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North America
297 scams
Top travel scams in North America
Unofficial guides in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: At national parks, you may encounter touts who offer to bring you around. Some may be good, but what generally transpires is a low quality and/or unsafe…
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Rent-a-Rasta/Rent-a-Dreds in Jamaica
6 0How it works: Situation: there are women who come for casual relationships in exchange for cash and gifts with guys known as “renta dreds” or “renta-rasta”. Set-up: as such, a…
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“Where you got your shoes” scam in USA
6 0How it works: Opening: a tout comes up to you claiming that he knows where you got your shoes. He then answers “on your feet”. Version 1: this is a…
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Sticker lady in Canada
6 0How it works: Otherwise known as Catherine Katie Herbert, the sticker lady is a fixture for decades on Yonge Street. She first compliments your good looks and then offers a…
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Unofficial guides in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Version 1: “helping” to collect your money to pass to the ticket counter and then demanding a tip. Version 2: posing as an official guide at a…
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Watersports rental equipment scam in Mexico
6 0How it works: Rogue water sports operators will accuse you of damaging the equipment (e.g. minor scratches not caused by you) and then demand an inflated repair fee. Places to…
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Italian suit scam in Canada
6 2How it works: Opening: A well-dressed Italian introduces himself as an Italian designer or someone who works for Armani and is here for a trade show. He then asks you…
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Fraudulent tour operators in Guatemala
6 8How it works: Version 1: marketing dirt cheap tours but after payment is collected, they disappear, or give you fake or expired tickets. Version 2: tours which overcharge, over-promise and…
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Fake border crossing agent in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: Version 1: being charged to use a free custom/immigration form. Version 2: someone offers to assist with the immigration process. He tampers with your documents and forces…
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Buena Vista Social Club performance scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Situation: the Buena Vista Social Club (BVSC) was a group of old Cuban musicians playing old fashioned music of pre-revolutionary Cuba which became a hit in the…
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