9 Travel & Tourist Scams and How To Avoid Them

Travel scams have been around as long as there have been tourists, and Nomads and Long Term Travelers can get caught up in them too. The best way to avoid them is know what they are ahead of time so you can recognize what's happening before it is too late. In this video we discuss 9 different travel scams we've experienced over the years as we've traveled the world, and what you can do to avoid them.
But at the end of the day - while it is good to be prepared, don't spend too much effort worrying about this. The benefits of traveling and meeting people all around the world far outweigh these kinds of hassles, and when you do (inevitably?) get scammed, at least it gives you a great story to share!
00:00 - Travel Scams
00:24 - Most Important Tip
01:51 - How Do You Define Free? (Europe)
04:05 - Buy One Get That One (Taxis)
05:17 - Captain Obvious (Egypt)
07:31 - Awkward Baby Shower (Nicaragua)
09:49 - The Helpful Pickpocket
10:45 - It Only Looks Open (Honduras)
13:09 - The Guilty Hot Dog (NYC)
14:10 - The Case of The Curiously Expensive Restaurant (Peru)
15:54 - The Strong Man Distraction (Vietnam)
17:49 - People Are Awesome
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[@tendegreeswarmer]

Have you ever been scammed while traveling? Tell us everything. 😀

[@kylehillman4523]

Saw a “lost ring” scam in Paris right in front of us. Older woman approached a walking couple and asked if they dropped their ring. The couple took it looking bewildered and the woman said “oh well, you keep it” they get about 3 steps away and then she chased them down with her accomplice in tow and says “actually it’s this persons ring that you’ve now taken, give us money or we’ll call police”

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I've heard of this one but never witnessed it. Falls under, never take anything from strangers! I've also heard they will try and sell you the "very valuable" lost ring for a fraction of what it is "worth".

[@joeypatapas8840]

Someone tried that on me last time I was in Paris. They ran away when I broke into angry Quebecois French with the full range of colourful expletives.

[@erinaustin9968]

Love the “closed on Sunday” story! I was scammed in Mexico City by a helpful person cleaning up poop squirted on us. She stole my mini wallet with one credit card and immediately tried to charge $3000. Luckily we had discovered the scam and cancelled the card at the same time. Now I am super careful with my stuff and leave my wallet at home most days and added a leash to my phone. Thanks for offering this info!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I really hope no one ever squirts "poop" on me just to steal something. Sorry that happened to you, but thanks for sharing your experience!

[@dawnturner8735]

P.S. I save most of your videos to over again before I go anywhere. Tips for Travellers and Life Well Cruised also have great content.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I'm glad to hear you enjoy our channel. And thanks for the recommendations, there are a lot of great people on KZbin! 😀

[@PeggyHillman-js2mv]

The Athens bracelet guy almost got me!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I pulled you right away from him. But he was very friendly! lol

[@MrWoody51285]

Great reminders. Thanks for doing this.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@portlandlisa]

Great tips

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thanks for watching! 😀

[@JoseeGill]

Great tips, we had lots of people coming to us in Barcelona, asking if we wanted the bracelet and or ring, we had heard of it so we were careful. But I took a picture of a homeless man and his dog, who the dog was dressed like Santa Claus in Strasbourg, I was going to give him money but just before I did that, I was accosted by a person who said - you took this picture and here is how much it cost, he was a bit intimidating, so I did give him how much he asked, After that, I was very careful with taking pictures.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Yes sometimes the buskers will ask for lots of money for photos, especially after the fact. When we were in St. Petersberg my sister paid to get a photo with a couple dressed up in royal court dress, and our friend tried to get a photo of them (with her) and they chased her away since she wasn't the one who had paid! Only one camera allowed! lol

[@bethsanders6218]

Thank you! I would have been taken every day!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

You're welcome! Scams can be obvious in hindsight once you know what to look for.

[@deborahcasper6120]

When on the Yucatan Peninsula, a darling, shorter than me, if you can believe that, little person walked up to me with a pretty embroidered handkerchief. She handed it to me and the said 25. I was shocked. I thought .25 for this beautiful hanky??? So I gave her .25 and thanked her and walked away. Later that day back at the ship, my brother, a world traveler, asked me how much I paid for the beautiful hanky. I told him .25 was all. I was so happy. He looked at me and told me I cheated the person who sold it to me. He said that when they were saying 25 they meant $25. I was so surprised, but it was an honest mistake. I did feel bad. I would have paid more had I known. It was hand embroidered. So I guess I am the one you have to watch out for. 😮 😅

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I wish I had been there, cause I can't believe they didn't chase you down! 😆😆😆

[@deborahcasper6120]

@@tendegreeswarmer I guess I was lucky. A group of them did surround me, but I thought it was because I bought something and they had more to show me. They were so short. They were Guatemalan. But I did feel bad when Uncle Rod told me I cheated them. I didn't understand. I actually gave then $2. and thought I had really complimented them because all they asked for was .25. Ugh...

[@dawnturner8735]

In New Orleans I was caught by a fella that wanted to sell me a music cd. After I paid for it (he was really pushy and I use a cane) he handed me a card to download a song. 🙄

[@tendegreeswarmer]

The old bait and switch huh? D'oh!

[@ExploreTayo]

We've come across many mothers asking for baby food, but we've never seen the Free t-shirt one. But Wow, "Captain Obvious" is so absurd.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

That's what we thought! 😆