Vacation is the most pleasant time of the year when you can enjoy good weather, delicious food, meet interesting people and just have a good rest. However, often, traveling to an unfamiliar country, tourists become victims of scammers. So that the long-awaited vacation is not overshadowed, we recommend that you pay attention to the most common scams for vacationers.
Puppets
In many tourist places, vacationers are offered to make a memorable photo with life-size puppets in the guise of their favorite cartoon characters. Most often, their "prey" are tourists with children. As soon as happy parents capture the child, the "dolls" begin to literally demand money. Many under aggressive pressure are ready to pay, if only they are behind them. If the price has not been agreed in advance, we advise you to simply turn around and not spoil your mood by clarifying the relationship.
Checks in stores
When purchasing goods in a supermarket, do not be too lazy to check the number of items and their cost. In some countries, dishonest cashiers, seeing that they are in front of a tourist, break through an excess product or a more expensive brand in the hope of inattention of the buyer.
Restaurant bill
In some restaurants, at the sight of tourists, waiters, counting on their lack of knowledge of the language, may include such services as the use of cutlery, air conditioning, napkins, etc. Therefore, if the check provided is in doubt, ask for a menu and check with him.
In the central city markets, traders also often increase the cost of food when they see tourists. Therefore, it is better to purchase goods in places where there is a price tag, in a supermarket or on the outskirts, away from tourist places.
the Rose
In the capital of Italy it is worth being vigilant at the sight of a charming stranger with a rose in his hand. As a rule, a man approaches a girl who attracted him, gives a flower and pretends to be hugging, and at this time he pulls out all the most valuable from his bag and pockets.
In other countries of the world, gypsies offer a rose, but they act in a different way. Having thrust a flower in, a woman begins to demand money for him, having been refused, she starts screaming all over the street and exposing a person in an unsightly light. In such cases, it is better to pretend that you do not understand what it is about, return the rose and leave.
Friendship Bracelet
In Europe, a common trick for tourists called the “friendship bracelet”. Fraudsters instantly set off in a crowd of vacationers. They approach them and put on a woven bracelet on their hand, and then ask for money for it. In such a situation, it is best to portray misunderstanding and retire. Often, a “friendship bracelet” is offered to be acquired by children, for only a nominal fee. However, do not lose your vigilance, this is just a trick to find out where you are hiding your wallet.
Dancing cartoons
In Europe, on pedestrian boulevards you can see a man with a tape recorder and paper dolls dancing next to him. They sell these cartoons for a small amount, according to the seller, they work from the waves coming from the speaker. In fact, although for little money, you get only a piece of cardboard. Each character on the reverse side has a hook to which the fishing line is attached, with its help the fraudster controls the doll.
National clothes
The photographer offers to take some pictures in national clothes for a small fee. The deception is that after shooting it turns out that the announced amount implied only one element of clothing.
Local currency
Going on a trip, it is important to learn as much as possible about the local currency, its face value, appearance, etc. The fact is that cunning sellers often try to give change with money that has long been out of circulation.
Signature
If, while walking, you saw a table with papers and pens laid out on it, do not rush to put your signature. Rogues invite tourists and ask to sign under various pretexts. As soon as the signature is made, they will ask you for money as a mandatory donation, arguing that this condition is written in small print on the sheet where you recklessly signed.
Help with luggage
At some tourist resorts you may be asked to find luggage on the tape and deliver it to customs inspection. Of course, this service is not free, for it they ask for an average of 10-15 dollars.
Apartment purchase
Sometimes on vacation new acquaintances may offer you to purchase an apartment in the resort area for a price lower than the market. But in order not to lose such a great option, you will be asked to make a deposit. It is worth guessing that as soon as the money falls into the hands of a fraudster, dreams of an apartment will evaporate.
Assistants
If, while you are abroad, someone will offer you even a minor service, immediately ask how much it will cost. Sometimes it comes to the point of absurdity, a person photographs you on your camera and asks for money for it. Or, for example, in Egypt, you can ask a passerby how to get to a place, he will accompany you kindly, and then ask for a reward for this.