Common Travel Scams: How to Spot and Avoid 12 of Them

What are the most common travel scams?

The scams government travel advice mentions most are inflated bar and restaurant bills, drink spiking, touts and commission detours, taxi meter tricks, fake police, distraction theft, short-changing, card skimming, vehicle damage claims, fake visa websites, booking phishing and romance scams. Most rely on a friendly stranger, time pressure or a payment you cannot reverse.

The table summarises where UK (FCDO) and Australian (Smartraveller) government advice warns about each scam, as checked on 16 October 2026, with one way to avoid it. The sections below explain how each works. Two have their own deep guides: bar and restaurant scams abroad and romance scams that target travellers.

Places listed are examples from official pages, not a ranking of risk, and a country missing from a row is not necessarily free of that scam. Smartraveller’s general guide to scams that affect travellers is a useful companion to this page.

How do bar and restaurant overcharging scams work?

A friendly stranger, tout or dating-app match takes you to a venue they choose, prices are hidden, and the bill arrives inflated, with pressure to pay, sometimes at a cash machine. Spot it by who picks the venue and whether you can see prices. Choose your own bar, check the menu and pay as you go.

Official advice describes versions in İstanbul, where Smartraveller says the scam is regularly reported; in China, where the FCDO calls it the “tea tasting” or “massage” scam; in Hungary, where tourists have been taken to cashpoints to pay; and in Tokyo’s nightlife districts, where the FCDO warns about street touts, drink spiking and card fraud.

Drink spiking can accompany these scams or happen on its own, and the FCDO reports it in places including Budapest’s bars and Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Our bar and restaurant scams guide has the full city table, the warning signs and what to do if you are overcharged, including card chargebacks.

Why do touts and friendly drivers steer you to certain places?

Often because they are paid. Official advice says some taxi drivers receive commissions for bringing customers to bars, clubs, restaurants or shops, and street touts may misrepresent what a venue offers. Spot it when someone you did not approach offers a recommendation or a cheap tour. Choose places yourself and decline the detour.

The FCDO says some taxi drivers in Hungary receive a commission for recommending certain bars, clubs and restaurants, and Smartraveller suggests not asking a driver to recommend one. In Japan, the FCDO says street touts often misrepresent the services on offer and advises not following them into bars. Smartraveller’s general guide warns about seemingly friendly taxi drivers who offer cheap tours and bring tourists to shops where they earn a commission, leaving you overcharged or sold products of little value.

A recommendation is not always a scam, but you lose nothing by checking reviews and making your own choice. If a driver insists on a stop you did not ask for, say no clearly and, if needed, ask to be dropped somewhere busy and book another ride.

What is the “closed attraction” and gem shop scam in Bangkok?

Someone tells you a temple or palace is closed, then offers a cheap tuk-tuk tour that ends at a gem or jewellery shop selling stones at inflated prices. Smartraveller warns that drivers offering cheap tours in Thailand may take you to commission shops selling worthless gems. Check opening times yourself and do not buy gems as an investment.

Smartraveller’s Thailand page warns about apparently friendly taxi or tuk-tuk drivers who offer cheap tours and take you to shops where they receive a commission, where you may be overcharged or sold worthless goods or gems. It advises agreeing the fare and route before getting into an unmetered taxi, tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi, and calling the Tourist Police on 1155 if you need help.

The “closed” opening line is a long-running Bangkok version. Khaosod English reported on 22 May 2015 that Thai police arrested 22 people over the Grand Palace scam, in which visitors are told the palace is closed, offered a bargain tuk-tuk tour and taken to a jewellery shop selling low-quality gems at high prices; a police spokesperson said the scammers were often paid 30% commission by the shops. Neither the FCDO nor Smartraveller names the Grand Palace today, so treat the report as background and check opening times through official channels rather than with a stranger at the gate.

Our Grand Palace guide covers visiting, and getting around Bangkok explains the transport options that avoid haggling with drivers altogether.

How do taxi meter and route scams work?

An unlicensed driver quotes a high flat fare, a licensed one leaves the meter off or takes a longer route, or a rideshare driver enters the wrong amount at the end. Spot it when the meter is not running or a driver approaches you inside the terminal. Book through an app or official rank and insist on the meter.

Smartraveller’s general guide says unlicensed drivers who do not use meters often pick up passengers at airports and attractions, offering flat fares above the metered cost, and that some drivers do not use the meter, which is illegal in most countries. It suggests noting the vehicle number, company and driver’s name at the start of the trip. In Türkiye, it reports inflated fares and longer routes, particularly to and from İstanbul’s airports, and advises checking that a driver using a rideshare app enters the correct amount at the end.

