TOURIST RIP-OFFS YOU SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR

SLOW CHANGE

A common scam throughout Europe, the cashier will sometimes

count your change back to you very slowly hoping that you

lose patience and accept whatever she gives you. Of course

it’s usually less than what you should be receiving.

THE RUSHED TAXI DRIVER

A popular scam in Las Vegas, taxi drivers will sometimes seem in a

rush when dropping you off. They’ll help you get all your baggage

out and then take off in a hurry. What you didn’t realize is that

one of your smaller (and possibly more important) bags

is still in the car!

THE DISCARDED WALLET

Remember the helpful pickpocket? And how his friend checked

where your wallet is? Well this is the same concept except this

time the pickpockets will leave an empty wallet on the ground.

Your natural reaction will be to check where your own wallet is,

and of course, they’re watching you. This is a popular scam

in southern Europe, particularly Rome.

DROPPED AND SWAPPED

Oftentimes in Asia, vendors or taxi drivers will drop your change

and pick up some similar looking but comparatively worthless

coins. You’re a foreigner though and probably won’t be able to

tell the difference.

THE OVERNIGHT BUS

Be careful when taking cheap overnight bus transport in Southeast

Asia. While you’re sleeping in your seat someone may be

rummaging through your luggage below the deck.

AN UNFORTUNATE FLAT

It’s easy to tell when you go somewhere and rent a car. A popular

scam in Latin America is for a group of kids to flatten your tire,

offer to help you fix it, and then steal your things in the process.

FAKE TICKETS

While in Paris and London you may be pleasantly surprised to

find an “official” walking up to you in line and offering you a

special, slightly higher price on some tickets that will let you

skip the rest of the queue. Take note, however, those tickets

are probably worthless.

THE KIND PHOTOGRAPHER

Sometimes in Europe, when someone offers to take your picture,

it’s best to be careful. They may ask for some compensation

or even run off with your camera.