Common Tourist Scams in the USA

Heading to the US and wondering if you need to worry about scam artists, pickpockets or other nefarious things that might happen to tourists? Well here we go through some of scams you might see when you visit the US. In general the US does not have a lot of tourist scams, but it is always good to have a heads up just in case. So whether it is a taxi scam, a hotel scam, or just someone tricking you out of your hard earned cash this video could help.
Filmed in New Mexico
Copyright Mark Wolters 2020
#travelscams #travel #ripoffs
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[@RichardMKruse]

The basic rule is to never participate in any transaction or activity that you did not initiate.

[@emilyk9124]

One time, my grandma got the “Your grandson is in jail” call that was hitting the old people a while ago and she told them, “Good, let him rot there.” She said the person on the other end was speechless.

[@stevenh8174]

I got "your son is in jail" , I don't have children !

[@OkieLou67]

😂

[@steve41557]

Great answer!

[@cs296]

Smartass granny😂

[@ErinS06]

Recently I got the "This is the FBI, we've suspended your social security number" call. I replied in German by saying "Halt die Klappe", and they instantly hung up

[@bananatube6004]

"Your car insurance" - I don't have a car "Your student loans" - I was on scholarship "Your home payment" - Hahaha, you think I could ever afford a house???

[@m.w.6526]

😂😂 so true

[@robertcraft1030]

Just show them your bank statement. They will spread the word and no one will call you again.

[@elizabethsmith3374]

I one time told a scam robo car insurance caller that I was Amish so I don't have a car and they hung up

[@cgmason7568]

"From our companies jobs department" - in the military

[@bobdobbs7828]

Maybe you should have used your scholarship to get a useful degree?

[@se9865]

It's not a scam, but since you showed a picture of the space needle, I'll just say, don't eat at the restaurant at the top. The food is garbage, and way over priced.

[@kakumee]

Reminds me of that ball thing like that in Dallas Texas....I guess they had a restaurant at one too...

[@smutjunkies559]

You're paying for the experience and the view too.

[@devincrighton4376]

The Stratosphere in Vegas is the same too. Terrible food, very expensive.

[@JoeCensored]

Space Needle restaurant is expensive, but a lot of fun. It is fun seeing other tourists put messages on the wall as it goes around, and it has quite a view. Not a scam, but don't expect a cheap meal. Expect to spend $80+ for 2, for unexceptional food you'd get for half at any regular restaurant, and you won't be disappointed. You're paying for the rotating restaurant experience and the view mostly.

[@charliehicks5676]

Isn't every thing in Seattle a scam!

[@ML-rk2cx]

"In general the US does not have a lot of tourist scams" Goes on for 15 minutes

[@wolololer]

because those scams are not only tourists scams, those are scams for americans too

[@nathancancel]

M L I mean he could do a 4 hour special on Italy if we wanna compare

[@yummychips_]

in comparison, it is very true. Scamming is highly punishable. A lot of foreign countries let it go, ignore it, or even cover it up. America will throw them in prison. That is why you see a lot less scammers in American Tourism than other countries. Also a lot of tourist spots have strong economic environments, and those rich prudes don't like scammers sitting around.

[@elebeere]

Because they mostly happen more often in other places I guess

[@dembenguema6919]

Do you ever was in europe?

[@barrybambmessagedeletedbyy7467]

Olive Garden Endless Pasta is a scam.

[@FamilyonStandby]

That's more than a scam. It's an atrocity.

[@peterpain6625]

@@FamilyonStandby Don't see what people see in those chain atrocities either. There are so many awesome mom-n-pop restaurants in the usa. Why on earth would one go to "olice garden" of all places and eat plastic cheese on limb-noodle-pseudo-pasta? Or even those other travesties...

[@dance4life1208]

As well as red lobster endless shrimp

[@FamilyonStandby]

dance4life1208 🤮🤢🤮🤢

[@FamilyonStandby]

Peter Pain Local is where it’s at! Our fav restaurant is a place in Rome where the owner got us change out of her purse 😂

[@freshface2991]

"You won a free vacation!"Yeah, it's called watching Wolters World.

[@woltersworld]

There you go 🙃

[@bananatube6004]

One time, I actually did win a legit free vacation to Germany. But I applied to get it

[@whyareyoureadingthisgrace95]

@@bananatube6004 WHAT that’s so cool but I could never take the ridk Edit:risk*

[@riseuplight]

Hilton Grand Vacations

[@ntatenarin]

Ah, man! I thought I really won a free vacation and I was going to give you my credit card numbers and complete personal information. Hopefully I win a free vacation soon!

