In 2018, everything online can SEEM like a scam! The bad news? 6.09 million Australians were victims to a scam in 2017. The good news? You don’t have to be one of them in 2018! Fast Cover Travel Insurance has comprised a list of common scams even the savviest of us fall for. From fake visas to credit card scams, you don’t have to fall victim while you are sipping cocktails on the beach in Bora Bora… or wherever you are.
Fake Visa Guarantees
The latest threat and scam to Aussie travellers includes website and phishing emails coaxing travellers to pay exorbitant application fees for fake visas and guaranteed entry into tourist hotspot Canada. A lot of young Australians travel to Canada for IEC (International Experience Canada) with ambitions to work and study overseas. Prices for these trips are thousands of dollars to purchase travel insurance, airplane, tickets, accommodation and cost of living expenses. Any online company that guarantees you entry to a country is most likely a scam – beware of sharing personal information on these sites!
Travel holiday scams
It’s summer time. You are browsing the internet looking for a great offer for your next holiday. As you are browsing you come across a pop-up for a holiday to an exotic destination. The price is reasonable – very reasonable. You skim through their terms and conditions. Everything seems good. But wait… when you pay the money you don’t receive tickets… or an itinerary! The company have taken your money and not issue you with anything! To avoid even getting to this stage, do your research! Contact other travel providers who may have heard about said company, check their ABN, do a product review search. If you love a travel bargain, you could easily fall for a too good to be true travel scam!
Credit Card Scam
Credit card scams are probably one of the most notably scams in the last decade. Whether you are travelling overseas or at your local grocery store, scammers can scan your card details even if it’s in your back pocket! Scammers have advanced over the past decade with technology that allows for credit card fraud to happen without your card even needing to be out of your wallet! This is something to consider especially when you are travelling internationally. Never give your credit card to a vendor, instead choose to punch in the numbers yourself and keep the card in your sight at all times.
The ‘Good Samaritan’
Scammers know the soft spot of their targets. Family and friends are an easy lure for the unsuspecting. If you receive a message from a ‘friend’ who needs to you urgently wire money to them be careful! Catfishing is definitely not an uncommon occurrence with the rise of social media. If a friend is telling you they desperately need money through an email or non-secure website, then perhaps you should reconsider sending them anything till you have proper confirmation.
