Don't take risks while traveling: 11 fraudulent schemes waiting for tourists

Fraud is becoming increasingly common in the travel industry. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recorded losses of $10 billion, a billion dollars more than the previous year.

A recent McAfee report confirms that a third of tourists fall victim to fraud, and one in three of them lost more than $1,000. How to protect yourself while traveling and what are the risky situations, explained in the Forbes article.

11 ways to get scammed while traveling

Be suspicious of unexpected requests: receiving a confirmation or email means that your payment information has been accepted and your reservation is complete. Remember that emails that arrive after a reservation complaining about payment problems should be treated with a high degree of suspicion. It is recommended to contact the hotel or service provider directly by phone.

Beware of airline special offers: Criminals often manipulate travelers looking for bargains on airline tickets by selling tickets purchased using stolen credit information. They offer these tickets at low prices through phishing sites that may look legitimate. When the traveler arrives at the airport, he or she may find that the reservation has been canceled, or worse, the payment has been canceled by the credit card company and there is no way to get a refund. You should buy tickets from an airline, online travel agency, or distributor with a good reputation and many positive reviews.

Be vigilant when using an accommodation booking platform such as Airbnb: scammers are willing to go to great lengths to convince you that their source is reliable. A recent report by Malwarebytes found hundreds of fake ads on Airbnb. So, it's worth checking the links that are offered to you in emails. Sometimes they can direct you to fraudulent sites and have confusing transitions.

Beware of suspicious advertisements: not all advertising offers are legitimate. Travel scams may include ads for cheap accommodation, tours, and airline tickets on fake websites designed to steal personal information. It is recommended that you only use trusted booking sites and web resources supported by hotels and travel companies.

Avoid using public charging stations and Wi-Fi networks: It is not recommended to conduct confidential transactions via public Wi-Fi networks due to the risk of data interception by hackers. It is recommended that you use your phone's hotspot or a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection. In addition, avoid using public USB charging stations as they may allow cybercriminals to access your device.

Avoid posting real-time data. Be careful when posting information about your location online, as this can leave you vulnerable to theft or harassment. Posting photos of yourself at the airport or at check-in points online can alert criminals to your absence from home and make your property a potential target for burglars. In addition, disclosing your location can create security issues.

Beware of posting your daily route. Daily posts about your location can attract thieves. It's better to share your vacation experiences after you safely return home, thus ensuring your safety and privacy.

Be careful in restaurants: some restaurants in tourist areas can be a source of fraud. In Italy and Greece, for example, there are cases of restaurants charging high mandatory tips, offering overpriced appetizers without your order, and overcharging for simple products such as orange juice. Some menus list prices by weight rather than per serving, which can lead to an unexpectedly high bill.

Avoid being scammed when using taxis: be vigilant around the world when encountering taxi scammers who may steal your luggage, make extra detours to increase the cost of the trip, or simply charge extra fees if you are new to the city. Recommendation: When arriving at the airport, use only taxis, Uber or other public transportation from the official area with appropriate signs.

Carefully study the rental conditions: when renting a car, carefully read the details that are written in small print. One tourist signed a rental agreement where they added a daily payment to cover electronic tolls. The client thought that the fee would be charged only for the days during which the toll was charged. However, he ended up paying much more than he had planned.

Be careful with "free" offers: When traveling, be on the lookout for free gifts. For example, musicians who offer to give you their CDs and then ask for donations, or strangers who offer friendship bracelets or amulets and then ask for payment. Avoid accepting gifts from strangers, especially on busy streets or near major attractions, no matter how friendly they seem. You should also refuse offers from locals if they offer to show you an interesting bar or shop off the beaten path.

Read the article from TravelWise on how to travel with a child and enjoy the trip.