[@shanidar]

Just wanted to mention that the Police in NOLA are extremely protective of tourists and very aggressive against criminals. A friend saw a purse snatched and before he could get to the corner of the next block, he had seven cops holding him down. Tourism is huge in New Orleans, and the police aim to make it very safe for tourists.

[@jcsimmons1035]

@John Volken i live in south mississippi and ive gone to new orleans my whole for many different reasons. Im 50 yrs and never had a problem from the tourist world to the street world. I do carry myself in a respectful and cautious manner because im a guest. Maybe i have angles watching ion know.

[@losriosprofundos2113]

Admittedly it was many years ago, but my friends and I were robbed at gunpoint in New Orleans. We saw an officer shortly after who was annoyed that we wanted to report it.

[@vernwallen4246]

If you like the smell of vomit and stale beer you'll love the french quarter.😜😜

[@cgmason7568]

Ahhh, Fleet Week

[@whomidity3953]

Jesus I wouldn't be surprised if they had 3 snipers ready to fire on the guy

[@rotitelor]

The “homeless” lady who begged for handouts in front of our local supermarket got busted by our state and the federal government for not declaring $80,000 income.

[@jacob98]

Wtf imma become a beggar

[@sm3675]

They make more money than us.

[@lydiaa6845]

Yes, 1 person definitely represents the whole population. How do you track how much cash someone was given ...

[@ThorASic]

@@lydiaa6845 _How do you track how much cash someone was given..._ By what they spend.

[@tifforo1]

If her shoes don't look like she spends all day walking around getting everywhere in them, she probably isn't homeless.

[@EscCro84]

Once in Rome: "hey you got bird poop on your shoulder" Me: "yup, just the way I like it"

[@Bunnyshai]

XD love this

[@tildasolberg5737]

Well my sister did get bird poop on her shoulder in Rome. I assure you, she felt it

[@Dipp182]

What is that one? Went to Rome and did not get that one...thankfully

[@jeffc1347]

I was at a gas station in Louisville and a guy riding a bicycle asked me for gas money.

[@ZhangtheGreat]

Gas powered bikes: they work like regular bikes, but they have gas!

[@buffymcmuffin5361]

He's planning for the future when he buys a car.

[@cj7688]

@@buffymcmuffin5361 HaHaHaHaHaHa

[@leswhynin913]

Futures trading

[@FilK79]

Maybe his car really run out of gas and stopped, and he borrowed a bike to get to the nearest petrol station to try to get gas?

[@katieochs7870]

I live in the US and I was prepared to laugh at this video... instead it just reminded me how much we get scammed on the daily! All of these are SO true

[@JeanChordeiles]

Skimming : Hiding your hand (from a mini cam) while typing your password is not longer enough as there can be a fake keypad that will record it. Always check first if the card slot AND the numeric keypad are firmly attached. If anything looks suspicious, just leave and call the police. Also, a cashier should never take your credit card out of sight (behind the counter for instance).

[@dance4life1208]

Yup my dad got got at a restaurant once , because the waitress took the card to the back

[@sweetpjeb23]

NightHawk not necessarily true. In some stores they still swipe it behind the counter on the keyboards and you can’t really see it because the register is in the way.

[@JeanChordeiles]

@@sweetpjeb23 : Necessarily true: better be safe than sorry. There are also ill-intentionned people who swipe rapidly the card through a skimming device. Therefore, you should always be able to see your card. Don't be ashamed of it. In jewellery , when you sell a gem and it has to be looked at, the rule is that it must not be hidden from you at any moment (because it could easily be replaced by a similar gem).

[@xxxellbrownoxxx]

NightHawk there’s lots of scams in America

[@JeanChordeiles]

@@xxxellbrownoxxx :There are a lot of scams all over the world, I reckon.

[@danielfortier2629]

We get those calls from the FBI here in Canada too! As IF the FBI has ANY power in Canada! I wish politicians would form laws against this kind of thing!

[@woltersworld]

Agree

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Yes but Mr Justin approved , for U.S. Customs Agents to be able to arrest you and are allowed to carry guns in Canada at Canadian Airports . The news has been kept under the radar.

[@DieJungsvomDSC]

@@Jay-vr9ir Really?

