Travel Tips Abroad

You have planned your vacation to Europe, you have packed your clothes, toiletries, your camera and electronics, you have your credit cards, identification, passport and tickets, you are ready to go right? Wrong. Here you will find an array of local tourist scams, what to watch out for and how to avoid being a victim. Let’s also mention these scams are pulled in every country in the world, Europe is just an example.

Any environment with a cashier, teller or waitstaff is a potential set up for the slow count. This scam is as old as the day is long. The cashier, for example, will count back change with strange pauses, in hopes the tourist will be in a hurry and grab the change, and off they go. To later find that they have received the incorrect amount. Be especially cautious with large bills, and with foreign currency, if you are not familiar with it. The Italian 500-lire coin, which is worthless, looks a lot like the 2 coin, know your money.

Be overly cautious about the helpful local. You get shoved around in a crowd and someone spills something on you, as they apologize repeatedly and steal your wallet. Someone drops something, you are nice and pick it up, your wallet could be gone. I know this sounds callous but, assume that everything out of the ordinary is a ruse, the old woman who falls down the stairs, check your belongings before offering assistance. Many variations of these plays exist. Never accept help with using the ATM, just assume they want your PIN. If the ATM eats your card, check for a clear plastic tab or insert, or something sticky wedged in the card slot, this could very well be a scam to get your card.

The bar scam, you are approached by an attractive person on the street, and they offer to take you to a club or buy you a drink. After receiving the bill and find it is a few hundred dollars more than anticipated. Only then will you discover that the door is barricaded by giant bouncers. Be cautious of people you just met (and this even applies at home) if you are interested in going out with them, go to a place of your choosing.

Use caution with street vendors, you may come across the vendor who desperately wants to use you for a demonstration. He takes your arm and creates a bracelet directly on your wrist. One of two things will happen at this point, he will either want payment for the masterpiece now unable to be removed, just short of cutting off, or, you will be a victim of a pickpocket during the fiasco. Be cautious of any commotion, especially tourist areas, as they may be setups. These scams can be fairly elaborate as well, for example; hear a woman arguing with a vendor, she is being accused of theft, as she removes her clothing to prove her innocence, a group is rapidly removing all the wallets in the unsuspecting crowd.

Be aware of room inspectors, who will show up to your hotel room and state that they need to inspect the room. While you are distracted, the second rifles through your things, taking valuables. Avoid this by not allowing anyone into your room, and if in doubt call the front desk.

Keep these tips in mind, not that you will ever come across any of these in your travels, just be aware that they are out there. Being cautious will save you a lot of grief and money.