According to an article by Jennifer Polland of Business Insider, travelers may have more to be cautious of while taking their summer trip than the typical concerns of cooperative weather, or getting lost in a new city. Tourist scams are becoming a prevalent threat that can leave a traveler vulnerable and confused in a foreign country. Knowing ahead of time how to avoid getting scammed while abroad will save a traveler’s money and even pride.
The Creative PickPocket
The creative pickpocket is one who not only steals a traveler’s belongings without them even noticing, but has a story, or a tag team involved as well. Jennifer Polland lists “street games” as a common way to distract tourists and create an opportunity to steal their belongings. While the travelers are consumed by watching the games or magic tricks, an accomplice of the entertainer will sneak in and empty the traveler’s pockets.
Another type of creative pickpocket that tourists must be conscious of is found worldwide, and will try to take advantage of the sympathy of others. Polland refers to this type of scam as “the beggar”. These scammers will guilt travelers into donating loose change, while fellow pickpockets nearby look on to see where the traveler keeps their wallet for a future steal.
The Forced Purchase
Another common theme among tourist scammers is the demand of payment for an unintended purchase. Polland notes multiple scams that result in the tourist coughing up money for something they may not have even requested. “The overly helpful local” and the “seemingly free peanuts” are two ways travelers get scammed by locals in a personal way. Often the helpful local will offer help with a seemingly complicated ATM, memorizing the traveler’s card information for later use once they pickpocket them.
“The seemingly free peanuts”, a scam that is common in Rio De Janeiro, occurs when a stranger will approach a travelers table, offer some peanuts, or another common good, and will immediately pour them on the table. Once the traveler takes the offering, the man will demand payment for his goods.
It’s important for travelers to balance their excitement with a healthy awareness of their surroundings, and to approach the trip with caution.