At popular resorts, tourists often become victims of scammers whose goal is to extract as much money as possible. Journalists report on the most common deception schemes.
This is reported by Finway
Fake Travel Agencies and Counterfeit Payment Terminals
During the peak tourist season, one-day firms may appear on the market offering suspiciously cheap tours. Their essence is to take as much prepayment from “clients” as possible and then disappear. Before using a company’s services, it’s advisable to check reviews, search for the company’s name in a search engine, and verify its reputation. One should be particularly wary of offers that require payment “only today.”
Another common scheme involves the use of counterfeit payment terminals in tourist centers. Tourists are asked to enter their PIN code while paying for goods, resulting in scammers obtaining card details. Therefore, experts recommend using cash and avoiding card payments in small shops.
Scammer Taxi Drivers and Currency Exchange
At popular resorts such as Egypt and Turkey, some taxi drivers operate solely as a cover for scams. It’s advisable not to pay the driver until reaching the destination. Caution is necessary if a taxi driver offers to exchange small bills for larger ones, as this could result in receiving counterfeit money.
Additionally, during currency exchange, tourists often fall victim to fraud. Even in European countries, exorbitant commissions may be charged for exchanges. It is recommended to always ask how much you will receive in exchange to avoid unpleasant surprises.
“Tourists are most often deceived during currency exchange”
No less dangerous are scammers providing fake medical services, taking advantage of tourists’ desire to improve their health. They may have accomplices among hotel and restaurant staff who direct “clients” to “doctors.” Such scams are prevalent worldwide, and every year at resorts, there are “healers” attempting to deceive vacationers.