5 SNEAKIEST Travel Scams of 2024 (Don’t Fall For These!)

[@ProjectUntethered]

Comment your scam stories below to help other travelers 👇 (I may use them in an upcoming video!) And if you wanna stay connected while traveling to avoid scam and safety issues, here's a discount link for Holafly eSIMs: bit.ly/3vYArrL

[@rhondapelletier3036]

Car rental issue happened to us. When retrning the car,the clerk saw a ding that she claimed wasn't there. Little did she know that we took pictures day of pick up in front of a different clerk and their picture and said nope look the ding was there before us. They would have kept our 300.00 deposit.

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

If that happens to you. The driver taking you out to the desert. You can take picture of driver and call anyone and start talking. And say you just sent location and pic of driver. Don't be afraid to bluff these drivers.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Great tip! Use your phones camera to your advantage!

[@purplerose9041]

I have a habit that 2 days before travel day, I always call or email hotel, whether it’s in a foreign country or in the US, to confirm my hotel reservation. Secondly, I don’t use third party booking agencies for hotel and flights. I don’t care how cheap the price is.

[@strongfoot2009]

We are living in a world full of scammers so we have to be very vigilant and less trusty to protect ourselves. It is extremely weird for some folks to receive a telephone call from a total stranger and then they let him or her enter their computers or their electronic devices and do whatever he or she wants to do. People have to be responsible and use their brains. Most scammers who contact me have a terrible foreign accent which is a red flag right away.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Yeah it’s sad that the scammers force us to trust everyone less, even the people that are just trying to help 😔

[@dontfencemein-rving7439]

When paying in cash to taxi drivers, or restaurants and bars where the servers takes the money out of your sight, take photos of the bills and of the serial numbers. Many times they walk behind a wall and come back out with the same denomination bill and say it’s counterfeit. They give you the counterfeit bill back and then you have to give them another bill. Pro tip- if you withdraw money from an actual bank ATM, there’s no way the bills will be counterfeit. You get counterfeit bills from taxi drivers, and servers. Plus, if an employee of a business mistakenly took a counterfeit bill they will want to get rid of it. An unknowing tourist will be their target.

[@ProjectUntethered]

A lot of commenters have said that they never use credit cards and always use cash to avoid credit card scams. But these cash scams seem equally as frustrating!

[@thomashughes_teh]

Returning a rental car with a full tank? Hold the receipt next to the odometer for a photo. Be sure the date, time, and location on the receipt is readable. The mileage and time stamp will then be the drive from the gas station to the return spot and should also jibe with your return condition photos and video metadata. I go all around every viewable part of the car . Every edge and inside the trunk and under the hood. I usually make 4 passes: Exterior with doors closed, open, trunk, engine and door edges and portal edges, I then place the phone where an adult passengers heart would be and spin it 360 from each seat then one from the center of the cabin. Finish with interior floor/ceiling stills and any missed spots as stills. Beware, wheels are swappable so show them you brought back the ones that did not strike a curb.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Awesome tips! It’s smart to have a system like this!

[@ollikas007]

If we ordered wine in Rome, the waitress asked can she pour out 2 glass of wine and ofcourse we said yes, she seemed so polite and sincere until it was time to look at the bill where it said "pouring out wine 6 eur per glass". So yeah, be careful

[@ProjectUntethered]

whaaaat? that is ridiculous!

[@ollikas007]

Ofcourse riddiculous but still it happened

[@ritastravelchannel]

Great tips..I stopped going out for food because of all the hassle.Initially I wanted to support the community etc...not any more....I only go to supermarkets where I see the price and the product I am getting...when you travel and you are tired and hungry your mental guard is always down so thats how they get you..also 9/10 times I get disappointed so its not worth it for me anymore.😊 9:00

[@ProjectUntethered]

Very true - I do love to try new dishes in different places though!

[@berry1669]

I stopped eating the local cusine and go to McDonald instead, much less problems

[@sirintornstantripop788]

LOVE THIS! Thank you for the great info. Very clear and concise and to the point, safe travels!

[@ProjectUntethered]

I’m glad you found it helpful! 😇

[@maikellourenssen6389]

In India it frequently happens that the Uber-driver doesn't start the ride after you entered the taxi. This means that Uber will register you as a no-show and the taxi will charge you whatever they want to charge you. When starting the dispute with the driver tell the Driver to either accept the ride or cancel the ride so that he pays for his no-show. Out of 8 uber rides they tried this trick on me 3 times.

[@robertdavis3433]

I avoid many scams by paying cash and never going to restaurants. I only eat at my hotel and outside snack bars and grocery stores. Take public transportation. I still do what i want and have a good time. Good video from Sacramento

[@ProjectUntethered]

Thank you! That’s definitely one way to minimize scams, but for us, I’m not sure if avoiding scams is worth missing out on so many experiences!

