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North America
297 scams
Top travel scams in North America
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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Horse carriage ride scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Similar to the classic American ride scam in Havana, you think the price quoted initially is the total for everyone on the ride, but will be told…
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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 1How 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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Price quote scams in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: It is common in Costa Rica for tourists to be expected to pay higher prices than locals. This is possible as goods at markets are not labeled…
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Fake tour operators in Panama
6 0How it works: Fraudulent operators will charge you a high price for these tours and then claim to give you a discount if you pay in full upfront. Once you…
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Name engraving souvenir scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Opening: a stall owner claims to or gives you a “free gift” (e.g. a pouch) to get you to his stall, then he asks for your name…
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Unofficial guides in Puerto Rico
6 0How it works: Opening: a friendly local approaches and claims that he can bring you around places not found in guide books. Set-up: he then brings you to a restaurant…
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Medical marijuana card scam in USA
6 0How it works: Opening: at Venice Beach, you may see shops advertising medical marijuana cards for $40. You enter, hand over your ID, fill in some forms and consult a…
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Port Colon security officer scam in Panama
6 0How it works: At the Colon Cruise Port, official port security officers may try to set you up with unofficial tour guides or unlicensed taxis. Places to beware: Colon: Port…
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Las Vegas escort cards scams in USA
6 0How it works: Opening: escort cards are given out on the strip, with each showing a prostitute and a price. Scam 1: the price is meant to mislead. It is…
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Price quote scams in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Quoting a low price first, only to inflate it when it comes to paying claiming an earlier misunderstanding (e.g. wrong currency; low price for a small portion,…
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Familiar face scam in Jamaica
6 0How it works: Situation: for tourists staying at resorts, they usually carry a wrist band from their resort. Opening: scammers are able to identify which resort the band belongs to…
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