Travel tour scams

One of the most common types of scams in Canada is fake tours or excursions. Some companies may offer you attractive prices for city tours or natural attractions, but in reality it will turn out to be a scam. Fake companies may not only take your money, but also fail to provide any services.

How to avoid:

• Check reviews of tour operators and excursions online.
• Use only trusted travel agencies.
• Make sure the company has all the necessary licenses and insurance.

Car rental scams

Car rental in Canada is a convenient way to travel around the country, but be careful. Some scammers may hide extra charges or even hide damage on the cars to charge you for damages after you return the car. They may also offer you unnecessary insurance.

How to avoid:

• Read the terms and conditions of the rental carefully.
• Take photos of the car before and after the rental, documenting all damage.
• Do not agree to unreasonable additional insurances unless they are mandatory.

Currency exchange scams

In major tourist destinations in Canada, you may encounter exchange offices with low rates, hidden fees or other traps. This can result in you receiving less Canadian dollars than you expected.

How to avoid:

• Use reputable money exchangers or make exchanges through ATMs.
• Avoid exchanging currency in tourist areas where rates are often less favorable.
• Use credit or debit cards to avoid having to exchange money locally.

Accommodation Scams

Many tourists encounter problems when booking accommodation through online platforms. Some scammers post false ads for cheap rented apartments or houses and then ask for prepayment and disappear.

How to avoid:

• Book accommodation through trusted platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or directly through hotels.
• Never send money for a rental before confirming that the accommodation actually exists and matches the description.
• Read reviews of owners and accommodations.

Cab scams

In major cities like Toronto or Vancouver, you may encounter illegal cabs whose drivers try to inflate the cost of the trip or even trick tourists into taking long routes. They may take you to bus or train stations where the fare is much higher.

How to avoid:

• Use only licensed cabs.
• Check the price before traveling.
• Use cab hailing apps like Uber or Lyft where the prices are fixed.

Travel payment scams

Some scammers may trick travelers by offering services at low prices but then forcing them to pay two to three times more. Such scammers often demand upfront payment or overcharge for additional services.

How to avoid:

• Always check the final amount, including all taxes and additional fees, before paying.
• Do not pay in full right away – do so only after you are fully convinced that the service is as advertised.

How to protect yourself from scammers?

• Be careful. If something looks too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
• Use secure payment methods. Paying via credit cards can give you fraud protection.
• Plan ahead. Learn about local scams and local laws so you can be prepared for possible risks.
• Contact the embassy. If you are a victim of fraud, report it immediately to your country’s consulate or embassy.

Conclusion

As attractive as Canada is to tourists, it is important to be aware of the possible risks. Knowing the most common fraud schemes and proper behavior will help you avoid unpleasant situations and make your trip safe and comfortable.

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Signing petitions as a type of scamming tourists in Paris

This method of fraud is common in places with medium and large attendance, such as Parisian museums – the Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou and others.

The essence of the fraud is as follows: a girl approaches you, usually accompanied by a group, and asks you to sign a petition. The reasons may be different: help children, animals, protection of Parisian sights, etc. While you listen to her explanation or decide to sign, her accomplices pick your pockets. If this fails, they will persistently ask you for money.

Beggars in Paris

In Paris, you will find many beggars who live not only in crowded places, but also on ordinary streets. They are especially common in narrow streets where they are hard to avoid. If you accidentally knock over their coin cup, they will demand compensation. Even if they don’t extort money directly, it may make you feel sorry for them and encourage you to add a few coins to their earnings.

Pocket thefts

Pocket theft remains one of the most common methods of fraud. Tourists rarely call the police, so these crimes pose less of a problem for thieves.

To protect yourself in Paris, especially in crowded areas (museum queues, public transportation, Eiffel Tower, etc.), keep your belongings in front of you. It is best not to carry a lot of cash with you. Keep valuable items in zippered pockets or, better yet, in the inside pockets of your clothes. Don’t carry bags and backpacks behind or to the side, and don’t put your phone in your back pocket.