[@Jay-vr9ir]

@@DieJungsvomDSC Yes so true .The pro gun U.S. Customs Agents , were upset that they could not , have guns in Canada and where also upset that Canadians would walk away if they did not care for The U.S. Customs agent's line of questioning . You would think anti U.S. And anti gun Liberals would have not allowed it .

[@80sGamerLady]

Me too. I had to change my VM to an extremely long, obnoxious waiting hold music with a man that cuts in and says, "sorry you have wait, your BS is not important to us..." and many other funny remarks, and then around 5-6 minutes it's a busy tone. I'm tired of all the Robocalls, political, car warranties, FBI and international Nigerian Prince scams. No VMs since because they are not smart enough to hit a number to skip the VM and leave a message.

[@rotitelor]

Be careful asking your hotel receptionist to call you a taxi. The receptionist at the hotel I was staying in Newark , NJ called her boyfriend who claimed to be a taxi driver and quoted us an outrageous charge to go to the airport. We ended up calling a licensed cab ourselves.

[@Frank71]

That's a common one in 1st world nations. The front desk/concierge significant other scam. Sometimes it was not rip off, just they kept the fare the same as a cab, but for them it was pure profit.

[@BrendanExplores]

Last time I had a scam call they asked if I've recently been in a car accident... I said yes and they genuinely didn't know what to say 😂

[@woltersworld]

Boom

[@blake9908]

Never say "yes" to a scammer on the phone. That can be used to assist them in stealing your identity.

[@BrendanExplores]

@@blake9908 fair point 👍

[@BrendanExplores]

@@woltersworld 😅

[@peterpain6625]

@@blake9908 Always use a whole sentence without any affirming words :)

[@PassportKings]

Wow this is my first time hearing about the hotel front desk call scam. Thanks for sharing this. Ill be a lot more careful now.

[@woltersworld]

Glad we can help

[@Vanilla0729]

My favorite response, "I don't carry cash." It's funny cause its true!

[@cj7688]

or, yes i have lots...

[@Dipp182]

In the future. Hey give you venmo! Zelle me some money...

[@pulsehead]

The atm pin thing, since most people are right handed, scammers will position cameras accordingly, so a good trick is to type in your PIN left handed to further block cameras.

[@msnln7]

Another scam to look out for at public transportation hub is someone dressed nicely with a suitcase will walk up and say they are on their way back home from a conference/business trip but they just got pick pocketed. They will ask if you can give them $x for their ticket back and they promise they will mail the money back when they reach home. If this happens, tell them you will find a police so police can help. If you give them the money, you got scammed, and they also have your home address.

[@woltersworld]

Good one

[@CODMarioWarfare]

What the hell are they gonna do with your home address? And what the hell would the police be able to do for them?

@@CODMarioWarfare since they're scammers, they will not want the police around.

[@buffymcmuffin5361]

@@CODMarioWarfare They know you're on vacation, so they'll contact their criminal friends to rob your house.

[@TheUser808]

I feel like most Americans would laugh and walk away.

[@sineamhac]

The photo scam happened to my Mom and Dad in LA. Was taking a photo and a dude dressed as Darth Vader hopped in the back as a photo bomb. They all laughed until the guy wanted $50 for the photos. He got very aggressive and threatened to get the cops involved if he didn't pay. They just deleted the photo and told him to piss off. Don't think he expected a Conamara man's directness somehow. 😂

[@ErinS06]

I've been to New York quite a few times, and one thing I remember being told by my grandma was to never talk to cookie monster or spider man, and she then explained the whole photo scam to 8 year old me.

[@Steven-xs8ie]

Bring back memories of past vacations, and suddenly I'm content staying home this winter instead of dealing with these anxiety inducing situations.

[@fortheloveofgrey6045]

These scams happen to everyone not just tourists! 😂

[@bishop51807]

r/woooosh, These are scams that americans are aware of that incoming tourist need to be aware of to. Unless your comment is a scam for trolling.

[@fortheloveofgrey6045]

bishop51807 Troll? Definitely not. I understand the point of the video. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’ve explained this many times to my international family and friends.

[@jacksonanderson5288]

ForTheLoveOfGrey Don’t worry about that “woosh douche” You are right, the video is called tourist scams and your comment made sense. And I am also a big fan of Wolters World so it’s not a knock on the video either. Sometimes idiots like to speak up to “prove” how smart they are. He proved it, we all understand him now.