The FCDO tells visitors to Prague to check the rates on the side of a taxi before getting in and to beware of unmarked cars posing as taxis; in China, to insist on paying the metered fare and ask for a receipt; and in Poland, it warns that unofficial taxi drivers often overcharge. For city detail, see our guides to getting around Istanbul and getting around Bangkok.

What should you do if a police officer asks to check your cash?

Be suspicious. In Czechia, the FCDO warns about criminals posing as plainclothes police who ask to see foreign currency and passports, and Smartraveller says they often operate near cash machines. Do not hand over money or cards. Offer to go with them to the nearest police station, or call the emergency number to check their identity.

The FCDO’s Czechia advice says Czech police officers do not have the right to do this, advises offering to go with them to the nearest police station instead, and says you can call 112 to check their identity. Smartraveller’s Czech Republic page adds that these criminals often operate near ATMs, while noting that real police officers can ask for ID at any time.

That last point matters, because showing identification is different from handing over your wallet. In some countries you must show ID when police ask: the FCDO says a copy is not acceptable in Hungary, and that authorities in busy areas of İstanbul may stop people for ID checks. Carry the document the law requires, keep cash and cards separate, and never let anyone count your money for you.

How does distraction theft work?

One person draws your attention while another takes your phone, wallet or bag. The distraction might be a crowd, a staged performance, a request for help or someone stopping at your café table. Treat any sudden commotion as a possible set-up, keep bags closed and in front of you, and keep valuables apart.

The FCDO says pickpockets in France can work in gangs, with one distracting you while another goes into your bag, and that thieves operate on the Paris Métro, RER lines and at mainline stations; it advises not getting distracted around tourist attractions and ATMs. Smartraveller’s Italy page says thieves often operate in groups and use distractions such as staged street performances, particularly at central train stations.

Smartraveller’s general guide lists other set-ups: a crowd forming around you, an offer of or request for help from someone you do not know, or a friendly stranger coming to chat at an outdoor café table. Keep your phone off the table, do not hang your bag on a chair and carry a second card separately. Our lost passport guide covers what to do if documents are taken.

How do you avoid being short-changed at a money changer in Bali?

Use a bank or a licensed money changer showing Bank Indonesia’s logo and QR code, avoid street booths with unusually good rates, and count the rupiah yourself at the counter before leaving. If staff take the notes back after you have counted, count again. Official advice warns that unlicensed changers may short-change visitors.

The FCDO’s Indonesia advice says unlicensed money changers may short-change you and that you should only use licensed exchanges identified by a Bank Indonesia logo and a QR code. Smartraveller’s Indonesia page says unauthorised changers have been known to scam foreign tourists in Bali and elsewhere, and points to authorised changers listed on the Bali Foreign Exchange website.

Rupiah prices run into many zeros, which makes miscounting easy. Count notes slowly, keep large and small notes apart and keep the receipt. Our money in Indonesia guide explains licensed changers, ATMs and why paying in rupiah usually beats your home currency.

How do card skimming and currency conversion tricks cost travellers money?

Skimmers copy card details at tampered ATMs or when your card leaves your sight, and some criminals stick fake helpline numbers on machines. Separately, terminals may offer to charge you in your home currency at the merchant’s rate. Use ATMs inside banks, keep your card in view, never call numbers on a machine, and pay in local currency.

The FCDO warns about ATM skimming in Thailand, advises using ATMs inside banks and checking street machines for tampering in Hungary, and says criminals in Indonesia sometimes place a fake telephone number on ATMs so they can ask callers for card details. Smartraveller reports skimming in Italy and France, and its general guide adds not letting a shop assistant take your card out of sight or swipe it in a second machine.

Dynamic currency conversion is legal but often costly: the card machine or ATM offers your home currency, converted at the exchange rate of the merchant’s bank. The European consumer organisation BEUC, which said that rate is often costlier, advised in October 2016 to always pay in the local currency. Our dynamic currency conversion guide explains what to press, and our travel money guide compares card types.

How do jet-ski and scooter damage scams work?

A hire operator claims you damaged the vehicle and demands a large payment, sometimes holding your passport until you pay. Spot it when an operator asks for your passport as a deposit. Photograph the vehicle before you ride, check your insurance covers it, and never leave your passport as security.