Gambling on the streets of Paris

You can still find thimbles games on the streets of Paris. This is a game of chance where the host hides a ball under one of three thimbles and moves them around, and the player has to guess which thimble the ball is under. Sometimes you may think someone is winning in front of you, but it will be an accomplice cheater.

Cheating Paris visitors with cab fares

Traveling long distances, such as from the airport to Paris, or around the city in a cab taken off the street, can cost you 2-3 times more than expected. Cab drivers often choose the longest routes to increase the cost of the trip on the meter.

To avoid overpayments, order a cab through Uber, Bolt or local G7 service. For trips from the airport, it’s best to book a shuttle service in advance.

Buying tickets and accommodation in Paris

Offers to buy tickets to attractions or accommodation at significantly low prices are found on the vastness of the internet, especially on social media. However, don’t believe in miracles – Paris is known as an expensive city.

The natural desire to save money is understandable for everyone, but you should do it wisely and weigh the pros and cons. Do not trust those who offer to buy something much cheaper than the market price, as in 90% of cases it is a scam.

The best place to buy tickets is official websites. The second option is to use aggregators such as tigets or getyourguide. Their prices may be higher on some items, but you will get the product you are buying.

Found jewelry

In one common scam trick, scammers offer you a ring or other piece of jewelry claiming that you dropped it. The trick is there for any of your answers.

If the item turns out to be yours, they will demand payment for its return. If it does not belong to you, however, they may try to sell you this “find”. However, keep in mind that such jewelry is usually cheap costume jewelry that is not worth your attention.

Getting help with buying tickets on the Paris Metro

Getting help with buying tickets on the Paris Metro can be tempting, but you should be careful. Often the suggested method is to buy tickets from middlemen “off hand”.

At best, you will pay an inflated price for the tickets, and at worst, you risk getting “discount tickets” intended for certain categories of citizens, which can later lead to a fine when you check your fare.

Gifts from strangers

Walking along the streets of Paris you may meet “generous” strangers offering “free” gifts: flowers, bracelets, souvenirs. Do not be tempted. Behind the apparent kindness hides a cunning plan: the “gift” will only be an excuse to impose unnecessary services and extortion of money.

How to protect your vacation in Paris?

Now that you are aware of the most common methods used by scammers in Paris, let’s look at some simple ways to protect yourself:

• Avoid interacting with suspicious individuals. By simply walking by, you can avoid potential problems.

• Keep your belongings safe. Do not leave valuables in your backpack, purse or back pocket. Wear valuables under your clothes and keep your bag in front of you, especially on the subway. In restaurants or cafes, don’t leave money or cell phones on the table.

In Paris, as in any other major city, there are certain risks associated with fraud. However, by knowing the basic methods of deception and taking appropriate precautions, you can protect yourself and your valuables. Be vigilant, keep an eye on your belongings, avoid suspicious situations and dangerous neighborhoods. And remember that common sense and discretion are your best allies when traveling. Good luck and enjoyment in all your adventures.

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Scams on Vietnamese streets

Bicycle rickshaw debauchees in Nha Trang

Where it occurs: Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hue, Hanoi and other tourist spots.

Most common scam. One of the classic ways to scam tourists in Vietnam. To begin with, do not mess with cycle rickshaws. Never. Such a tourist trip looks simply barbaric, the desire to feel like a white exploiter does not make anyone better, but we are not about aesthetics and ethics now, but about fraud.

If you do contact a bike rickshaw, expect the price of the ride to increase five to ten times, even if you have agreed on the price a hundred times. At the end of the ride you will be “explained” that this price was in dollars, or that you missed a zero (three zeros) in the calculations and misunderstood. On attempts to solve the issue peacefully will certainly run away other cycle rickshaws, and the real hell will begin. Tested by many tourists. Rickshaws will start shouting, pushing you, pulling your things. The brawl looks terrible – ten twenty dirty dressed Vietnamese and tourists who are stunned. It is impossible to leave without losses, it is better to just give the money and forget as a terrible dream.

Often (in 5 cases out of 10) if tourists do not want to give the money in a good way, rickshaws provoke a fight. And the police will take their side, as there is no proof of your rightness for them.

What to do: never ride a rickshaw. You will pay 50 or 500 dollars instead of 50,000 VND anyway, and the police won’t help.

