Travellers still share the zest and zeal of Marco Polo and his ilk. Or the Hungarian monk that travelled to Tibet to give the language of the Tibetans its first European dictionary. These days when everything is commercial and seemingly seamless, a bit of readiness and determination help shield our enjoyment. Mosquitoes, flies, pests, and scammers all get short shrift. The wrong end of the stick. So, stick around to soak in the Top travel scams to avoid in 2021. 

Travel scams are quite real. Scammers see you as a walking cash wad. You are their centre of attraction. They will sense you as soon as you enter their zone of influence. The alien, the outsider, is naive by definition. He has no knowledge of local practices or prices. There would be barracudas. Some would like to guilt-trip you into parting with some of your lovely loot. 

Taxi overcharge 

Among the most everyday travel scams out there involves the taxi driver telling you his meter is kaput, and there’s an attempt to overcharge you, or the meter will race along faster than is the norm.

Offer to pay the correct price. Prior to ordering the ride, your hotel staff can apprise of the going rates in town. If the meter is schizo, get out. Cabbies can be reported to most Tourist Boards. 

Closed ‘accommodation’ 

This is a cabbie related scam. He will tell you your hotel is overbooked or closed. He would like to take you to another hotel, for the simple reason they pay him a commission. But you have to be firm and insistent.
Cabbies also try to pull a fast one by taking you on a long ride via the longer route. But, again, your smartphone will be his guide. In places without the internet, go with maps downloaded beforehand. The GPS will show your location even without a net connection. 

The shell game 

You have come to explore the place and mingle with the locals. On the street, some blokes are playing a card game. Or it could be any game involving betting and guessing. You decide to play. The first go - you win! You are exhilarated. You keep playing. Then there’s a losing spree…

The house always wins. There are better ways to get a handle on local colour than sitting down to petty gambling for cheap thrills. 

Invited to tea 

This is a common enough scam. Someone hears you are from - let’s say, London. They sidle up to you, and there’s conversation. The native says his cousin is in London, then he says you should help him write a postcard. You agree to come along. 

His place is just a shop. First, he treats you to tea. Soon enough, he starts asking you to buy something from his shop.
 

He will be foisting his goods on you, unless you are firm and walk out of his trap. 

Don’t be gullible when people tell you their cousin lives right next door to your hometown home. 

The free rosemary 

Remember another traveller, Jonathan Harker? He, too, was in an exotic place. The Englishman was offered by the Transylvanian landlady her own crucifix. The reasons were those of benevolence, and the gift was truly free.
 

Modern-day exotic places might not be this kind. Rather, someone might try to place a rosemary sprig on your person or a bracelet on your wrist. In places where people put a premium on the privacy of the person, allowing total strangers to touch you is akin to an invitation. For they will, soon enough, start badgering you into paying them. Pay up, or they will create a scene.
 

Rather than cave in, you must, of course, refuse. 

Rent-a -bike 

In places like Southeast Asia, motorbike rentals are considered a great convenience. But you might be scammed, too, if the owner of the vehicle is scammy and mischievous.
 

You’re back from your ride.  The owner sniffs around the vehicle, then descends into complaining about how you have knocked up his bike the wrong way. He is set upon getting compensation -pronto!
 

Take pics of the bike before you use it. Show these to the owner. Use your own lock. Keep the bike out of sight. While it is parked, it ought not to be easy to access. The scammer might just send someone to rough up the vehicle, only so that you may later be made to pay for damages. 

Conclusion 

These are some of the Top travel scams to avoid in 2022. There are more in a similar vein. What you have to remember is that it pays to be a little cynical while travelling abroad. Not everyone is looking out for your interest. You must know what’s best for you. Use whatever you have on you to best outcomes, like the use of GPS when natives are trying to misguide you. Also, be extra cautious when you visit places usually popular with tourists. Go prepared, and you can still enjoy your vacation to the hilt.

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