Smartraveller’s general guide says jet-ski, motorcycle and car hire scams happen overseas, with travellers harassed and threatened by operators who claimed they had damaged the vehicle, demanded large sums and kept passports as collateral. It advises reading reviews of local rental companies, photographing any existing damage and checking whether your insurance covers recreational vehicles. The FCDO’s Thailand advice says not to hand your passport over as a guarantee to motorcycle or jet-ski rental businesses, because companies may hold on to it against claimed damage.

Take time-stamped photos and a short video of every side before you set off, and again when you return. If a dispute starts, stay calm and ask for the police or tourist police rather than paying on the spot; in Thailand, Smartraveller gives the Tourist Police number as 1155.

How do fake visa and arrival-card websites work?

Copycat sites charge a fee for forms that are free or cheaper on the official government site, or claim to sell authorisations that are not yet available. Spot them by checking the web address against official advice before paying. Thailand’s digital arrival card and Indonesia’s arrival card are free, and the EU’s Entry/Exit System needs no pre-registration.

Smartraveller’s Thailand page says the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is free and must be submitted through the Thai Immigration Bureau website, and warns about fake websites charging a fee. For Indonesia, the FCDO says the All Indonesia arrival card is free and travellers should avoid alternative websites or email links that request payment; Smartraveller adds that official government sites include go.id in the address. Our TDAC guide walks through the real form.

Europe has the same problem. Smartraveller’s EU country pages, such as Hungary, say the Entry/Exit System is free and needs nothing from you before you reach the border, and, as of 16 October 2026, that ETIAS applications are not yet open, warning about websites claiming to sell ETIAS authorisations. Its general guide says some third-party sites that charge to submit visa applications are scams, and advises using links recommended by the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting.

How do fake accommodation listings and booking phishing messages work?

Scammers post listings that do not exist, or send messages that appear to come from your hotel or booking platform, quoting real booking details and urging you to re-enter card details or pay by bank transfer to keep the room. Spot the urgency and the off-platform payment request. Check your booking in the official app before paying anything.

Booking.com’s safety page for travellers reports an increase in phishing messages via WhatsApp, phone and email that usually claim to come from the accommodation and include convincing details about your stay. It says it will never ask you to share card details by email, phone, text or WhatsApp, or to make a bank transfer that differs from the payment policy in your booking confirmation, and it warns that significantly lower prices are a common red flag for fake properties. TravelPulse reported on 15 April 2026 that Booking.com had told guests unauthorised third parties had accessed some booking information, the kind of detail that makes such messages convincing.

Smartraveller’s general guide says scammers set up fake websites or profiles and post fake ads for hotel rooms and holiday rentals on real websites, and its France page reports identity theft through accommodation scams. It also warns about fake payment QR codes stuck over real ones. Pay only by the method in your confirmation, keep messages on the platform and, if you have clicked a link, contact the platform and your bank. In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726, as the NCSC explains.

How do romance scams target travellers?

Fake profiles on dating apps and social media build a relationship, then ask for money for an emergency, a customs fee or a crypto investment. Claims of being overseas explain why they cannot meet. Spot any money request from someone you have not met in person. Never send money, and report the profile to the platform.

Smartraveller lists romance and online dating among common scams in the UAE and says online relationship scams are common in Thailand; the FCDO warns about romance and friendship scams in Malta and Ghana. The US Federal Trade Commission and Australia’s Scamwatch describe the same scripts: a job overseas, a sudden emergency and an investment that cannot lose.

Our romance scams guide covers the warning signs, crypto “pig butchering”, sextortion and where to report in the UK, US and Australia.

What should you do if you are scammed abroad?

Get somewhere safe first. Then call your bank to block cards and dispute card payments, report the crime to local police and ask for a written report, tell your travel insurer, and contact your embassy if you need help. Report online fraud at home too, and ignore anyone offering to recover your money for a fee.

Smartraveller’s scams guide sets out the order: get away from the person or venue, report the crime to local police and always ask for a police report, contact your bank to block your cards and account, and call your travel insurer, most of which have a 24-hour emergency number. Use the emergency number on the FCDO “Getting help” page for your destination; in Thailand, for example, the tourist police are on 1155.

Embassies can help in limited ways. The FCDO says it can provide contact details for local police and medical services, may sometimes accompany you to report a crime and can give details of local lawyers, but cannot investigate crimes, pay your bills or give you money; British nationals can call +44 20 7008 5000 at any time (FCDO consular guidance).

For card payments, ask your bank about a chargeback; the Financial Ombudsman Service says you usually have around 120 days, though success is not guaranteed. Report online fraud to Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Police Scotland on 101, or the FBI’s IC3 in the US, which warns about recovery services charging upfront fees. If your passport was taken, see what to do if you lose your passport abroad.