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Avoiding Common Travel Scams: Helpful Tips for Australian Travellers to Watch Out For

Avoiding Common Travel Scams: Helpful Tips for Australian Travellers to Watch Out For
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Living in Australia, we're fortunate to enjoy a level of safety and friendliness that many of us take for granted. But when you step off the plane in a foreign country, it's important to remember that things can be very different. As a tourist, you might stand out more than you'd like, making you an easy target for various scams. Staying alert and informed is your best defence against common travel scams. 

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common scams that Australians face when travelling overseas and provide helpful tips on how to help avoid them.  

Visit Fast Cover’s travel guides to learn more about crime and travel scams in your specific travel destination.

This is general information regarding travel scams and does not cover all kinds of scams. Always do your own research before travelling.

Taxi Scams Around the World

Taxi scams are one of the most common travel scams targeting foreigners in busy tourist destinations, transport hubs, and unfamiliar cities. Taxi scams often take advantage of language barriers, jet lag, and a lack of familiarity with local pricing or routes. While taxis and ridesharing services are generally considered safe and convenient, it’s important to stay alert and informed.  

Here are some common taxi scams to help you understand what to look out for.

taxi driving on street

Inflated Taxi Prices and Rigged Meters

Some taxi drivers manipulate meters, so they run faster than normal or claim the meter is “broken,” offering a much higher flat-rate for tourists and visitors. This scam is especially common near airports, train stations, and major tourist attractions where travellers need transportation to their accommodation and are unfamiliar with local pricing routes. 

Helpful tips to avoid rigged meter taxi scams while travelling: 

  • Research typical taxi fares before you arrive to your destination, so you know what’s reasonable.
  • Ask friends who live in the destination for guidance or to join you, as locals may be less likely to be scammed.
  • If a taxi fare seems unusually high, ask for a receipt or note the taxi number.
  • Insist on using the meter where required by law.
  • Use reputable ridesharing apps or pre-booked transfers with upfront pricing.

Taxi Ride the Long Way Home

Some taxi drivers deliberately take longer or more complex routes to increase the fare, often assuming tourists won’t notice as they are likely unfamiliar with the location. You may be told traffic is bad or that the usual route is closed, even when it isn’t. 

Helpful tips to avoid long taxi drive scams while travelling: 

  • Check your route on Google Maps or a navigation app before and during the trip.
  • Let the driver know you’re familiar with the general route.
  • Choose reputable rideshare services where routes and pricing are tracked.
  • Speak up politely if you believe the driver is going the wrong way.

Ridesharing App Scams

While ridesharing apps are generally considered safer for tourists, scams can still happen. Drivers may cancel trips and ask you to pay in cash, claim the app isn’t working, use a different vehicle than listed, or request you change the destination mid-trip to increase the fare. 

Helpful tips to avoid common ridesharing app scams while travelling: 

  • Always use licensed taxis or ride-sharing services.
  • Note the taxi number, company name, and driver’s details as soon as you get in.
  • Consider sharing your live location with a loved one.

Rental Vehicle Travel Scams

Many Aussie travellers choose to rent vehicles such as motorbikes and cars overseas to explore at their own pace but can often find themselves scammed by the rental vehicle provider.  

Here are some common rental vehicle travel scams and how to avoid them.

luxury car in Dubai

Pre-Existing Damage

Dubai’s glitzy lifestyle can be alluring, but it can also come with risks, especially when renting luxury cars. Luxury car rental scams in Dubai can involve rental agencies charging you for damages you didn’t cause or claim that traffic fines have been issued after you've left the country, demanding payment or holding onto your passport.  

Helpful tips to avoid common rental vehicle damage scams while travelling:  

  • Thoroughly inspect the car before driving off and document any existing damage.
  • Make sure you’re clear on what’s covered in the rental agreement.
  • Use a reputable rental agency with clear terms and conditions.
  • Never leave your passport or credit card as collateral.
  • Consider adding Rental Vehicle Excess insurance to your travel insurance policy for eligible rental vehicles. Fast Cover’s optional Rental Vehicle Excess benefit can help reimburse you for the rental vehicle excess component that you would have to pay your rental vehicle company should your rental vehicle be damaged in an accident while you are driving, or damaged or stolen while in your custody. ^

Passport Hostage

Southeast Asia is a favourite destination for Aussie travellers, but it’s also considered by many to be rife with motorbike rental scams in many locations including Bali, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. You might be asked to leave your passport as a deposit, only to be accused of damaging the bike upon return. The scammer then demands an exorbitant fee for repairs, refusing to return your passport until you pay.  

 Helpful tips to avoid common rental vehicle passport scams while travelling:

Street Scams Targeting Tourists

Street scams are among the most common ways travellers are targeted, especially in busy city centres, tourist hotspots, and public transport areas. Scammers often rely on distraction and surprise or offer unsolicited help to draw you into an interaction. 

Here are some common street scams that many travellers fall victim to and how to avoid them.

Free Gift Scams

Free gift scams usually begin with someone offering a bracelet, flower, or small souvenir, claiming it’s a free “welcome gift” or cultural gesture. Once accepted, they may demand payment or apply pressure until you hand over money, often creating an awkward or intimidating scene where tourists feel forced to pay. 

