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Top travel scams in South America
Credit card skimming in Ecuador
1 0How it works: Situation: the vast majority of tourists would probably not fall for this but on the off-chance that you do, you need to know how to spot the…
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Credit card skimming in Peru
1 1How it works: Situation: according to the US Bureau of Diplomatic Safety, credit card fraud is common here. Version 1 (ATM): card skimmer installed to capture your card details, pinhole…
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Drug planting in Brazil
1 0How it works: Drugs trafficking is unlikely to affect tourists, though there have been instances of drug planting. If caught by the police who are in cahoots, you will have…
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El Paseo millionaire in Colombia
1 0How it works: Situation: also known as express kidnapping, this is generally perpetrated by unofficial taxis at night or by criminals who target those at ATMs. There have been past…
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Vacation apartment deposit scam in Peru
1 0How it works: Situation: landlords in Lima are infamous for “squeezing” foreign tenants. Opening: like in Argentina, one trick is to require an inflated deposit, with no intention of returning…
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Airport unofficial taxi robbery in Colombia
1 0How it works: When arriving at major airports, tourists have occasionally fallen victim to unofficial taxi drivers who bring them to armed robbers instead of their intended destination. Places…
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Airport driver intercept in Argentina
1 0How it works: Situation: a customs officer notes down your passport (e.g. name) and accommodation details and transmit this to a driver outside. Opening: the driver then writes your name…
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Flat tire scam in Chile
0 0How it works: Opening: while away from your car, there are scammers who will let the air out of your tire. When you return, the scammer pointsout the flat tire…
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Express kidnapping in Brazil
0 0How it works: This is rare and unlikely to happen to you. Further, locals, rather than tourists tend to be the ones targeted. However, it always pays to be careful….
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