[@boop6169]

DefiniteIy. I ride the train a Iot and twice I’ve had peopIe ask me for money for food. ( I expect it i don’t Iook my age and I’m aIone which are prey for many of these scams) Both times I said I don’t have cash but I’m hungry too if you want McDonald’s? One went with me got his food. AII good. The other asked for me to order for them and they’d stay behind. I didn’t order anything. Shocker they were gone when I took a gIance back.

[@zapiekanka161]

@@bishop51807 r/ihavereddit

[@Valbruch]

Some sob stories can actually be quite entertaining. One day while waiting for a bus I was approached by a beggar spinning me a tale about his nightmare divorce, estranged kids and general fall from grace. He was going on for like almost 5 minutes (I knew what was going on the whole time since I was using that station for years). But he was such a good storyteller that in the end I gave him some money - not for his fabled lawer who was doing his wife during the divorce - but as a reward for an entertainment he provided me with while waiting.

[@gatblau1]

The “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes” scammers in New Orleans are hard core. The last time I was there one of them wouldn’t leave me alone. I knew the scam and kept telling him no, and he would walk away then come back and ask me the same question, but each time his voice was more threatening and he would glare at me. After about the fourth time I had to get away from the area since it was obviously escalating. There was this “deaf” guy who gave me a card and wanted money on a the bridge in Austin, Texas. When I refused he got all animated and started cussing me out. I thought he was going to attack me for a second there. At first I was pretty shaken and walked away, but after a minute I got angry myself at the shit he pulled and went back and almost got into a fight with him. I don’t know if that was part of the scam, maybe claim I attacked him unprovoked or something. Luckily I didn’t actually get into a fight with him in the end. I got the “I’ll watch your car and make sure nothing happens to it” scam in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@jessgonzalez9151]

Another scam that I've encountered is someone super friendly comes up to you and offer you a friendship bracelet. Then they ask for money and show you a notebook where people donated like $20.

[@DougVanDorn]

FYI, in Chicago near the train station (this was about 25 years ago), I was approached by two women who appeared affluent. They said they needed $5 for a train back to the suburbs, they had lost their cash and had no cards with them. I told them (truthfully, but to try and get rid of them) that I only had a $20 bill on me, at which point one of the women piped up with "Oh, that'll work, I have change." The other woman looked at her like "Talking before you think again, huh?" I just looked at them, shook my head and walked away. Laughing at the idiots.

[@fortheloveofgrey6045]

For the past ten years I’ve seen the same “homeless” guy asking for money with the same story to get to another city that’s four hours away. He could have walked to that other city by now. He says nasty stuff if you say no too so I’ve been ignoring him for years. And many times I’ve offered to buy food or gas for someone asking and nine times out of ten they say no and walk away. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@tncorgi92]

There are always people in the local Walmart parking lot doing this. Some can get quite aggressive.

[@buffymcmuffin5361]

On rare occasions I'll give them food if I have some - they can't buy drugs with that.

[@trainsplanesandotherthings5187]

Funny, I was at mall parking lot a guy came to my car window said he needed some money to buy a bus ticket home so I give him a $1.00 to go away. A week later the same guy comes up to me and says the same thing. I laughed at him and said It's been a week and you still haven't bought your bus ticket home yet?

[@lydiaa6845]

So, someone needs money. It’s ridiculously hard to get of homelessness. My gif, you think you know 1 persons story so let’s demonize them whole population of struggling neighbors

[@buffymcmuffin5361]

@@lydiaa6845 You'd agree we shouldn't enable folks by giving them money for liquor & cigarettes?

[@Dankman9]

You got those shoes on your feet!

[@cj7688]

... your comment went right over my head the first time i saw it!

[@alyssachey8417]

Cash scam that I have encountered is the cashier saying you didn’t give enough. Happens when I used 10s 20s and 50s. Cashier said I gave a different amount then I know I had. Told them to give me the original bills back...

[@woltersworld]

Oh yes. That one for sure

[@persephone3892]

This or they dont give you back enough change when you use big bills. Like you give a twenty for a few dollar order and they'll give back 5 ones. (If you ever get 1s instead of 5s etc theyre probably not giving enough change. Theyre just making it look like a bunch of bills. Always count before you give money and after getting change in front of the cashier, especially at fast food places. That way theres a camera on you.) On the plus side, when you catch em, theyll immediately give back your money and treat it like a "mistake"

[@rikkidgermano9640]

@@persephone3892 Happened to me last week in Germany at a supermarket. I gave 23 Euros and the cashier insisted I only gave her 8 Euros. I stood my ground, remained calm and she did not even say sorry for her mistake. Since then I always tell them loud and clear how much I give them so people around me hear me loud and clear in case something like this happens again.

