Top Tips to Help You Steer Clear of Travel Scams

There are so many great reasons to travel, like learning about new cultures and languages; seeing amazing sites; meeting new people; taking a break from everyday life; and more. However, while there are plenty of benefits to getting away, there are also lots of travel scams around these days that you need to know how to avoid.

You probably spend plenty of time deciding how to choose the best travel rewards credit card or flights for your needs, but do you keep up to date on common scams that might turn your holiday into hell? If you’re keen to learn some ways to protect yourself and your finances from being hacked or hijacked while you’re away, read on for some top strategies you can try out on your next vacation.

Authenticate Before You Book and Pay

There are lots of online sites where you can find and book accommodation for your trips away. While many of these are fantastic, and entirely above board, you still need to be aware that scams may exist. Before you book and pay for any accommodation, it pays to verify the authenticity of the provider, whether it’s a hotel, personal apartment, B & B, hostel or other. Even though reviews may be listed about the venue, these can be generated fraudulently, so it’s always a good idea to do your own research.

If there is a phone number on the listing, give it a call and chat to the owner or manager to verify the rates of pay, location, and any other questions you may have. This will help to ensure that the listing is not a fraudulent one. If no number is listed, then at the very least email the accommodation provider and ask for a number. Again, ask questions, and remember that you are well within your rights to ask for further identification before you proceed.

If you don’t get a response, or don’t get a good feeling from any interactions with people you deal with, it’s safer not to go ahead with the booking. Some scammers upload fake listings to legitimate websites, or even create their own fake sites from scratch, in order to get credit card numbers and contact information. To avoid travel scams, you need to be very cautious about who you divulge your personal information to.

Pay Securely

If you feel confident that an accommodation listing is authentic and want to go ahead with your booking, then ask for written confirmation of the price before you provide payment information. You should get, in writing, not just the quote for the number of nights you wish to stay, but also all the details of your booking, such as the room type, location of the accommodation, what’s included, what’s extra, and any other pertinent details.

As well, when you do pay, never agree to deposit money into a foreign bank account or to give out your financial details via an email or other unsecured online option. Wire transfers and online escrow services should always be avoided because these types of payments cannot be traced.

If you pay online using your credit card, make sure you’re typing in your details on a secure processing payment gateway. Keep a copy of your receipts and payment reference numbers too, so that you can refer back to them if necessary.

Be Wary of “Helpful” Strangers

It is also a good idea to keep your wits about you when taking cabs or being approached by people you don’t know when you arrive at airports, train stations, and the like.

You may find, for example, that cab drivers tell you that the attraction or hotel you want to be taken to is closed at the moment, but that they can offer you a better solution. This is often a scam, where the driver is being paid a commission to take you to another venue, in order for that place to get your business, or to drop you someplace where a thief is lying in wait to steal from you. If you find that any person tries to exert pressure on you to change your destination or plans, be firm and don’t give in.

Keep an Eye Out For Inconsistencies

Another way to avoid travel scams when you’re researching providers is to be on the lookout for inconsistencies in information. Whether you’re looking at listings of accommodation options, transport companies, tour operators or more, ensure that the details in the listings match up consistently both across the web, and in person when you arrive.

In addition, when you’re away and go to pay a hotel, restaurant, retail store, or other bill, it’s best to go through the listed items carefully to ensure that no extras have been added. Tourists generally stick out at destinations, and some unscrupulous venues will try to sneak in additional costs if they think you’re relaxed and not likely to look over an invoice. You should always check that the charges match the advertised or agreed-on price, and that items haven’t been listed numerous times.