Top Travel Scams (and How to Outsmart Them)

You’re strolling through a busy market in Bangkok when a friendly local offers to show you a “special temple” not in the guidebooks. Before you know it, you’ve paid triple the normal price for a tuk-tuk ride to nowhere special.

Now, knowing me – I may be intrigued and this could end up the best local experience I’ve had EVER. But, more likely, it’s a travel scam. (I mean, you could follow your gut. That has never failed me, especially when sensing danger.)

Travel scams to avoid range from simple taxi overcharges to complex rental frauds that can drain your wallet and ruin your trip. Each year, thousands of tourists fall victim to these tricks, often losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The good news? You can spot most scams with some basic knowledge. Scammers target travelers who seem lost, distracted, or too trusting. They count on your unfamiliarity with local customs and your desire to be polite.

This guide will show you the most top travel scams and give you practical tips to protect yourself. You’ll learn warning signs, smart safety habits, and what to do if you get caught in a scam.

Your dream vacation doesn’t have to turn into a nightmare.

Common Travel Scams & How to Avoid Them

Travel scams can ruin your trip—but only if you’re caught off guard. The truth is, most of them are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Here’s what I’ve seen in the wild and how you can protect your peace (and your wallet).

Taxi overcharge scams

Taxi scams rank among the most common traps for tourists worldwide. I’ve seen this firsthand while traveling in to Paris, where a driver claimed his meter was working correctly and charged me triple the normal fare. 

These scammers often take longer routes, claim extra fees don’t exist, or switch your real money with fake bills during payment. Some even pretend the meter is broken or rigged it to run faster (like I experienced in Paris).

The most costly taxi ride isn’t the one with the highest fare—it’s the one that steals your trust in local hospitality.      – Robin Kinkade, Travel Concierge

How to protect yourself: To dodge these scams, always use licensed taxis from official taxi stands. Ask locals about normal fares before your trip. Take photos of taxi numbers and licenses when you get in. Most cities now have flat-rate options between major spots like airports and downtown areas.

In many places you can still use apps like Uber, Lyft, and Bolt (in Europe), which can also help you avoid the hassle since prices are set before your ride starts. 

The “Hotel Is Closed” Trick

One of the oldest tricks in the book happens right at the start of your trip. Taxi drivers might tell you your hotel or hostel has shut down, burned down, or gone out of business. They’ll act concerned and offer to take you to a “better place” they know. This happens, especially, in remote places and smaller towns.

Don’t fall for it! This scam leads to kickbacks for drivers who deliver tourists to overpriced hotels. I once landed in Fez, Morocco and my driver tried this exact move, claiming our guesthouse had closed. It was past midnight and we could not reach our hotel host. We we in the middle of nowhere so our only choice was to rely on the recommendation of our driver. We ended up at a terrible 1-star motel. We were safe. But it was awful. I did not sleep all night. In the morning, when we got our barings, we realized that we could have went a little further to find a more reliable hotel. 

In this situation, we were at the mercy of our driver. But the biggest lesson for me was to always makre sure that before traveling make sure to have your travel emergency plan in place!  

Pickpocketing Distractions

Thieves have clever tricks to grab your stuff while you travel. Watch out for people who “accidentally” spill drinks or food on you – this messy distraction gives their partners time to snatch your wallet or phone.

Your attention goes to the stain while your valuables disappear. Street gangs often use groups of children who swarm around tourists, asking for money or showing maps. These kids work as teams – some distract you with sad stories or questions while others slip hands into your pockets or bags.

Stay alert in crowded spots like train stations, tourist sites, and busy markets. Keep your cash split between different places and use a money belt under your clothes for important items. I like to keep my cash in my bra. You would have to literally put your had down my shirt to steal my cash and cards – so that’s my top recommendation, especially when traveling to crowded places.

Bags with zippers facing your body make theft harder. Fake tourist police might ask to check your wallet for “counterfeit bills” – real officers never ask to hold your cash or cards.

And you may also want to consider wear a wrist strap or crossbody strap for your phone. That way when you pull it out and use it, no one can come quickly by you and snatch it from your possesion. It’s litterally tied to you.

Another warning, especially in Europe when eating in cafe. Never, ever rest your phone on the table. It will disappear before you even realize it.

Trust your gut feeling if something seems off about a situation or person approaching you.

Fake Wi-Fi hubs

Free Wi-Fi spots can be digital traps set by scammers. Criminals create fake networks with names like “Hotel Guest Wi-Fi” or “Free Airport Internet” to trick you. Once you connect, they can see everything you type—including passwords and credit card numbers.

These data thieves lurk in coffee shops, airports, and tourist hotspots where you’re likely to search for connection. Your private info gets stolen without you noticing a thing.

Protect yourself by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app on your devices. This creates a secure tunnel for your data that hackers can’t break into. Never access banking sites or enter payment details while on public networks. I’ve been using NORD VPN for at least a decade!

If you must connect, verify the correct network name with staff. Bad guys count on your need to stay connected, so think twice before joining any “free” network during your travels.