[@lauraberg6272]

I was so afraid of customers doing the opposite to me saying, "I gave you a (larger amount) where's the rest of the change." At that point I'm not supposed to open my drawer again. We only have a limited amount of opens before we get flagged by our system and higher ups get suspicious. At least where I worked as a cashier in a grocery store. I was so paranoid about giving people the exact change, and also not taking forever. People let you know if you're "too slow" in their eyes.

[@peterpain6625]

@@rikkidgermano9640 If it's a chain they're instructed to say the amount you gave. If they don't tell them too. Edeka, Rewe, Penny, Aldi, Lidl and Rossmann among others do.

[@mats7492]

If the taxi meter is zeroed out, I would just walk away.... you can claim that you’ve already paid him....

[@ivarnordlkken8082]

Will that work? The driver will not follow you?

[@steveurbach3093]

@@ivarnordlkken8082 It might. Because he can't call the cops for fare evasion! No fare showing when they get there.

[@sminthian]

I've seen a new one lately where they ask for the time. You give them the time, and they just ignore it, and then move on to bug you about other things. Asking for the time was just to feel you out if you'll work with them.

[@steve41557]

Yes, they're looking for agreeable people.

[@badgerpa9]

In Florida years ago a young lady wanted $20 because her keys were locked in her car and the locksmith would not open the car unless she paid him upfront, when I balked she said her dog was in the car and it was hot out. I told her as soon as I was done pumping gas I would drive over and open it for her and I would report the locksmith to the police for not opening a vehicle that had an animal in it. She just looked at me for a moment then walked off pissed at me. I watched her and she walked over to a vehicle that had the window rolled down. Sad I had my hammer in the trunk would have been happy to open a window with an animal in the vehicle. She was looking for out of state plates to get tourists.

[@stephanieledogar4471]

I would have said to her as soon as I'm done here I'll come over to your car with a large rock and we'll get your dog out..

[@badgerpa9]

@John Volken I consider anyone that would live by stealing from other people as having a mental defect. I have had more than one scammer try me when on vacation, I do care about people but dislike the mental defect "professional victims" have.

[@DrScarxx]

When in New York, near times square, those guys who give you those cds for 'free'... Then ask for a 'donation'. Then get aggressive if you reject them. Such a pain and spoil the experience.

[@Taffer9876]

I a person is out there playing a guitar or something like that and they are doing it very well, I am more than happy to help out. They are at least working or making an effort for help.

[@marcielston3019]

I almost always tip buskers.

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

The difference is that street musicians aren't usually going up to you pestering you for money, unlike scam artists. The ones I've seen, at least, usually just have some type of container (hat, basket, instrument case, whatever) set out and whoever wants to can put money in there (I personally haven't seen ones that "pass the hat" at the end of a song/piece, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there).

@@SnowySpiritRuby hell yeah brother

[@lydiaa6845]

Yes people who are standing on their feet all day who don’t even have money for an instrument are not worthy of your money. Studies have even shown how helpful giving money to people experiencing homelessness are, with a very high percentage going to necessary goods. Like just care about your neighbors and give a few dollars. If you can’t do that, at least vote for people who support affordable housing and public transportation

[@Taffer9876]

@@lydiaa6845 I drove a city bus for 9 years. I rarely turned anybody down for a ride. I enjoyed taking the homeless to the soup kitchen every day. I also get the freeway ramp people coming out of taverns and stumbling on the bus. Many work in shifts. They made more money than I did tax free. I go by 20 or 30 of these people every day. So a couple bucks each and I will need a second job. The problem is you just do not know who the scammers are. I never once had a homeless person going to the soup kitchen as me for anything. They were the nicest people I transported. They never complained and were always friendly and courteous.

[@aplam94]

In Canada we get robo call saying “ you own money to the federal Tax system. If it’s not pay you will be held in a federal court of law.” I get those calls 6-7 times a day every few weeks.

[@Bob-jm8kl]

I get CRA scams in the US. I've messed with them a couple times. When they ask for my SIN I say I don't know what that is I have an SSN.

