Last Updated on April 29, 2025 by mulamagnet1

I was, standing in the middle of Bangkok’s Khao San Road, soaked to the bone from an unexpected monsoon downpour, with nothing but a waterlogged passport and the sudden, sinking realization that my wallet was gone. The sweet old lady who’d insisted on sheltering me under her umbrella had vanished along with my cash, cards, and—perhaps most devastatingly—my dignity.

Look, we’ve all been there. Well, maybe not exactly there, but if you’ve spent time roaming this beautiful, chaotic planet of ours, you’ve likely encountered at least one creative attempt to separate you from your money. After two decades wandering through more than 40 countries, I’ve collected an impressive anthology of “you won’t believe what happened” stories—many involving me falling for scams that, in retrospect, seem laughably obvious.

But here’s the silver lining to my occasionally empty pockets: these experiences have turned me into something of an unwitting expert on travel scams. And today, my friends, I’m sharing that hard-won wisdom with you. Because while getting scammed might make for a good story later, it’s definitely not the souvenir you’re hoping to bring home.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the eight most common travel scams I’ve encountered across the globe, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to avoid becoming their next victim:

1. The “Too Good To Be True” Vacation Rentals
2. The “Helpful” Taxi Driver
3. The “Free Bracelet” That Costs You Everything
4. The Digital Deception: Fake Booking Sites
5. The Currency Conversion Con
6. The Distraction Technique
7. The Phone Scams: Calls and Texts From “Your Bank”
8. The “Closed” Attraction Redirect

Before booking your next adventure, learn how to identify common travel scams that could derail your journey faster than you can say “but the TripAdvisor reviews looked so good!”

1. The “Too Good To Be True” Vacation Rentals

The Scam: Picture this: you’re scrolling through rental listings when you stumble upon a palatial beachfront villa in Bali for the price of a highway motel in Nebraska. The photos look like they’re straight out of Architectural Digest, and the owner is just so accommodating—especially when it comes to accepting your payment via wire transfer.

I hate to admit it, but just last year I got scammed.  A lakeside house for five days at Lake Tahoe.  This guy named  Frank Kinsella sounded legit, had a legit looking rental agreement, and answered all my questions. I researched his name on the internet and found nothing.  But, it was a hoax and I was out $1397.  I paid using Venmo. Venmo was sympathetic, but I didn’t get my money back….ouch!!

How to Beat It:

• Always book through reputable platforms with buyer protection
• Be suspicious of listings with only professional-looking photos (reverse image search them!)
• Never wire money or pay via cryptocurrency or gift cards
• Only pay with a credit card or PayPay where you can file a claim and get reimbursed.  Do not use Venmo.
• If the price seems wildly below market rate, your scam-radar should be blaring

Real talk: knowing how to identify vacation rental scams saved me countless times since that Greek tragedy. Now I always request a video call with the host to see the actual property before sending any money. Is it awkward? Sometimes. Does it prevent me from sleeping on a park bench? Absolutely.

One traveler I met in Portugal had created a comprehensive checklist on how to identify vacation rental scams after losing $3,000 on a fake Airbnb listing. Her advice? Always check property tax records when booking expensive rentals—a step that’s saved me from at least two potential scams.

2. The “Helpful” Taxi Driver

The Scam: You’ve just landed after a 14-hour flight. Your brain is foggy, your body feels like it’s been through a washing machine’s spin cycle, and suddenly, a friendly local is offering to help with your bags and get you to your hotel.

Fast forward thirty minutes, and you’re being told your hotel is “closed for renovations” (it’s not), but luckily, the driver knows a much better place. Or perhaps the meter is “broken,” and what should have been a $10 ride somehow costs $75.

In Delhi, I once had a particularly creative driver who took me on what I now refer to as the “Scenic Tour of Every Backstreet in India” before arriving at my destination—a journey that should have taken 20 minutes but somehow stretched into a two-hour odyssey of wrong turns and “shortcuts.”

How to Beat It:

• Research standard taxi rates before arriving
• Use ride-sharing apps where available
• Agree on a price before getting in if meters aren’t standard
• Have your accommodation’s address written down in the local language
• Look confident even when you’re completely lost (my personal specialty)

Whenever I’m in a new city now, I make a game of noting landmarks as we drive. “Oh look, we’ve passed that same temple three times now! Are we caught in some sort of spiritual time loop, or are you just padding the fare?” A smile and a knowing glance work wonders.

3. The “Free Bracelet” That Costs You Everything

The Scam: You’re admiring the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, or any other iconic landmark when suddenly someone approaches with a “gift”—a friendship bracelet, a sprig of “lucky” rosemary, or some other trinket. Before you can say “no thanks,” they’ve tied it to your wrist or placed it in your hand.

And then comes the aggressive demand for payment. Meanwhile, their accomplice is often helping themselves to the contents of your pockets or bag.

