5 Sneaky Airport Scams Everyone Needs To Know About in 2024

These are the top 5 airport scams targeting international travelers when they land at their destination. Don't fall for sneaky airport tricks that could ruin your vacation before you even leave the airport! Learn the red flags, how these tourist scams work, how to safely use your phone abroad, and how to avoid getting scammed the next time you fly.

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Welcome to Portable Professional, where I, Megan, use my experience from over 300 flights to offer you simple, practical and game-changing travel tips and hacks. Our mission is to help you reduce stress and make the most of every trip.

🐶 Chapters
00:00 Airport Scams Abroad
00:20 Taxi scams
00:34 Ride share scam
01:14 Airport shuttle scam
02:11 Mexico (Cancun) warning
02:54 New ATM scam
04:03 Internet & data scam
05:11 Sim card hack
06:33 Phishing scam
07:50 I always travel with this
08:29 Luggage scams

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[drevildog]

Add this taxi scam on the list. On arrival, you make the mistake by getting out of the Taxi before the driver does. And ones you are out. The Taxi takes off with your suitcase still in the trunk. Leaving you behind. Experienced in Mexico City.

[GadgetNeil]

Something I do before every trip: I do a little internet searching for tips for the airport I will be landing at. Often there are youtube videos showing you exactly how to navigate the airport, and showing all the transportation options. Each airport is different, and some have different scams to watch for, so youtube or general internet searching prepares you.

[Victoria]

Leaving the airport in Mexico City, and not knowing that one should arrange for a taxi while IN the airport, our bags were taken and put in the trunk before we realized that it was “pirate” cab. Make a long story short, we were driven through a very seedy neighborhood and asked for a US$50 tip, and I want it right now! We obviously gave it to the driver and then he took us to our hotel. We were very lucky. Scary experience.

[taxatty]

Great advice regarding manually logging out of contactless card ATMs--that's a scam I hadn't heard of.

[boomertuber]

WATCHING MEGANS VIDEO 1-Video begins 2-Ollie comes on screen 3-Oh cute puppy! 4-Good boy Ollie 5-Ollie wants a snuggle 6-What travel video? LOL THX for bringing Ollie back!!!

[gregoryhageage]

From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport I take the RoissyBus. Multiple and well marked pickup spots at the airport, drops you off around the corner from Opera Garnier and costs @16€. And you have a better view as you move thru the Paris traffic which is the same if you’re in a taxi or bus! I then walk to where I’m staying (the Right Bank) which is great after an overnight flight. Same deal going back to CDG. You carry your luggage on board so it’s right there in sight. Of course it helps that I travel light. On the rare occasion that I need a taxi, the G7 service is the way to go: safe, secure, no muss, no fuss. Always look forward to your vids on Sunday. 🙏🏽👏🏼🙏🏽👏🏼

[KismetKat]

Agree about staying in the taxi until your driver gets out, and make sure he / she get your luggage out too. I had a taxi driver in Poland deny I had any luggage in his trunk. It became obvious to him I wasn’t getting out of the taxi until he checked his trunk. I also had my credit card stolen on Warsaw. I was exhausted, the guy said he spoke no English and his machine for charging was having problems. It went on and on. Then I was charged but he couldn’t provide a receipt. What he was doing was distracting me from the fact that he did not give me my credit card back. You might say it was an oversight, but he never brought the card back and he knew where I was staying. I realized immediately when I went to check into my hotel and got it cancelled. I luckily had another card for the rest of my trip. Now I take a photo of the license plate and the driver info. I’m vigilant about getting my card back. Where I could. I use Uber or Lyft, etc., rather than a credit card.

[brendaw.]

You are so great with the tips you provide to travelers and the things we should be aware of and watch out for. Thank you so much for all you do to help others. We sincerely appreciate it. Thank you !

[thompsonterry]

Years ago a friend landed at JFK coming into the US from Japan. His first time to America and he got hit with the taxi fare scam. Over 400 USD to get a cab from JFK to midtown Manhattan! He paid the driver 200 (still well above the real 50-60 dollar fare) and after an argument my friend just said “karma” to the driver and as soon as the driver pulled the cab from the curb, the taxi was rear ended.

[magietagie]

Is it me or do scammers seem to be getting harder to spot! Thanks for all the great info!

[lynnkurumaji]

If going to Japan either use rail service into the city or a limo bus(both safe and secure) For money exchange, going to the many 7-11 stores is very easy and safe.

[joetrainor]

Your little "trouble maker" is too cute.

[peggywoods]

I just use public transportation. I buy my sim before I leave (my phone is not compatible with esims). I've been using orange zen with no problem. I get my foreign currency from my bank before I go. I keep an eye on the exchange rates and buy when they dip. I'm a solo older female budget traveler who still stays in hostels 😊

[SeeSaw]

I'm ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that I'm going to have a very enjoyable "first" international trip next week now that i have found this channel 😁

[Agapimo]

🙄😖ANXIETY with all the scams, appreciate the insight and tips✅

[verenab]

Scam popular in Venice: "friendly" people want to show you to the parking lot outside of Venice or to boats. But they are not the normal parking lots or boats. They are more expensive. Be careful when someone offers to guide you somewhere.

[lazygardens]

If you use ride share or a shuttle service ... make sure your luggage doesn't get removed at the first stop. Get out and WATCH them remove the luggage for the first stop. At times the first stop is a sham just for the purpose of taking your luggage out.

[ptseti]

Umm, question- how can these scammers exist at the airport and no one from the airport does anything about it? Don't they know about these scams and if so what are they doing about it? Why does it seem like these people are allowed to operate despite open knowledge?

[yumisoaresgjrum]

😮 The shock I had when discovering that, the bag claim area at Indianapolis International Airport was outside for anyone to grab, can not be put into words.

Even in Norway where there is little theft, unless we are talking about bikes, the bag carousel is only accessible by the travlers.

[ffcwatercolors]

In Paris, there will be scammers standing beneath the "Taxi" banner in arrivals. They are NOT official drivers. Ignore them, and go outside to the official taxi queue. Also, in Paris, Uber cannot use the bus lanes, but official taxis can. So, it may actually take longer to reach your destination in a Uber, and increase the cost of the ride. I use a G7 app in Paris, but I don't store my credit card in their app. They have my name and phone number, so it always works, and I pay the driver when I reach the address. Yes, pay inside the cab before getting out.