For the most part traveling is the best way to restore your faith in humanity. Whether it's a stranger offering to spend time taking you to your destination that has eluded you or a kind "thank you for visiting our country".
To go traveling is to see that the best of humanity has no geographical boundaries. However, as kindness has no boundaries at times the odd scammer can make their way on to your traveler trail.
Here are some of the top scams we either encountered on our world travels or had heard from others we met abroad. And keep in mind, they are not country specific, it is very likely that your own country has the same elaborate scam going on somewhere!
However, we have listed the hotspots to help you keep your wits about you.
1) The Taxi Meter is Broken:
This one is a staple and it involves the driver ever so convincingly telling you that the meter is broken and not to worry. Tell him you are only getting in if the meter is on and in many cases he will sheepishly turn it on. Only get in the taxi if it is on it will take seconds for another to come along.
HOTSPOT: BANGKOK
2) This is Your Stop:
This clever little doozy involves men who may get on the bus or train or already be on and tell you that this is your stop when it is not. It may sound like its easy to pinpoint but they are convincing and sound very helpful. This happened to me once but it was the bus driver who convinced me! The situation is that taxi drivers offer anyone commissions for providing customers and when you are nowhere near your destination, taxi to the rescue!
HOTSPOT: INDIA
3) Your Attraction or Hotel is Closed:
This one also involves commission. Taxi drivers or auto rickshaw drivers will tell you that an attraction is closed that day and offer to take you shopping to an "amazing market". Do your own research, this is a common scam. They will get a commission from sales at the markets which usually end up in high pressure sales from everyone including the driver. Do not get in the car or tuk tuk or threaten to get out if you smell this scam. This will also occur with hotels or hostels. They may get creative and tell you it burned down yesterday! Its simply not true.If you are firm they will usually agree to take you rather than lose the fare. Avoid arguing just walk away if they do not agree instantly.
HOTSPOTS: INDIA, NORTH AFRICA
4) The Rice is Extra:
This one is almost funny and many times I found the server laughing with me after getting caught. In some places its a bit of a game for locals and they mean no actual disrespect but it can take its toll on your budget after a while! After eating a fantastic meal (because the food is almost always amazing around the world!) the server will bring you a bill that has tacked on extra charges for rice or bread. And this is rice that is on your plate. The menu should indicate extra charges and if unsure watch others around you. In most places in the world rice is not extra, sometimes bread may be but consult the menu and when in doubt ask before you order.
HOTSPOTS: ISTANBUL,MOROCCO
5) Pay Here Please:
This involves individuals standing at the entrance way to an attraction such as a museum, ruins or a religious site. They will look official with a name tag and ask for the entrance fee and even give you a ticket. The reason this even works is for two reasons: some travellers don't research the attraction and whether there is an entrance fee and second that the booth or counter can be hidden or blocked by crowds.
If they are not in a booth don't give them money. Be firm and demand to go through, if they become aggressive just opt to not go and come back another time. 9 out of 10 times if you are firm and make a minor scene they will back off.
HOTSPOT: INDIA
6) Pay for Salvation and Upkeep:
Some people are fine with this but the reality is these people are not part of the religious site. Individuals will walk up briskly, and possibly put some
paint on your forehead(in India) and do a quick blessing and say "welcome to our ....."and ask for money to help keep it up. If you feel compassion to give then of course that is fine but it is just important to know it is not mandatory. Same logic as above, if they are not in a booth then it is not mandatory to pay them.
HOTSPOTS: SOUTH EAST ASIA, INDIA
Remember, you may go traveling and not encounter any of these and sometimes if you do, a local may intervene on your behalf, which happened a few times to us and a stranger becomes a friend. But it is good to be savvy when going abroad so that you are not a target of one of these silly scams.
Lastly I can guarantee you one thing, you will encounter many more strangers-to-friends than than strangers-to-foes on a daily basis while traveling than often even occurs in your regular life. That's why we travel, to remind us that the world is as honoured to meet us as we are them.
Happy Travels!!
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