[@robertdavis3433]

@@ProjectUntethered The worst scammers in the world are in your own neighborhood. The dentist, plumber, lawyers, a/c company, friends and family. Show vulnerability to anyone you meet and see what happens. You shouldn't worry about losing a couple of euros somewhere else when you live here in America. Gives new meaning to the "land of the free and home of the brave". Get your pockets picked in America and you'll throw the money at the airlines just to get you out of town. From Sacramento

[@ProjectUntethered]

@robertdavis3433 it sounds like you might have some stories to share! Feel free to vent!

[@Dutchy695]

Vietnamese taxi driver switched similar colored notes/Dong. So always hold the note/money up and state the denomination clearly before handing over.

[@wanderersinblack]

Thank you for the video & info. As frequently travellers, my partner & I are quite vigilant, especially in restaurants & taxis abroad. Certain cities are also infamous for people selling fake transport tickets outside stations. Safe travels & a big cheers from Melbourne 🍷!

[@travelvideos]

I don't trust those reviews. I have put bad review about bed bugs, but it never showed up. Imagine what a great warning it could be for fellow travelers.

[@ProjectUntethered]

😞😞😞

[@newgabe09]

Based on your recommendation of getting an eSim I've brought one in advance for two countries. In each case, the set up information (APN) provided was incorrect and I had to rely on hotel/aiport internet to get onto their customer service to get the correct info! Not quite as handy as I'd hoped.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Interesting, I’ve never had that happen and I’ve used Holafly in 9 countries so far - which countries was this for? Also if you ever run into problems, their website chat/whatsapp customer service is wayyy faster than all the other eSIMs I tested. You should be able to get help quickly. That said, I will send this information to Holafly so they can make the experience better. I’m sorry you had issues!

[@newgabe09]

@@ProjectUntethered hey nice of you to reply. It wasn't Holafly- it was Airalo eSims for Singapore and Cambodia. Their chat help did respond pretty quickly. (though the problem was the awful/wrong initial set up info from their side.) Both sims did work eventually. I'd only bought a minimum one (a week). In Cambodia I just used it till I got a proper local SIM cos rates are vastly better (60G for a month for $6 and could have phone number, data sharing etc.). If I try an eSIM in future I'll try Holafly.

[@ProjectUntethered]

@newgabe09 ahhh I gotcha! Airalo sometimes has the APN info in the app if you check the eSIM details, but I do remember having to change it a couple times. Hopefully esims go better for you next time around, because they really are super convenient!

[@IvankaB]

Thank you! This was very enlightening! Great channel!

[@ProjectUntethered]

Thanks for the kind words!! 🤗

[@kirstybailey5590]

Happened to me in Egypt but not sure if it was a scam or not . Got a free taxi to an awful hotel which they said was better, it didn't have a water park like the one I booked, Egypt is dodgy anyway so is Turkey.

[@selenadavis1643]

Thank you soooo much for sharing this. I really learned so much about scams and will watch the rest of your videos. New subbie.

[@ProjectUntethered]

I'm honored to have you as a subscriber!! 😇🙌

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

I fly back into Manila and a cab driver took me in his car. Would not turn on the meter and tried to charge me $45 sayng that was the rate. I took a cab to the airport and it was about $4 and only 5 miles from the airport. I offered him $8 he refused. I told him to turn on the meter numerous times. Finally I took out my phone and took his picture and a pic of his license and he quickly told me to get out of the car. There was a cab behind him. I got in the other cab. The new cab driver asked me what happened? I explaned he wanted $45 for a ride from the airport. He started laughing and I ended up paying less than a $ to get back to my condo.

[@kevinquinn1993]

Great story! I also had an experience with an honest cab driver overseas. I withheld payment to make sure he wouldn't run off while I made sure that my party was at home in a somewhat remote spot. Having ascertained that my friends were at home, I went out to pay him, but he was confused and thought I wanted him to take me somewhere else until I explained that I had included extra money for waiting. Still: cab ride, plus tip, plus extra tip for waiting was less than 50% of what you and I would have paid for a taxi ride stateside...

[@ProjectUntethered]

Taking a photo can be very smart and powerful!

[@jacquelinebeharry]

Once Americans start traveling they realize theyve beem lied tO and the REAL SHITHOLE IS THE US OF A

[@antonyr.9617]

I avoided being scammed in Dahab, a beautiful town on the Red Sea, Egypt. They tried to scam me for damages when I returned my snorkelling equipment. Luckily I’d been in Dahab for a few days so I’d heard about the Tourist Police ( who were there to help tourists). So I got really angry at the shop owner and said I’m going to the TP and started walking out of the shop. The shop owner backtracked and said ok ok I don’t have to pay. I think of myself as lucky, if I was another tourist they wouldn’t have known about the TP so would have just paid up.

