The use of public transit is practical and cost-effective, but it also draws con artists who prey on naïve passengers. The following are a few of the most typical travel frauds to be on the lookout for when taking public transportation:
- Overcharging: In this scam, a taxi or tuk-tuk driver overcharges for a brief trip by taking a longer route or manipulating the meter. Use only authorized, licensed taxis and always agree on the fare before getting in the car to prevent this.
- Pickpocketing: Thieves can easily steal wallets, phones, and other goods from unaware people on packed trains, buses, and subways. Keep your stuff near to you and be mindful of your surroundings.
- Tickets that are fraudulent or overpriced are sold by con artists in this scheme for popular tourist attractions or events. To avoid this, only buy tickets from approved sources and be suspicious of anyone advertising reduced or last-minute tickets.
- Scams involving currency exchange: Scams involving currency exchange frequently involve phoney or manipulated exchange machines or people claiming to convert money at a favorable rate. Avoid this by only exchanging money at reputed banks or exchange offices and by keeping track of the exchange rate at all times.
- Phony tour guides: In some tourist locations, tourists will be approached by fake tour guides who offer to show them around for a price. They can take you to establishments where they get paid a commission for bringing in clients, or they might take you somewhere remote and demand additional money. Use only reputed tour operators to prevent this, and be aware of anyone promoting excursions at a price that is noticeably lower.
You may protect yourself and have a stress-free trip by being aware of these typical travel scams.