International travel document scams

Scammers create fake websites that look just like the U.S. Department of State‘s official site. They trick you into paying too much for visas or passports that might never arrive. These con artists know you need these papers fast, so they prey on your rush to get things done.

Only trust the official U.S. Department of State for your passport needs.

Watch out for phony International Driving Permit offers too. Fake permits can land you in hot water with foreign police or rental car companies. The truth is that only three groups can legally issue these permits in the USA: the U.S. Department of State, AAA, and AATA.

If you see permits sold elsewhere, walk away fast. Scammers may ask for your personal info, setting you up for identity theft while you’re trying to plan your trip.

Vacation home rental scams

Bad actors often steal real rental listings or make fake ones to trick you out of your money. They post beautiful photos of homes that don’t exist or aren’t for rent. This is even more prevelant now that AI generated photos appear so real. If you pay a deposit, then show up at your vacation spot, and find nothing waiting for you – what is your recourse? Well, always travel with travel insurance! We’ll dig into that more later.

To stay safe, search online using words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint” plus the rental name. You can also check ratings on sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot before booking. Look for odd payment requests like wire transfers or gift cards. These days, you may even call up the accommadtion – especially if its a rental or private guesthouse, and ask them to stream with you live at the accoomdation. Have them start from the outside so you have a sense of the neighborhood you’ll be arriving to. Then have them walk through every inch of the place you will stay. I did this when doing a long term stay in Costa Rica. This gave me peace of mind before arriving. I also imprinted what to look for as the taxi dropped me off.

A big red flag is if the host of the accommdation refuses to do this. Real property owners, although they are busy, will understand your need for this type of reassurance. They also won’t rush you or offer massive discounts without reason. Booking through trusted sites with buyer protection helps; and never send cash to strangers. 

Warning Signs of a Scam

Scammers leave clues if you know what to watch for. Red flags pop up when offers land in your inbox without you asking, or when deals seem way better than normal prices.

Unsolicited offers

Surprise vacation deals that pop up in your inbox or through robocalls should raise red flags right away. These offers often come from unknown sources claiming you’ve “won” a free trip or can access amazing discounts.

I once read a stroy about a woman who received a call about a “complimentary cruise” while sitting in an airport – the caller needed just $200 in “processing fees” via gift card. The Federal Trade Commission reports that vacation robocalls are typically illegal unless you’ve given written permission to the company contacting you.

The best travel deals rarely find you – you find them through careful research and planning.  – Margot Robbins, Frequent traveler

Pay close attention to how these offers ask for payment. Any request for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency points to a scam. Real travel companies accept credit cards that give you fraud protection.

Trust your gut – if the deal sounds too perfect, it probably hides a costly trap.

Deals that seem too good to be true

Those amazing vacation deals with rock-bottom prices often hide nasty surprises. Premium vacation properties listed at super low prices should raise red flags right away. Scammers create fake listings with stolen photos or use AI, and drop prices way below market rates to hook you fast.

They’ll use high-pressure sales tactics too, pushing you to “book now before someone else does!” This rush prevents you from checking if the deal is real.

Trust your gut when browsing travel offers online. If a luxury beach resort costs less than a motel, something’s fishy. Legitimate travel deals have reasonable discounts, not miracle prices.

Check reviews from many sources before booking anything that looks too cheap. Most importantly, call the property directly to confirm they’re running the special. Most travel scams count on your excitement about saving money to cloud your judgment.

A quick 10-minute research session can save you from losing thousands on fake rentals or non-existent vacation packages.

Why Travel Insurance Might Be the Smartest Thing You Pack

A few years ago, a friend lost their wallet at a night market in Thailand. Total chaos. But because they had travel insurance, they got reimbursed for the stolen cash and had help canceling and replacing their cards. Stressful? Yes. But it didn’t ruin their trip.

Travel insurance is your backup plan when things go sideways. Whether it’s a canceled flight, a stolen bag, or a broken leg during that “just-one-more” zipline ride—you’ll be glad you’re covered.

What Travel Insurance Can Cover:

 

• • Medical emergencies (hospital stays, doctor visits abroad)

• • Trip delays or cancellations (weather, strikes, personal emergencies)

• • Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage

• • Emergency evacuation or repatriation

• • Rental car damage

• • 24/7 travel assistance

And yes—most domestic health plans don’t work overseas. That includes Medicare.

What to Look for in a Good Policy:

• Make sure the company is licensed and rated
• Check the coverage limits for medical and evacuation
• Look for “cancel for any reason” add-ons if you’re planning far ahead
• Ask if your plan includes coverage for COVID-19 or other pandemics
• Adventure traveler? Add coverage for high-risk activities (scuba diving, ziplining, skiing, etc.)
• Don’t assume your credit card coverage is enough—read the fine print

I’ve personally used plans from SafetyWing, World Nomads, and MedJet, depending on the trip. Each one caters to a different type of traveler—digital nomads, backpackers, luxury travelers, etc.

A few dollars up front could save you thousands when things go wrong. Think of travel insurance as peace of mind… that fits in your carry-on.