Expert reveals how to avoid scammers and protect yourself from getting swindled
https://pixabay.com/photos/
Most tourists live in fear of being scammed or pickpocketed on holiday. But how do you protect yourself from these con artists? With one simple step: be prepared.
Expert traveler James Smith from Learn Spanish with James discusses four common scams that are making the rounds in Europe - and how you can avoid them.
Avoid People Who Approach You On The Street
Big European tourist locations like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona are full of people on the street who are asking for money, promoting clubs, trying to put bracelets on you, and even pretending to be friendly tourists. ‘The best way to not get sucked into street scams is to, in all honesty, be a little rude,’ admits James. ‘If you ignore them long enough or say no very sternly, they won’t waste their time on you.’ These scammers prey on happy-go-lucky tourists who are just excited to be there and aren’t on high alert.
Do Not Get Into Unmarked Taxis
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but especially with the advent of apps like Uber, ride-share cars don’t all look like taxis anymore. If you arrive at the airport without a transportation plan you’ll be a target for these ‘fake taxi’ scams.
These scams are cropping up a lot around Eastern European countries like Poland, where there are a lot of unregistered drivers who try to pick up tourists from the airport with false claims about broken meters. Once they get you in their car, they will avoid questions about the price until you get to your destination where they will charge you an exorbitant price for the journey.
James advises, ‘To avoid this kind of scam, use local and reliable rideshare apps where you can verify your driver by name and license plate number, or hire a private taxi beforehand.’
Exchange Your Money Ahead Of Time
One scam spreading around Europe right now is currency exchange businesses overcharging tourists who want to change their money to the local currency. Storefronts on busy city streets lure in foreigners with signs that indicate that they can exchange your money for the local currency at the lowest rate. In reality, they hike up the fees so that they can make a huge profit.
This kind of scam usually tricks tourists who don’t realize that they can exchange their money beforehand and save a lot of time, effort, and money. ‘One tip I have for travelers to Europe is to exchange their currency in their home bank before they ever set foot in their destination country. If you belong to a bank, it will likely have no fees for currency exchange, so you will save a lot of money,’ encourages James.
If your bank does not provide this service, your next best option is to go to a currency exchange in your local town - you can often find these in large supermarkets. They will have fees, but they will be lower than any establishments you will find on the streets of Europe.
Don’t Stop to Watch Street Performers
Stopping to take a peek at street performers leaves you vulnerable to pickpocketers. ‘Some street performers even do this on purpose to distract tourists while their partners sneak around the crowd with sticky fingers,’ says James. A good rule of thumb is that if you see a crowd of tourists accumulating, steer clear.
https://pixabay.com/photos/
Do Your Research Beforehand
Doing research and understanding local customs beforehand can help save you from some scams. For example, if you research the top scams in the country you will be visiting, then you will know what to look out for. ‘Researching things beforehand will also help you to feel less lost once you arrive at your destination,’ encourages James. ‘It helps you to blend in better to your surroundings and look less like a tourist.’
ENDS
If you choose to use this content, could you please include a mention of the Learn Spanish with James website, (https://
About Learn Spanish with James:
"Learn Spanish with James" is a go-to online hub for mastering Spanish led by James Smith, a fluent Spanish speaker with over 10 years of teaching experience. With a rich background of living in Spain, Argentina, and Costa Rica, James brings a wealth of cultural experiences and linguistic immersion to his teaching approach.
The platform offers diverse courses for all levels, with personalized tutoring and access to free materials, podcasts, and e-books. With immersive activities and authentic content, it's perfect for anyone aiming for Spanish fluency.
Post courtesy of https://learnspanishwithjames.
No comments:
Post a Comment