I fell for this one in Montmartre, Paris. A guy approached me with what he claimed was a “traditional Parisian greeting” and started weaving a bracelet directly onto my wrist. By the time I realized what was happening, the bracelet was secured, his friends had surrounded me, and my camera was mysteriously lighter in my bag.

How to Beat It:

• Keep your hands in your pockets around major tourist sites
• Practice saying “NO” firmly in the local language
• Walk purposefully, even when you’re just wandering
• Keep valuables in front pockets or hidden money belts

I’ve since perfected the art of the polite-but-unmistakable head shake while continuing to walk. It’s served me well from Rome to Marrakech to Manila.

4. The Digital Deception: Fake Booking Sites

The Scam: In our increasingly online world, scammers have moved beyond the streets and into your inbox and search results. You’re planning your dream vacation when you find an incredible deal on what appears to be a legitimate booking site—but is actually a sophisticated clone.

Fake travel booking sites warning: These impostors might have URLs that are slightly misspelled versions of legitimate companies (think “Expedi1a.com” instead of “Expedia.com”) or they may appear as paid ads at the top of search results.

I nearly transferred $3,000 to a fraudulent site for a “luxury Amazon riverboat cruise” last year. What saved me? I just had a feeling about the booking page’s slightly strange font, which prompted me to double-check their URL. I was one letter away from disaster.

How to Beat It:

• Always carefully check the URL before entering payment information
• Look for https:// and a lock icon in your browser to verify it is a secure website
• Be wary of deals that are dramatically cheaper than elsewhere
• Book directly through official hotel/airline websites when possible
• Use credit cards with fraud protection (not debit cards)

Now I keep a dedicated folder of bookmarked legitimate travel sites and always navigate directly to them rather than clicking through from emails or search results. One extra minute of verification can save weeks of financial headaches.

The fake travel booking sites warning signs I’ve learned to spot include poor grammar, pressure tactics (“Only 1 room left!”), and contact information that only includes web forms rather than physical addresses or phone numbers. When I share these tips with fellow travelers, they’re often shocked at how sophisticated these fake sites have become.

5. The Currency Conversion Con

The Scam: You’re at a market in Istanbul, checking out a beautiful handwoven rug. The merchant quotes you a price in euros, dollars, or pounds, “as a convenience.” Or you’re paying by card and the terminal asks if you want to pay in your home currency instead of the local one.

What seems like a helpful gesture is actually a sneaky way to apply terrible exchange rates and hidden fees.

In Buenos Aires, I once paid for a tango show in dollars because the vendor insisted the peso was “too unstable.” It wasn’t until later that I calculated I’d paid nearly 30% more than the local rate. That’s an expensive dance lesson!

How to Beat It:

• Always pay in the local currency in cash or using a Wise debit card.
• If using a card abroad, decline the Dynamic Currency Conversion option
• Know the approximate exchange rate before you travel
• Carry a calculator or use your phone to check conversions on the spot

I now respond to currency switch suggestions with an enthusiastic, “No gracias, I love math puzzles!” This usually gets a laugh and a quick switch back to local currency pricing.

6. The Distraction Technique

The Scam: Someone spills something on you, points out bird poop on your shoulder (often a mixture of mustard and toothpaste), or creates some other diversion. While you’re distracted and possibly being “helped” to clean up, an accomplice is picking your pocket or bag.

In Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, a teenage girl once asked me for directions while unfolding a large map. As I tried to help, pointing at various streets, her hands were busy creating a paper shield behind which her partner was working on my backpack zipper. Fortunately, another tourist spotted the attempt and called out a warning.

How to Beat It:

• Be suspicious of any sudden, unusual physical contact from strangers
• Keep valuables in front pockets or inside pockets with zippers
• In crowded areas, wear your backpack on your front
• If someone points out something on your clothes, step away before looking down

I’ve developed a rather peculiar habit of dramatically stepping back and announcing “Personal space, please!” whenever anyone gets too close in tourist areas. My friends find it hilarious, but I’ve kept my wallet intact.

7. The Phone Scams: Calls and Texts From “Your Bank”

The Scam: You’re enjoying gelato in Rome when your phone buzzes. It’s a text alerting you to “suspicious activity” on your credit card, with a link to “verify your information.” Or perhaps it’s a call from your “credit card company” needing to confirm recent transactions.

Travel scam text messages examples often include urgent requests to “verify your information” or warnings about “account suspension” while abroad. Meanwhile, avoid travel robocall scams that claim to be from your financial institutions, hotels, or airlines.

During a trek through Nepal, I received a very official-looking text claiming to be from my bank regarding “suspicious international charges.” Exhausted and worried, I nearly clicked the link before remembering my bank’s actual policy—they never send links via text.

