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North America
297 scams
Top travel scams in North America
Hip Street bracelet scam in Jamaica
6 0How it works: At Hip Street, you may encounter touts who try to tie a bracelet around your wrist, then ask for payment. Places to beware: Montego Bay: Hip Street…
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Fraudulent tour operators in Bahamas
6 0How it works: Version 1: cancelling for no reason and not refunding the deposit. Version 2: sending you to a timeshare presentation. Version 3: misleading sales and marketing claims -…
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Pacaya volcano bus scam in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Opening: bus drivers to the Pacaya Volcano visitors’ centre have reportedly stop halfway through the journey, claiming that it is the destination. Set-up: they then ask that…
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Las Vegas sign photo scam in USA
6 1How it works: At the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, you will find many official-looking photographers ready to help you take a photo. Note that there are no such official…
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Sob story scammer in Panama
6 3How it works: Situation: One notorious scammer is “Carl Baker”, who has been ripping tourists and expatriates from English speaking countries off for years. Although Carlos Beckles Thompson is his…
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CD photo scam in Jamaica
6 0How it works: At tourist attractions or parks, photographers will snap photos of you and offer a CD of these photos at inflated prices. Some have reported receiving blank CDs…
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The three card monte scam in USA
6 1How it works: Situation: This is a variation of the ball and cup/shell game scam in Europe (e.g. France, Italy). To win, you bet which of three cards is the…
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Jet-ski scam in Bahamas
6 0How it works: Many watersports companies here are unlicensed and unregulated. There are jet-ski operators which overcharge and under-deliver (e.g. calling you back after 15 minutes when you have paid…
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Fundraising, donation scams in Canada
6 0How it works: Version 1: a group of Filipinos claims to represent the “Children Joy Foundation” – this is a legitimate charity, but the scammers are not. Happens in Japan…
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Music artist CD scam in USA
6 2How it works: Opening: at a crowded square, a local musician offers you a free CD of his music, claiming that you would be doing him a huge favour if…
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