Helpful tips to avoid free gift scams while travelling:

  • Never accept items offered as “free” by strangers.
  • Keep your hands full or clearly decline and walk away.
  • Don’t stop to argue or explain, walk away and don’t engage in conversation.
  • If something is placed on you without consent, remove it and leave.

Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing is widespread in crowded areas such as markets, festivals, public transport, and popular tourist attractions in tourist hotspots across Europe and the UK, Asia and many other travel destinations. Thieves often work in teams, using distractions like bumping into you, asking for directions, or creating commotion while an accomplice steals your belongings.  

Helpful tips to avoid pickpocketing while travelling:

  • Use anti-theft bags or money belts and keep zippers closed.
  • Avoid carrying valuables in back pockets or easy-access areas.
  • Stay alert in crowded spaces and on public transport.
  • Split cash and cards between separate, secure locations.
  • Consider if your travel insurance provides cover for the loss, theft or accidental damage of your luggage and personal items in situations covered under your policy. Fast Cover’s International travel insurance may be able to provide cover if your luggage and personal belongings such as your phone, camera or laptop are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip overseas. Limits and sub-limits apply to how much you can claim for each item. Conditions including situations in which we would provide cover apply. ^

Photo Scams

Photo scams typically involve someone offering to take your photo or asking you to take theirs. In some cases, your phone or camera may be snatched, deliberately dropped to demand compensation, or used as a distraction while another scammer targets your belongings. In other cases, scammers may offer to take a free polaroid picture at popular attractions and then demand payment once the picture is developed. 

Helpful tips to avoid common photo scams while travelling:

  • Avoid handing your phone or camera to strangers who approach you first.
  • Ask fellow travellers or families to help with photos instead.
  • Use wrist straps, phone lanyards, or secure grips.
  • Stay aware of your belongings while focused on taking photos.

Financial Scams

Financial scams target travellers by tricking them into handing over money, payment details, or personal information. These scams can include fake fines, false claims about hotel or booking issues, overpayment tricks, or scammers posing as officials or service providers. They often rely on urgency, authority, or confusion to pressure you into paying quickly.  

Here are some common financial scams targeting travellers and how to avoid them.

ATM Skimming

ATM skimming occurs when criminals install hidden devices on ATM or cash machines to capture your card details and PIN. These devices are often placed on poorly lit or standalone ATMs, especially in tourist areas. In some cases, hidden cameras or fake keypads are used to record your PIN while you withdraw cash.  

Helpful tips to avoid ATM skimming while travelling: 

  • Use ATMs inside banks, hotels, or in well-lit, secure locations.
  • Check for loose or unusual parts on the ATM before inserting your card.
  • Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
  • Monitor your bank statements and report suspicious activity immediately.
  • Be cautious of people offering to help at ATMs or currency exchange booths with poor rates.
  • Consider taking a small amount of cash with you so you don’t have to use ATMs as often.

Fake Tours

Fake tour scams involve unlicensed guides or companies offering tours, transport, or experiences that don’t exist or are very different from what’s advertised, often providing a substandard experience. Travellers may pay upfront for tours that never happen, are rushed, unsafe, or include unexpected stops at shops where guides earn commissions. 

Helpful tips to avoid fake tour scams while travelling: 

  • Research tour operators thoroughly and book through reputable companies  to ensure safety standards.
  • Research reviews and verify company details before paying.
  • Avoid unsolicited tour offers in the street.
  • Confirm what’s included, the duration, and the total price upfront.

Drink Spiking and Robbery

One of the most talked-about scams in recent years involves tourists being targeted in popular nightlife spots in Paris, France. Scammers may spike your drink and wait until you’re incapacitated before robbing you of your valuables or charging thousands of dollars to your credit card. This is a serious threat that has left many travellers stranded and without passports, money, or even a way to contact their loved ones.  

Helpful tips to avoid drink spiking while travelling:

  • Always watch your drink being made and never leave it unattended.
  • Stick to well-lit, crowded areas, and avoid accepting drinks from strangers.
  • Consider carrying an anti-spike drink cover or drink testing kits that can detect common drugs used in spiking.

Helpful Links

By staying vigilant and taking preventive measures, you can enjoy your travels and reduce the risk of falling victim to common scams.  Below are some helpful links to help you stay up to date on common travel scams and take steps to prepare for your trip. 

Any advice is general only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. This is general information regarding travel scams and does not cover all kinds of scams. Always do your own research before travelling. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which product is right for you. Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). If you make a claim, we will fully assess your claim, as everyone's circumstances are different and we will assess each claim on a case-by-case basis.

FAQs

Contact the local police immediately and obtain a police report. Also, get in touch with your travel insurer as soon as possible, as you may have cover in some situations.

Depending on your chosen policy, and your particular circumstances, travel insurance may be able to cover some losses from scams, such as theft and fraud-related expenses. However, it’s important to note that many losses may not be able to be covered under travel insurance, and these losses can include, for example, traffic fines for rental cars, being overcharged by a taxi driver, damage to motorcycles and more. Understanding the differences between the different policy options and what can and can’t be covered can save you a lot of stress and money. Read more on how to choose the best travel insurance. 

Stay informed about common scams in your destination, use reputable service providers, and keep your valuables secure. 

Common scams include motorbike rental scams, fake tour guides, and overpriced merchandise, among other things. Always research and use reputable companies. Remember scammers can always come up with new ways to scam.

While scams can target anyone, Australians are often targeted in Southeast Asia and Europe, particularly in tourist hotspots.

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