How to Beat It:

• Never call the number provided in suspicious texts or emails
• Don’t click on links in unexpected messages—instead, log into your accounts directly
• Remember that legitimate banks never ask for full passwords or PINs
• Before traveling, save your bank’s official fraud department number
• Set up travel notifications with your financial institutions before departing

I now make it a practice to completely ignore any financial communications while traveling unless I’ve initiated them. Any genuine fraud concern can wait until I can call my bank directly using the number on the back of my card.

Common travel scam text messages examples I’ve collected over the years include: “Your account has been locked due to suspicious activity abroad,” “Confirm your recent purchase of $1,299 in [country you’re visiting],” and “Your payment method has expired, click here to update.” Learning to recognize these travel scam text messages examples has saved me countless headaches.

To avoid travel robocall scams, I’ve started using a call-screening app that blocks unknown international numbers. This simple step has dramatically reduced the avoid travel robocall scams situations that used to plague my international trips, especially in Southeast Asia and parts of Eastern Europe.

8. The “Closed” Attraction Redirect

The Scam: You’re approaching a famous temple, museum, or monument when a friendly local informs you it’s closed for a religious ceremony, renovation, or some other plausible reason. But don’t worry! They know a special entrance, a better attraction nearby, or their cousin’s amazing shop where you can wait until it reopens.

In Bangkok, I was told the Grand Palace was closed for a “royal ceremony” and was guided to a “special government tourist shop” selling “discounted gems” instead. Spoiler alert: the palace was very much open, and those gems were about as authentic as my claim to Thai royalty.

How to Beat It:

• Check official opening hours online before visiting major attractions
• Politely decline redirections and verify “closures” yourself
• Be wary of anyone offering alternative destinations, especially shops
• Remember that legitimate staff rarely approach tourists on the street

These days, I respond to such claims with, “That’s so interesting! I’ll just check at the main entrance anyway.” It’s amazing how many “closed” sites suddenly become accessible.

Here’s a quick reference guide summarizing all the scams we’ve discussed:

 

#	Scam Type	Key Features/Examples	Prevention Tips
1	The “Too Good To Be True” Vacation Rentals	Unrealistically low prices, professionally staged photos, requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency	Book through reputable platforms with buyer protection, reverse image search photos, video call with hosts before booking.  Pay with a credit card or platform that has buyer protection.  Do not use Venmo.
2	The “Helpful” Taxi Driver	Claims hotel is closed/overbooked, broken meters, unnecessarily long routes	Research standard rates beforehand, use ride-sharing apps, agree on prices before entering, have addresses written in local language
3	The “Free Bracelet” That Costs You Everything	Unsolicited “gifts” at tourist sites followed by aggressive demands for payment	Keep hands in pockets at tourist sites, firmly say “NO” in local language, walk purposefully
4	The Digital Deception: Fake Booking Sites	Slightly misspelled URLs, too-good-to-be-true deals, suspicious payment methods	Verify URLs carefully, look for https:// and lock icons, book directly through official sites when possible
5	The Currency Conversion Con	Merchants offering to charge in your home currency, dynamic currency conversion at payment terminals	Always pay in local currency, know approximate exchange rates, carry a calculator.  Or, pay in the local currency using a Wise debit card which pretty much guaranties you are going to get the best rate.
6	The Distraction Technique	Spills/stains on clothing, asking for directions with large maps, bird poop (fake) on shoulder	Be wary of sudden physical contact, keep valuables in front/zippered pockets, step away before looking down
7	The Phone Scams	Urgent texts about account issues, calls claiming to be from your bank, phishing attempts	Never call numbers from suspicious texts, contact banks using official numbers only, set up travel notifications before departure
8	The “Closed” Attraction Redirect	Claims that sites are closed for ceremonies/renovations, offers to guide you to “special” alternatives	Check official hours online, verify closures yourself, decline redirections to shops

Here’s the truth, fellow wanderers: getting scammed doesn’t mean you’re stupid. Even after twenty years of globetrotting, I still occasionally find myself on the wrong end of an ingenious hustle. The scammers are professionals who have perfected their craft against thousands of tourists before you arrived.

The difference between an experienced traveler and a novice isn’t that one never gets targeted—it’s that the veteran recognizes the signs early enough to walk away with their wallet intact and a good story to tell.

Speaking of good stories, I’ve compiled many more travel insights in my “Adventure Travel on Any Budget” eBook, which includes detailed safety tips for over 30 countries. Download it free here when you sign up for my monthly travel dispatch.

Also, don’t forget to grab my free “Packing List/Budget” spreadsheet that’s helped thousands of travelers stay organized and secure. Get it here and never be caught unprepared again.

Remember, the best souvenir is a collection of amazing experiences—not a collection of “how I got scammed” anecdotes. Though admittedly, those do make for entertaining stories once enough time has passed. Like that time in Morocco when I… well, that’s a tale for another post.

Safe travels, friends!