A spectacular photo on the street in Saigon

Where to meet: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danag, Hue, tourist spots

A colorful Vietnamese woman walks past you with a traditional pail full of fruit, smiles immensely, speaks Vietnamese and English, calls you a friend and offers to take a photo with the pail and fruit as a friend, wearing her straw hat. And when the photo-session is over, he starts selling fruit at exorbitant prices and swearing if you refuse.

What to do: pass by, do not engage in communication.

Can I shine your shoes?

Where it occurs: Hanoi, Saigon and other centers

Another popular scam. In tourist areas, you may be caught by unexpected “well-wishers” with a brush and wax. You stand with a camera and shoot the beauty of architecture or the bustle of the city, as suddenly pops up a Vietnamese with a brush, points at your dirty dusty shoes, and immediately begins to clean them. This “courtesy” usually costs 10-20 dollars. And on attempts not to pay causes shouting, noise and help of eyewitnesses.

How to be: refuse and continue moving even if he has already started, no reaction – the best way to get rid of the well-wisher.

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Scams in transportation: cab, tuk-tuk, motorcycle

There are several types of cabs in Thailand:

• Tuk-tuk. A three-wheeled motorcycle with a cab;
• Motorcycle cab;
• Cab with a meter (Taximeter);
• Songteu. It is a pickup truck with two benches, which in Pattaya, tourists call a tuk-tuk. It is considered public transportation.

Common types of deception/misunderstandings:

Often tuk-tuk and motorcycle cab drivers quote a price that ends up doubling or tripling at the end of the trip. It’s all about the fact that the amount previously agreed upon was per person.

How to protect yourself?

• Clarify several times for how many people the price of the trip is announced, for 100% understanding show the amount on your phone.

Payment to the driver of the songteu occurs after you have reached the desired stop. Sometimes, the tourist does not have change, so payment is made with a large denomination bill, in this case there is a chance that the driver will leave, and you will be left without change.

How to protect yourself?

• Pays everything under the settlement or small denomination bills.

Taximeter. This type of cab exists only in Bangkok. Payment is made by the meter, but some drivers do not include it, preferring to negotiate the price of the trip with the client. As a result, upon arrival, the price may not be the one you agreed on earlier.

How to protect yourself?

• Ask the driver to turn on the meter, in case of refusal, leave the car.

Suit Tailoring Scam

Most likely you have met at popular Thai resorts Indians who are eager to sell you a suit.

How it happens. On the street, a smiling man persistently offers to tailor a suit at affordable prices. You are invited to the atelier, take measurements and set a date of meeting, which is close to the date of your flight. At the same time, you need to make a prepayment.

After the paid amount, the tourist will not see neither the suit, nor the money, and if you are lucky, you will be given a suit that is 3 sizes larger, for the finalization of which you will definitely have no time left.

How to protect yourself

• Do not leave an advance payment.
• Use the services of trusted ateliers, which you can find through reviews on the Internet.

The post Scammers in Thailand – How Tourists Get Swindled appeared first on ScamTravels.

How to avoid fraud and not to become a victim of deception when it comes to visiting batik-art schools? Here are some useful guidelines.

Check the reputation of the school

Before enrolling in a course, make sure the school has a good reputation. Find reviews from previous students online, on travel forums or on social media. Pay attention to the presence of regular customers, not just tempting advertisements. Often scammers create fake review sites, so try to look for verification from a variety of sources.

Avoid “too good” offers

If the course price is too low compared to other schools, it should raise suspicion. Scammers often attract tourists with inflated price promises or discounts that at first glance seem like a great deal. In practice, however, such courses may not only fail to meet your expectations, but may turn out to be bogus.

Check the legitimacy of the school

Make sure that the school is registered and has the necessary licenses. Legitimate institutions always have the appropriate documents and can provide information about their activities. Course vendors who refuse to show you licenses or other official documents are most likely operating illegally.

Beware of offers without prior information

A real batik art school will always give you detailed information about the course content, instructors, schedule and cost. If you are offered a course without a clear description or are asked to pay for it right away, be wary. Also check carefully whether the price includes all the materials you need for the course.

