scammed, it is important to know what kinds of scams exist, and what to do should the situation arise.”
Falling victim to a scam while travelling overseas can potentially ruin your travel experience and is likely to cost you money even if you have travel insurance; for example, if your luggage is stolen along with your passport, bank cards and cash.
“When you travel overseas as a tourist, you are seen as an easy target by potential scammers, so before travelling, take some time to do some research on common travel scams around the world and familiarise yourself with scams in the country you are visiting to be aware of the typical tactics used by scammers,” said Grant.
Here are some of the most common international travel scams:
• Bogus travel agents
The convenience of booking an entire travel itinerary online can be appealing, but prospective travellers are warned about rogue travel agents that look like legitimate entities.
To avoid being scammed and losing thousands of rand, learn how to identify bogus travel agents. The first thing that should raise your suspicions is a travel package that seems too good to be true.
Never pay for anything unless you are really certain you are dealing with a reputable firm. Fake agents create sites that look real and ask customers to fill in their details, including credit card details. Once you have given them your credit card details they can simply deduct money in exchange for a non-existent overseas trip. Upon enquiring, you will discover that the website was set up to cheat unsuspecting travellers.
• Currency short-change
Familiarise yourself with the currency of the country you are visiting to ensure that when you make cash purchases you get the right change.
Some unscrupulous vendors take advantage of foreign travellers by claiming they have underpaid the vendor. This is a ploy to confuse the travellers and get more money out of them simply because they are not familiar with the local currency. Make sure you understand the currency so that you are able to count the change that’s handed to you.
• Counterfeit entertainment tickets
When travelling for leisure, entertainment is top of mind, but be warned!
Never buy tickets to an event such as a music show or soccer match from a stranger on the street. While the deal may seem too good to ignore, it’s probably a scam. The aim is to dupe you into believing you are getting a bargain when in fact you are being scammed. If there’s an event you would like to attend, purchase your tickets from a reputable outlet.
• Fake guides
Do not accept help from random strangers who introduce themselves as tourist guides as they could be part of a criminal syndicate.
Their modus operandi is to lure travelers into spending money on expensive items or excursions for which they get a commission. No matter how friendly they appear to be, always be cautious before accepting help from anyone offering to take you around sight-seeing. To safeguard against scams, always use a guide allocated to you by the travel agency.
• Card fraud
If someone calls you from the hotel you have booked into to verify your bank card details over the phone, decline politely and go to the front desk to check if the call was legitimate.
Through information peddling, scammers can get hold of your information and you may receive a call at an odd hour from someone claiming to be from the hotel booking desk calling to verify your payment details. This is usually a scam, and once you have given your card details you will notice transactions coming off your account that are not related to your trip.
Do some research about the country you will be visiting and look at reputable payment providers such as PayPal as an additional payment option before you travel.
“The first thing to take note of is that scammers are not easy to spot, they appear as normal as ever. The biggest lesson to earn is to never let your guard down when travelling overseas. It’s important to always exercise caution before and during your trip, regardless of which destination you visit,” concluded Grant.
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