Avoid getting ripped off by knowing what to look for and how to avoid it with advice on travel from Tradewinds Vacations.
If you look like and act like a tourist, chances are you are a tourist and that makes you an easy target when you travel abroad. Though most people are generally quite honest, there are those throughout the world who are just out to make an easy buck and tourists in unfamiliar settings are generally the chosen ones. No concept of the money the area or what is expected of them in a foreign land, scam artists can see a tourist coming from a mile away and will take advantage of this unsuspecting person. The trick is to know what to look for so you know what to avoid. Take a closer look at some of the more common scams which impact travelers while traveling abroad and learn what you can do to avoid becoming a target when you vacation with tips to help from Tradewinds Vacations.
It is important that you understand that you are not the only one who may have become a victim. You can do your part to avoid becoming a target, but that does not mean that you will not have something happen to you, however, it can improve your chances. For example, if a criminal is looking for a passport and you look like a tourist, chances are better that you will become a victim than if you did not look like a tourist. So dressing less like a tourist is a good way for you to avoid becoming an easy target, but it does not make you invincible. Other crimes such as money changing scams or taxi cab scams are harder to avoid as you will generally have to change money or hail a taxi when you are traveling abroad. If you prepare, you may be able to avoid these scams as well however. Changing some money before you leave and using atms at your destination are easy ways to avoid the money changing scams and renting a car or using public transportation you can avoid the taxi cab scams as well.
Most scams involve your money and generally, it is less than $100. To protect yourself, take a proactive approach to travel and your safety by:
Wearing a money belt
Leaving your credit cards and passport in a safe spot, not in your wallet
Avoid dark areas
Travel with a group
Keep your eye on your bags at all times
Take only cabs which are well marked
Dress more like the locals
Do not look at maps while you walk
Do not buy things off the street
Note: It is important to note that scams on tourists are not new in the world, just more easily reported. You are generally no more likely to be a victim today in most places than you were 10 years ago, but now you can learn what to look for and what to avoid. It is your job as an informed traveler to know what to look for and do your due diligence to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. Stay alert, stay smart and become an informed traveler. Avoid scams with advice to help from Tradewinds Vacations.
Tradewinds Vacations wishes you only the best experiences when you travel. Avoid becoming a scam victim by knowing what to look for when you travel and how you can better avoid it. Be smart, pay attention to your surroundings and practice safety when you travel abroad. Know what to look for and what you can do to protect yourself and make the most of your vacations.
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