Check the location

Sometimes scammers place advertisements on popular travel sites and offer to hold master classes in unfamiliar locations that have nothing to do with real schools. Check the address of the school on a map, research exactly where it is located, and don’t hesitate to ask locals for recommendations.

Keep an eye on the payment process

Do not pay for courses in full in advance, especially if you are asked to transfer money through unfamiliar or obscure payment systems. It is best to pay after you have visited the school in person or when you arrive at a pre-arranged location. Using secure payment systems or credit cards will also help you avoid problems with refunds if something goes wrong.

Contact travel associations

If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a school, contact local travel associations that can provide information on verified schools. Many tourist areas in Indonesia have such organizations and they can help you avoid scams.

Conclusion

Visiting a batik art school in Indonesia is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture of this country. However, as with any other travel activity, it is important to be careful not to fall victim to scammers. Check information, read reviews, ask questions and don’t rush into paying. With the right approach, your trip will not only be exciting but also safe.

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Generally, Portugal is as safe to travel as any other tourist destination you can go to, but of course, there are always some risks associated with visiting another country.

The main problem in Portugal is petty crime. Pickpockets, purse snatching and drug dealing are common, especially in big cities like Lisbon. But, for the most part, you’ll find the Portuguese friendly, kind and helpful. If you get lost or need help, it’s easy to find a local person willing to lend a helping hand.

General tips for staying safe:

Stay safe

Always be aware of where you are. Whether you are enjoying a Portuguese delicacy such as Pasztel de Nata at one of the local restaurants, relaxing on a beautiful beach, taking public transportation, or exploring the many historical sites, it pays to keep an eye on what is going on around you.

Leave valuables at home

If you are particularly concerned about not being robbed, don’t make yourself a target. If you have something of real value that you can live without, don’t take it with you on your trip. If you bring valuable items but don’t need them for a particular event, be sure to leave them in your room in a safe place.

Keep an eye on your bags

As we mentioned, pickpockets are not uncommon in Portugal. Make sure you keep an eye on the bags and wallets you have with you. Keep your purses on your lap when dining out, riding the streetcar or train. The same goes for any shopping bags you may have with you. Don’t leave them on the ground or on the backs of chairs. Try to keep them in plain sight at all times.

Do not carry a lot of cash with you

Walking around with large amounts of money makes you a target. If you are a tourist, you are already expected to have money. The more you hold in your hands, the more you risk losing. Leaving some cash in your apartment or withdrawing it from an ATM only when necessary can reduce your risk (always be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM!). If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your money behind, you should definitely carry it all with you, but be careful. Separate them up and stash them safely so you don’t have to pull out a giant wad every time you make a purchase.

Carry a copy of your passport with you

You never know when you might need to show your passport. If you’re in trouble or need help, the Portuguese authorities may ask for it. Rather than risk having your real document lost, make a copy to carry with you for the duration of your visit.

Insure your trip

No matter where or how long your trip is, you need to get insurance. The last thing you need is an unexpected medical bill that will cost thousands of dollars. Try to get a type of insurance that covers theft and loss.

Prepare for the weather

Portugal can be very hot. Always be sure you can cover your head if necessary and try to limit the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight, especially during midday. If possible, take a bottle of water with you so that you can drink. This is especially important if you are traveling to one of the country’s many beaches or hiking in the mountains or nature reserves.

Observe warnings

If there are warnings on the beach regarding currents or dangerous water conditions, pay attention to them. The Atlantic Ocean can be unpredictable, and it’s important that you realize that. The same goes for rules and warnings in nature preserves. Always remember, you are a guest.

Be cautious about the consumption of alcohol

We understand that everyone wants to have a good time. But exercising some caution when consuming alcohol is important. The last thing you want is to get lost or assaulted while intoxicated. And never leave your drink unattended. Always be cautious.

Try to learn a little Portuguese

Learning even a small number of Portuguese phrases will help you navigate many situations. This will make it easier for you to communicate with locals and help you stay safe.

