How to avoid tourist scams when you’re abroad
As sun-seekers begin jetting off on their summer holidays, a scam has taken off in Tenerife - a favourite destination of British tourists. One victim - 84-year-old Bridget Manning - was in a souvenir shop when a shop assistant convinced her to buy a ‘top of the range’ tablet computer for just £150. It was only when she returned home to Warwickshire she realised her bank accounts had been emptied of £2,128.
Bridget joins us down the line to share her story, alongside scams expert Jenny Radcliffe to give her advice on the wide range of scams you can encounter while on holiday.
Taxi scams
Six out of every ten British tourists have fallen victim to a taxi scam while on holiday [Hoppa Survey]. The most prevalent scam was drivers taking longer routes in an effort to charge passengers more. Taxi drivers may also try to invent bogus extra charges to scam holidaymakers out of extra money for minute trips e.g. for getting sand in the car without proof. Some drivers may also not carry small notes or coins, so they can keep the change from trips.
Jenny's advice: “Before you land, ring the airport and find out about who are the licensed taxi companies and what the average taxi fares are in the area. Go on social media groups, read articles and see if anyone has been scammed by certain companies. Then, before you get in any taxi, let them see you taking a picture of their registration details, ask them about any extra charges, have the route up on GPS and this will usually scare off scammers. Do not go with a taxi driver shouting at you in the arrival area and do not get in if you do not feel safe.'
Excursion scams
Many tourists end up overpaying for tours such as boat trips that often underdeliver, or don't even exist.
Jenny's advice: "Always go through an official travel company that you have researched and seen the reviews off. Never go with someone who just approaches you off the street. You would never do that at home, so why would you do it abroad?!”
Passport scams
Hotels are often required to keep records of guests' personal details, and travellers are often asked to leave their passports at the front desk throughout their stay, leaving them at risk of identity theft.
Jenny's advice: "Never leave your passport with somebody else, ever! That is your most important document, it is your security, you should never be separated from it. Sometimes hotels might need to see it, but check the country's policy beforehand. Take a photo of your passport before you go and carry a photocopy version with you in case it is stolen or lost."
Wifi scams
People often jump at the chance to connect to a free network when abroad, but it can put you at great risk of theft.
Jenny's advice: "Never connect to a free wifi abroad. Anyone can mimic a wifi network and then see any transaction, any detail on your phone in plain text. If you have to connect in an emergency, try and make sure it's official by asking the hotel or shop and avoid making any kind of bank transaction."
How can people ensure that they're covered in the case they do get scammed?
The first thing you should do it inform your bank and cancel the card.
Jenny's advice: "Firstly, do some preparation before you go abroad. Contact your bank and let them know what country you're going to and then prime yourself that you're not going to be making any large transactions. If you are scammed, report it to your bank immediately and cancel any future transactions. Report it to the local police and follow up as much as you can when you're home. How much resolution you're going to get is going to be very dependent on where you are and how serious it was.”