Travel scams are a reality, and they vary depending on where you are. If you’re carrying a guidebook, you’ll usually find a list of the most common scams for each country. But to help you stay safe, here’s a rundown of some travel scams to watch out for and how to avoid them.
1. Taxi Overcharge
A classic scam. The driver might say the meter is broken and try to charge you an outrageous rate, or you might notice the meter running much faster than it should.
How to avoid it: Before you hop in a cab, ask your hotel or hostel what a ride should cost so you have a frame of reference. If the driver tries to negotiate a higher price, offer the standard fare. If they refuse, find another cab. If the meter starts running too quickly, get out. And always make sure to take note of the cab’s ID number.
2. “Come in for Tea and Help Me Write a Letter”
This one happened to me in Morocco. Someone strikes up a conversation and, after finding out you’re from NYC (or some other place), claims they have a cousin who lives there and needs help writing a postcard. The goal is to get you into a shop where they’ll pressure you into buying something.
How to avoid it: Don’t follow strangers to another location, especially if they tell you a personal story that’s too convenient. Trust your gut.
3. Free Bracelets, Rosemary, or Anything They Can Put on You
This scam is common in Europe. Someone approaches, puts a bracelet on your wrist, or a sprig of rosemary on you, then demands money when you try to take it off.
How to avoid it: Never let anyone put anything on you. If they do, remove it and hand it back firmly. Just walk away.
Another variation is the “fake monk” scam, where someone posing as a monk puts a bracelet on you and asks for a donation. Real monks don’t sell trinkets, so just ignore them.
4. The Spill on Your Clothes
This happens when someone spills something on you—usually in a busy area—and apologizes while trying to clean it up. During the chaos, they pick your pocket.
How to avoid it: Stay alert, especially in areas with fewer people. If someone spills something on you, don’t let them get too close. Clean up yourself and be aware of your belongings.
In places like India, you might also encounter the “poo shoe” scam, where someone squirts animal waste on your shoe and then offers to clean it for a fee, or uses the distraction to steal from you.
5. Motorbike Scam
This one happens often in Southeast Asia. You rent a motorbike, enjoy the day, and when you return it, the owner claims there’s new damage and demands money for repairs. Sometimes, they’ll even hold your passport hostage until you pay.
How to avoid it: Take photos of the bike’s condition before you rent it. Make sure the owner knows you’re documenting it. Park in safe, less visible places and use your own lock. If possible, get travel insurance that covers bike rentals.
6. The Flirtatious Local
You meet an attractive local at a bar, they buy you drinks, and then you end up with a hefty bill you’re expected to pay. In some cases, you might even get drugged and robbed.
How to avoid it: Be cautious of overly friendly locals who seem too eager to take you to “the best spots” or buy you drinks. If the situation feels too good to be true, it probably is.
7. Your Attraction Is Closed for Lunch
A local approaches and tells you the attraction you want to visit is closed for lunch, and offers to take you somewhere else—often a store or a different (expensive) attraction.
How to avoid it: Always double-check opening hours online or at the main entrance of the attraction. Most places don’t close for lunch, only for the day, so don’t take anyone’s word for it.
8. The “Found” Ring
Someone “finds” a ring on the ground and shows it to you, claiming it’s gold. They offer it to you for a cheap price, saying it’s a great deal. The ring is usually fake.
How to avoid it: If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Just walk away and don’t buy anything from strangers on the street.
9. The Fake Petition
A person, often a kid or someone pretending to be disabled, approaches you with a petition to sign. Afterward, they demand a donation. You might even get pickpocketed in the process.
How to avoid it: Ignore anyone asking you to sign petitions, especially if they surround you or are in touristy areas. Just keep walking.
10. The Drug Deal Gone Bad
In party hotspots, someone might offer you drugs. If you accept, they’ll bring in a real cop who demands a bribe to avoid arrest.
How to avoid it: Don’t buy drugs while traveling. It’s risky, illegal, and can land you in serious trouble.
11. The Wrong Change
In countries with bills that look similar, you might receive the wrong change, especially when you’re in a hurry or distracted.
How to avoid it: Always count your change carefully before leaving. Double-check the bills to avoid being shortchanged.
12. Fake Currency Scam
In tourist-heavy areas, a person might offer you a great exchange rate and claim they don’t charge commission. But when you count the money later, you’ll find fake bills mixed in with the real ones.
How to avoid it: Stick to reputable currency exchange shops. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
While you may get scammed at least once during your travels, you can avoid most scams by staying alert and using common sense. If someone offers you something that sounds too good to be true, trust your instincts. Would you accept this deal at home? If not, it’s probably a scam.