If you are planning a trip to Portugal, you have nothing to worry about. Portugal is safe for tourists, and overwhelmingly, you will not have a single negative incident. By following the tips outlined above, you are sure to have a safe and fun vacation. Keep your eyes open and enjoy your stay!

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Don’t forget that Bali is not in the seventh heaven, but still on planet Earth. It is a beautiful island that can give you many pleasant moments. But don’t forget to be careful about security and especially financial security.

We present you the ten most popular tricks of exchangers, thanks to which you can lose your money.

1) Dumping part of the money during multiple recalculations

It seems as if the money has already been recalculated and you are sure that everything was issued normally. But the employee takes the money to count it again, pretending to be squeamish. At this moment he drops some of the money under the counter.

If the changer counted the money and handed you the packet, be sure to count it yourself. He may then take the bundle out of your hands and count it again. Take it and count it yourself again. Do not leave the changer with the last word. Do not leave the money changer until you have counted all the money yourself after it has been in the hands of the money changer.

2) Arrange the money into numerous piles

It would seem that everything should be visually clear. Here’s a million, here’s another one, here’s a third. In fact, the more such piles on the table, the more difficult it is for you to visually control each one. And if you lose focus, the money from these piles gets dumped under the counter at the money changer. Often they are dumped at the moment of putting all these packs into one common one.

When you have been given the final bundle, take it as a whole and count the whole amount again. After that, don’t give it out to recalculate it again if everything adds up. Thank them and leave. If you need to change a lot of money, for example, 1000 dollars, and you are afraid that you will not be able to hold the whole bundle of rupees in your hands, change 500 dollars first. Change it, it all fits, put the money in your bag. After that, change another 500 dollars.

3) Different exchange rates for different denominations

In Bali, dollars of different years of issue and different series have different values. On the sign of the exchanger is written the rate for new hundred-dollar bills. Therefore, if you suddenly change bills of a different denomination, you may be given a smaller amount.

Before you change the money, show your bills and ask if the exchange rate for dollars applies to them.

4) The absent-mindedness game

Applied even in proven exchange offices that look respectable. You are simply undercharged part of the amount, expecting that in a serious exchanger you will not expect to be cheated. If you notice, they just say “ah, sorry, I made a mistake…”. such carelessness… aye-aye-aye”.

If the final amount does not add up, just tell the exchange employee about it. Most likely they will just give you the missing amount.

5) Device collusion

When calculating the amount you should receive, the employee clicks the keys so cleverly that they click an amount less than what you should end up receiving.

It’s unlikely that your phone will collude with the money changer during your time at the exchanger. Before you do the exchange, calculate on your phone how many rupees you should get as a result of the exchange.

6) Attack on two fronts

While you are concentrating on getting your amount counted correctly and watching the money changer’s hands, a pickpocket enters the point and empties your bag.

If you enter a money changer, hang your bag or backpack in front of you. Never behind your back or on your side. If someone tries to lean on you, move away from that person. Driver! Keep your distance!

7) Muddy people in the exchange

If you are concentrating on exchanging and counting money and suspicious-looking, tattooed, angry-faced people enter the exchanger, you feel threatened, want to leave sooner, and don’t count the money carefully. These may be “actors” working in collusion with the exchanger to create a stressful condition in you.

Avoid stress at all costs. If you are stressed, you are acting illogically and to your own detriment. This is important not only for the situation with exchangers. Just keep your distance with such people, be confident and continue to methodically count your bills.

8 ) What do rupiahs look like?

If you’re new to Indonesia and you’re not very familiar with banknotes, and the zeros make your eyes water, you may be given a hundred thousand instead of a million without batting an eye. And ten thousand can be given for a hundred.

Many people call Indonesian money “wrappers”. Bright and beautiful. And not always so big. Pay attention to how the bills look. There are old and new banknotes. They can slightly differ in color, differ in pattern. Pay attention to the number of zeros.

9) The exchange rate at the point ends with 999 or 99

Thus the final amount you should receive is not rounded, contains a lot of change. If you don’t know much about Indonesian money, you may be given the wrong amount.

This is also where your knowledge of Indonesian money comes in handy. Try taking a crash course in familiarizing yourself with it before changing a large amount.

