Aside from being sensible, and not entering into any suspect deals, the best thing tourists can do is to ensure they have a travel insurance policy that will cover loss of personal belongings and baggage, theft and repatriation in case they need to fly back to the UK.
Holiday Clubs
One of the most common scams travellers may be subject to in other countries is holiday club fraud, which numerous Brits have fallen for. They are offered membership at an ‘exclusive’ holiday club which typically includes ‘free’ trips abroad, discounted hotel bookings and top-class accommodation all over the world. Tourists are often asked to attend a presentation, and plied with free alcohol, before being asked to sign a contract. However, what the bogus holiday club says in its sales pitch and the content of the contract could be two very different things, and people who fall prey to such scams tend not to reap the benefits they were promised. According to the BBC, the Office of Fair Trading found that around £3,000 was lost per person.
To avoid falling victim to such a scam, it is important that tourists do not let anyone pressure them into immediately signing a contract. Any legitimate clubs would allow potential members a good length of time to consider the offer and look into details.
Passports
Passport scams are another significant danger to watch out for while abroad, with hundreds of thousands of Brits abroad ‘losing’ their passport each year. Stealing a passport could allow con artists to apply for credit cards, driving licences and even a new passport under the name of the traveller. Tourists should avoid handing over their passport to someone else unless they are absolutely sure of their claim. It is also a good idea to keep two photocopies of the passport close. If the passport does go missing, the nearest British Embassy should be contacted immediately.
Taxis
Taxi scams are another common problem, which can be easily avoided. Aware that the traveller has limited knowledge of the area, and may not have a good grasp of the language, unlicensed cab drivers may take a longer route, pick up a ‘friend’ on the way or spin a story about how they need money for an ‘emergency’. Taking a taxi from a legitimate stand will largely avoid this, but it is also important that travellers know the emergency numbers of the country they are in.
Money Exchange
Tourists should also get their money changed before jetting off abroad in order to avoid falling victim to any currency exchange scams. Unofficial exchange booths can lead to tourists getting ripped off, as employees could take advantage of the fact they are unfamiliar with the currency. If a traveller absolutely must exchange money abroad, they should do so at a recognised bank or use an ATM, and make sure they are aware of the exchange rate.