Avoid the Biggest Tourist Scams - Protect Yourself While Traveling

Discover essential tips and tricks to avoid tourist scams while traveling. Learn how to spot common scams, safeguard your belongings, and stay alert in unfamiliar places. From handling money safely to choosing reputable services, we cover everything you need to know to protect yourself and enjoy a worry-free trip. Stay informed and travel smart with these expert strategies!

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👇🏻Our DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT Travel Essentials:

00:00 Introduction
04:30 Transportation
06:17 Book with Reputable Source
08:48 Avoid Oversharing
10:52 Credit Cards
13:50 Stay Alert
16:28 Too Helpful
18:55 ATM
20:10 Nothing is free
22:03 Be Cautious

[shmoocrew]

*Tip* take a photo of the taxi number plate/registration/licence and make sure the driver sees you do it. If he asks why, just say you’re always forgetting stuff. Make a joke, so they are not offended.

[sonya]

Thanks for all the great tips. Shoe shiner got my husband before too. In 2005, 2 men in Paris tried to pull another scam on me while traveling with my children. At steps of Sacre Couer, they started weaving bracelets onto their wrists. I told them to stop, and they kept saying “it’s a gift” while quickly weaving the bracelets. I was angry because they were also touching my children’s wrists, and that made me very uncomfortable. I took my children by the hand and quickly walked up the steps. No I didn’t pay them.

Don’t be shy about a firm no, walk away and if they insist say I will call the police. Stand your ground and use body language to show your discontent if language is a barrier. They know they are scammers and don’t want trouble if you make a scene. The same thing happened to me in Istanbul and with a simple but firm no and a firm hand gesture of STOP, he went away. My advantage over yours is that I knew about this particular scam. Good advice when you say, research before you go!

[VisitorsWelcome]

Excellent advice! I’ve seen numerous scammers during trips to 50 countries. Beware of anyone who approaches you or asks personal questions. Sometimes they’ll start a friendly conversation but eventually end up asking for money.

[elizaC]

Also in outdoor areas, when eating or drinking don't put you bag on a chair, where it can be easily picked up. Instead but it on your lap, or between your feet on the floor. In really busy areas I put my leg through a strap.

[johnDoe]

Very important from my experience is to check the amount before paying digitally. In my home country I am used to just use Apple Pay and hold my phone on the scanner without even checking the price. That also applies to wireless card paying of course. Generally its probably better to more use cash especially in dodgy places.

[kathyw]

😂 Our favorite reply “we’re Canadian” Walked into a pub in Scotland, a group of kids stood up and started singing God Bless America. We told them we were Canadian (we’re not!) and they apologized! 😂

[chrissaw]

Thank you for sharing all the scams and how to avoid them. Those are very valuable tips since tourists always get scams from many different aspects of travel. I learned some new tips and some of your tips reinforce my experiences from some of the scams I encountered over the years. 😊

[urs_on_earth]

When asked where I’m from I usually mention some lesser known country that will not be in obvious whether it’s a “rich” country or not… and not obvious whether English is the primary language. Even when traveling w someone else sat in the back of a cab - I’ll text my travel partner with what I want to communicate to them as lots of the drivers listen and understand it even if they say they don’t speak English

[nomadjim]

Very good tips. It can be difficult to say no and not feel like you are being rude, but I like how you say that you were not the one soliciting the help and, therefore, shouldn't feel guilty about saying no. Totally agree about skipping those blue and yellow Euronet ATMs...what a ripoff they are!

[DelanaStrong-bksi]

I appreciate all the information you all give and you both have a respectful beautiful personality one of the reasons I choose to watch you both.

[robbiewillford]

Great info as always, really enjoying you sharing the do's and don'ts of travel. Recently traveled to Italy. One thing I saw was street vendors using toys to get kids to come over to buy. The toy was thrown to the ground and made a noise. But in reality, the street vendor was making the noise with their mouth. I don't have small children, but I can almost see the disappointment on a kids face after the buy it, and it doesn't work like they thought.

[stephanieh]

Another great video Brian and Carrie!
Also thanks for the awesome chapters!

[debbiebeemer]

Much appreciated information as always!!! Carrie, I would LOVE a video in detail on how you research, select and book accommodations. I know you don't use Abnb anymore. And I know you've kind of gone into detail a bit on other videos, but it would be nice to have a video focused on just this, a list of the steps you follow. I'd pay for that! I mean, I have a pretty good idea, but it's always nice to hear what someone else does, we can all learn something. I know amenities, safety, proximity to airport and medical, all play a part, but get into the nitty gritty of where you actually search for the info. Which sites do you use, how do you balance comments when there's both good and bad for a property, etc. etc. Details - I love details!!! Thanks for considering.

[John-fhyp]

Use smaller bills to pay the taxi driver. My friend gave an 100 RMB to a taxi driver in Beijing China. He took the bill and returned it, saying that was a counterfeit. My friend gave another bill and was scammed three times like this by the same driver. The bill was not counterfeit but the one he gave you back was!

[steven_dekok]

I love using my WISE card. Super easy and cheap to load and super cheap exchange rates - then I use it just like a credit card or debit card at a participating bank to withdraw cash. But if I need cash, I go to "Bank of Mama" 😂 My MIL takes our American cash and exchanges it for Lei at her bank for no exchange rate.

[Nadine-xvkr]

Excellent reminders. I would also add that in some countries, we are near people who are desperate for their next meal and our nice backpacks, jewelry, cameras, mean food for their families, and a good thing to remember is to do nothing that might tempt anyone.

[msbeecee]

Always enjoy ur tips & tricks. Very sound ✅️

[nannettegoff]

‘Too helpful’ got us at the tram station in Nice, France last year when they implemented the new reusable tram/bus tickets!

[DelanaStrong-bksi]

I'm cautious in the USA where I live and I would definitely be in any other country.