10) Smokescreen

Many tricks are used to divert your attention from the billing process. Sometimes a basket with offerings to spirits and a stick of incense is placed very close to the customers, so that the smoke goes into their eyes. And then you can hardly think of such a pious and devout man, as if he might harbor some treachery against you? This is not the main maneuver, but in combination with the above, it adds its mite.

There’s no weapon against a smokescreen. It’s an offering to the spirits. You can’t touch it. But if you observe all the previous rules of safe exchange of money, the spirits will probably favor you, and not the guy with lusciously polite manners and nimble hands.

More tips:

1. Do not change a large sum of money at the airport at once

There is not the most favorable rate. Exchange 20 – 50 dollars to get to your hotel, maybe eat until you find a money changer. The exchange office at the airport is open even deep at night. Exchange rates at hotels are usually very unfavorable too.

2. change the bulk of your money at chain exchange offices

It is better to change money in a bank or choose an exchange office that belongs to a large network. It is not profitable for the management to encourage fraudsters in their company, and it is much more profitable to keep a good reputation. Many exchangers are marked on the people’s map of Bali. Write reviews on good exchangers and they will be added to the map.

The post Scams in Indonesia’s Money Exchange Houses appeared first on ScamTravels.

• Follow the rules of hygiene;
• Do not eat unwashed fruits and vegetables. Wash only with boiling water. People often do not take this rule seriously. Even a banana should be washed, because in the process of peeling the peel, the infection can get on the fruit from the hands. It’s a general rule in Eastern countries;
• Drink only bottled or boiled water;
• Do not drink water from the hotel tap;
• Only brush your teeth with bottled water. This also applies to the hotel;
• It is undesirable to drink drinks with ice, as ice is not made from boiled water;
• Do not eat any exotic food from the trays;
• We will have a first aid kit for general use, but if anyone has their own specific medicines, they should take them.

Visa

A visa for Nepal can be obtained on arrival in Kathmandu. The passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry. Have a passport size photograph with you on Application Form.

Visas cost: 15 days multi-visa – 25 USD, 30 days multi-visa – 40 USD, 90 days multi-visa – 100 USD, single entry visa for 60 days – 30 USD. It is better to have money for visa without change. It is obligatory to declare more than 2000 imported USD.

How much money you need

• Visa – 25 USD (preferably without change);
• In Kathmandu we have only breakfast included. Lunch and dinner will be in restaurants of your choice. Lunch and dinner is about 15-20 USD;
• In Kathmandu you can buy several packets of trekking mix (nuts, raisins, dried fruits) to chew on the go. It is caloric and gives you strength. Guide will help to buy;
• Water on trekking (20 dollars in total).

Exchange offices in Kathmandu in Thamel are numerous, and there are no problems with exchange. You just need to keep in mind that you will not be able to change back into dollars

Guides will help with exchange and shopping

• Tips to local guides on trekking and rafting, tips to guides on excursions, tips in restaurants

Safety

Nepal is a safe country for tourists.

• In Kathmandu, especially in the Tamel district you can walk late at night;
• But as in every big city, theft is possible. Do not carry large sums of money in your handbags. A neck wallet is the most reliable. Make photocopies of the first page of your passport. Leave any money and documents you don’t need at the moment in the hotel safe;
• Have your hotel card with you. If you get lost, you can get to the hotel by cab or rickshaw.

The post Nepal: Important Safety Tips for Tourists appeared first on ScamTravels.

Prices

Cubans use two currencies – convertible cookies and non-convertible pesos. Their exchange rate is approximately as follows: 1 cuc = 28 pesos. Money bills look similar to each other and are marked with the same icons, which creates a favorable ground for the development of fraud with prices and money signs. Very often tourists, not understanding the intricacies of the Cuban economy, pay for cab rides or street food in cucas instead of pesos, and dishonest cab drivers and sellers shamelessly take the “wrong” money from them, thus getting superprofits.