[@USAIrish11]

You have excellent trip tip. I was charged more for car insurance in Ireland, although I had all ready got the insurance in the states. In France instread of taking a city cab to our hotel, we got pulled into a private company and were probably chaged triple. The driver also to the long way around the city if Paris.

[@CynthiaCCalvitti]

Such great information!! Thank you!! Quick question….. Headed to Europe in 8 weeks for a month. Can you tell me where I can go to learn about the data plans available for someone who wants to have unlimited data, ability to make calls to family and friends whenever and using maps to get where I want to go. I am from the US and have Verizon. The eSIM sounds like my best bet I just need a bit more education please.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Holafly would be most convenient; and you should be able to call:text on your home line if you turn on wifi calling before you leave home. Buying a physical sim on arrival would be cheapest, just less convenient. But for 8 weeks, might be worth it. Main thing is remember to turn on wifi calling on your home line before leaving.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks for sharing! We travel quite a bit and hadn’t heard of a few of these. Especially the Booking one 😬

[@ProjectUntethered]

Yeah that one is extra sneaky one!

[@MidwestComet]

That restaurant scam is just outrageous

[@ProjectUntethered]

The nerve of some people!

[@janiekcarney5482]

I always take pictures of my rental cars before I get in.

[@freeman.7238]

Egypt was the worse ever experience. Never again and do not recommend to others.

[@lauralafferty2330]

How do the scam companies get your information that fast, I am speaking of the cruise ship insurance scam. Is it a security issue with the cruise company, travel agent, etc?

[@ProjectUntethered]

That’s the only explanation I can think of!

[@1zcott]

great stuff

[@DrCrystalHarris]

Great video

[@alonsomoslie8395]

Yeeep that happened to me to in restaurant with the prices, so I try to avoid restaurants in poor countries or see if that restaurant are managed by people from poor countries.

[@MsPeggyCruise411]

Take out insurance because my insurance does not cover me! In Mexico and I’m not sure about how many other foreign countries, authorities confiscate your passport until all hospital bills, expenses and fees are paid!

[@RaschellXuan]

I have an odd question... Can you become a nomad while having a pet? Im nearly 30 and looking at what to do with my life and a furry companion is a must for me

[@ProjectUntethered]

Sure! I believe it’s more complicated, but certainly possible. I would probably recommend staying longer times in each country though because I think crossing international borders can be a process. We had friends who brought their dog to colombia

[@PattiStirk]

eSIMM heads up: I bought a new iPhone 15ProMax in Dec before heading to Australia for fourth months. 1. There is no physical SIMM slot, and 2. Verizon absolutely will not unlock new phone in first 60 days. I appealed, mentioned safety of needing a phone as a solo female traveler, needing maps, and etc - they said under no circumstances, and they NEVER unlock phones in first 60 days. Reading my phone worthless.

[@ms-oe9mr]

This happened to us when we went to the UK. I just bought the cheapest basically disposable phones with a refillable data plan. I took a Garmin and old school paper maps as a back up; so we only needed to be able to text and call on them. We took a small travel laptop that e could use at our airbnb or coffee shops.

[@globoliver9697]

Wouldn't it be nice if more and more tourist destination countries decided to punish scams very severely!?!

[@MiaHessMusic]

Scammers should be well, scammed themselves. I'd say something worse but they are right up there with people who kill elephants and rhinos for their horns. No difference. Great channel.

[@darith770]

Yet you eat other animals 🧐

[@TomekSw]

Be careful to not get caught by selling data subscription KZbin video scam. 😅

[@stanscully9198]

Been To India 6 Times , Love It, No Real Problems. But A Word Of Caution,, Walking Down A Street In Calangute Goa 2019 ?. Needed To Change Euros Into Rupees , Sign On Pavement Said 86 Rupees For One Euro, So Into Shop Handed Over About €200 And The Man Counted Out Rupees For The €200,,, I Was Short Changed And Told Him So… He Said Sorry And Gave Me More Rupees.. One Of His Friends Got Up And Left The Office. And When I Left I Noticed The Sign Now Read 68 Rupees For One Euro , Not 86 Rupees , They Had Rubbed Out The 86 And Wrote 68,, Which Is Why He Left The Office. I Didn’t Go Back In Because They Would Say I Misread The Sign 86 / 68. Still Love India And Sri Lanka. Just Be Careful. 05.April. 2024. Dublin.

[@ProjectUntethered]

Wow that's so annoying! I'll try to include this in a future video to warn people!

[@dimebagg1]

phishing

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Re the cruise insurance do you think that was a coincidence? Seems wild. Or that someone at the cruise company is in on the scam?

[@ProjectUntethered]

The only thing I can think of is that the scammers somehow hacked into the cruises booking system 🤔 same goes for the booking.com scam we almost fell for