Take out travel insurance for any holiday
Scammers managed to take £6.7 million from holidaymakers booking trips online in 2017, according to Action Fraud . Many travellers have lost money by booking through fake travel companies, advertising seemingly genuine flights, only to send through counterfeit tickets – or none whatsoever.
How to avoid:
Kiosks or stores that offer commission-free currency exchanges are common across the globe. These deals can seem too good to be true – and they usually are. You risk paying sky-high exchange rates and – if you’re not using an official bureau de change – receiving counterfeit money.
How to avoid:
Popular landmarks, museums and theme parks come with massive queues. Tourist scams look to target those waiting in-line with ‘jump the queue’ ticket offers. Be wary of these, as the tickets are frequently counterfeit and slightly more expensive . Fall for this trick and it can cost you a pretty penny – and your place in the queue.
How to avoid:
While hotel booking scams are common, staff fraud is less so – but still something to be aware of. These hoaxes can range from someone phoning your hotel room impersonating the reception staff and asking you to confirm credit card details, to thieves posing as hotel workers for a standard room inspection, looking to steal personal items.
How to avoid:
Be wary of 'jump the queue' ticket offers
Booking with independent hotel rental property companies can give you an authentic experience of the place you’re visiting. But certain private owners look to take advantage of holidaymakers by taking payment for a reservation, then cancelling before they arrive.
How to avoid:
Taxis are an easy way to get around an unfamiliar place. However, some drivers will try and scam passengers by negotiating a set price for where you’re heading to, rather than using the cab meter. Charges can skyrocket and leave you paying through the nose for a journey that would typically cost less.
How to avoid:
Pickpocketing is a risk anywhere there’s crowds – which makes tourist hotspots a major target. Underground stations, big attractions and other busy destinations are a magnet for thieves. Sometimes there are teams who work together to identify a target and attempt to steal your valuables if you’re not vigilant.
How to avoid:
On any international scammer list, crooked street games are always near the top. While many are for genuine entertainment, some are designed to scam tourists. Classic examples include the ‘Shell Game’, where the player bets a sum to find a ball hidden under 1 of 3 cups. These are always skewed so the dealer wins – cheating you out of your money.
How to avoid:
Keep your valuables in a zipped up bag or pocket