Pesos

When you exchange your currency for pesos and cookies, compare the currency carefully and memorize the differences. Know that public transportation fares and street food are always in pesos, and don’t pay with cookies. Currency Exchange You are tired from your long flight and are looking for a currency exchange office at the airport. You count out, for example, €1000 and ask to exchange it for cookies. The cashier counts the money and says that you only gave €900. You write this mistake off as fatigue and give the cashier another €100, and then you get your cookies. You didn’t actually make a mistake in the calculation. It’s just that the cashier, having received the €1000, discreetly flicked one bill onto the floor. And when you leave, he will pick up the money and put it in his own pocket.

How to avoid being cheated?

Put the money out one bill at a time and count it out loud. Do not get distracted when exchanging currency. If you are sure that you are being cheated, go to the police without delay – exchange offices often have cameras and you can easily prove your case. But as a rule, it does not come to the police. As soon as you start to get indignant, the cashier will immediately “find” the “lost” bill on the floor and apologize.

Cafes

The following practice is widespread in Cuba: cafes have two entrances, one for locals and one for tourists. If you go in together with locals – you will eat not expensive and pay in pesos, if with the same foreigners – prepare to pay in cucas. There is another situation, when the entrance to the cafe is one, but the menus are different, and each copy is numbered with numbers: 1, 2, 3, etc. Accordingly, all menus have different prices. If you are brought a menu number 3, get ready to pay for a meal three times more expensive.

How to avoid being cheated?

Before entering a cafe, look around carefully. Go to the door where the locals go, and do not listen to advisers pointing to the entrance for foreign tourists. If they bring you a numbered menu, it’s better to eat at another establishment.

Cabs

Cuban cabs are not much different from cabs in other resort countries. Counters in cars are rare, and enterprising drivers will drive you on the streets around the hotel to get more money. It is very common for cab drivers, after taking foreigners to their destination, to claim that they have quoted a per-person fare. They then double or triple the amount, depending on the number of passengers. And quietly rejoice at how cleverly they have cheated tourists.

How to avoid deception?

The cost of the trip should be discussed in advance. Be sure to specify that it is the full amount of the trip, not the fare per passenger. Rent a car A foreign tourist driving a car is an easy prey for swindlers. This is used by everyone, starting with the car rental company, which attributes non-existent scratches on the hood after returning the car, and ending with gas station attendants who manage to “pour” more gasoline into the gas tank than it can hold.

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Be careful in crowded places

Pickpockets love crowded places such as markets, pedestrian streets and transportation hubs. In such locations, they can easily approach you from different directions, distract you and quickly take your wallet or phone. If you need to pass through such places, try to be extra careful not to lose sight of your belongings.

Use secure bags

One of the most effective ways to avoid theft is to use special bags that have anti-pickpocketing protection. Many companies offer bags with anti-theft locks, hidden pockets, and knife-proof drawstrings. There are also RFID-protected bags on the market that prevent your cards from being scanned remotely.

Carry only the essentials

One of the best ways to avoid theft is not to carry a lot of cash, documents or valuables. Use the hotel safe to store important items such as passports and extra money. On the day of your outing, only take the things you really need: some cash, a map and your phone.

Be careful with phones and valuable items

Cell phones and tablets are a frequent target of pickpockets. When you use them on the street, try to hold them with confidence and avoid exposing the screen in places with large crowds. Don’t leave your phone on tables in cafes, on public transportation seats and other places where it can be easily stolen.

Beware of scammers and fraudsters

Pickpockets can operate in more than just the shadows. Sometimes they use deception to divert your attention. This can be beggars, “transportation” or “medical” cases where someone is trying to get your attention in order to steal your belongings.

Carry your money in different places

Don’t keep the entire amount of money in one place. Divide it among several pockets, purses, or even bags. This way, if someone steals one portion, you will still have access to the remaining amount.

Know your rights

In Thailand, the police keep a close eye on the safety of tourists, and in case of theft, you can always seek help. Go to the nearest police station if your belongings have been stolen and fill out the necessary report. Having a copy of your passport and visa will make it easier to recover your documents.

Conclusion

Pickpockets in Thailand can appear in the most unexpected places, but if you are careful, your risks will be minimal. The key is to always stay alert, use anti-pickpocketing measures and don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. Then your trip to Thailand will pass without unnecessary trouble, and your vacation will remain only in positive memories.

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