[@evilload]

@@Bob-jm8kl Got the Social Security scam a month or two ago. I guess my number is linked to $2.1 million in illegal drug smuggling. Googled a fake SSN number and gave it to them. They were nice enough to want me to withdraw all my money in Walmart Money Cards so they can keep it safe for me until the investigation is over. Googled fake VISA numbers, expiration dates and CCV (yes, there is actually a web site that has some great examples). They called numerous times to make sure the card numbers were correct. I haven't heard back from them in quite some time 😢.

[@johnschwindt3049]

Why would you even stop and talk to these scam artists? Just keep walking

[@stephanieledogar4471]

This ^^^

[@buffymcmuffin5361]

Some people think it's the polite thing to do. The first time I was in New York City, seemed I was accosted a lot - My Aunt warned me "no matter what they say, in the end they'll ask for money"

[@Belenor]

"Buy my mixtape"

[@Bob-jm8kl]

But bruh...that tape's banging.

[@trapmuzik6708]

I just avoid them

[@UltronDCUO]

Jamaican music from Venice beach

[@ItsBrendo]

Can I borrow a feeling

[@Dipp182]

What's your MySpace?

[@SamuelTClark-sr8bo]

Great video Mark , thanks for all of the value !!!

[@violinforever]

I got scammed in Boston by two cabbies on two separate occasions: the first coming from Logan into the city, the cabby wanted an additional $10 supposedly for the tunnel fair eventhough it is automatically added to the meter. The other time the cabby "Long-Hauled" us by taking us through downtown streets on a Saturday morning, stopping at every red light possible instead of taking the highway. After these incidents I only take ride shares when in Boston or public transit (except the green line).

[@runarandersen878]

About airport taxi: It is often cheaper to order it in advance. Then you can compare prices, check reviews and agree on a price. You also get to feel important when there is a guy with your name on waiting for you.

[@rmknicks]

I user Uber (or the local equivalent) all over the world. You know the cost before you even get in the car.

[@Juliaa__T]

I just automatically assume the name scam.."I bet I know your name" is a lame pick up line lol

[@50statestraveler]

Thank you for these tips! A helpful reminder to always travel with caution.

[@scottmartin6955]

Cheers mark some good information here .Happy New year to you and the family

[@firepower7654]

The best advice I ever got when dealing with people that come up to you in public when traveling is to not engage at all. Don't tell them you don't speak the language, don't make eye contact, don't stop walking and just continue on like they don't exist. Stare straight ahead and keep moving. No matter what they say or are trying to sell or questions they ask or motions they make...keep moving forward, looking straight ahead, don't say a word...they don't exist. They will just move onto the next person. I've walked straight through groups of gypsies in Paris and Spain and had no problems. Keep moving.

[@LoveProWrestling]

I find overt hostility also works.

[@bencarter8423]

I did this in Fort Wayne, Indiana one time. I was at a gas station near my parent's house, and a lady came up to my window, (I was in a car). I knew she was asking for money. I ignored her, and put the car In drive. When I started to drive away, she walked in front of my car trying to get my attention. I slammed on the brakes to not hit her, put the car in reverse, drove to the other side of the gas station backwards, turned around, and drove away. These scammers are persistent, even when it could get them badly hurt, or killed. They don't care.

[@DomB413]

Forgot about the fake monks who put a bracelet on your wrist. I had one do that to me in NYC. I refused to pay and he pulled it off my wrist. Also need to add the "buy my CD/newspaper" hustlers who will hand you the item, not take it back, and want money

[@fsruiz64]

DomB413 I’ve seen that one on the Vegas strip

[@greenfreak428]

Same thing happened to me in DC and Chicago

[@80sGamerLady]

Yeah, in DC, homeless will try to give you a Smithsonian guide. The same free guide you can get in any museum. 😂 Just buy a back of ciggs and a few books of matches and offer them one and they leave you alone. ~ Born and Raised Washingtonian

[@Amghannam]

Same thing happened to me in Athens. He said it ws for friendship, free, so I'm like thx buddy and ready to walk away. I also refused topay and he took it back lol.

[@WDH59510]

I've heard about the rappers on Times Square who try to sell you a 'CD' of their music which in reality is blank. And the people selling 'tickets' for the Staten Island Ferry (which is free).

[@JustPlainRob]

I heard about the "where you got your shoes" scam decades ago when I was a little kid. I finally saw someone actually try it in 2019 as I walked by and they were telling someone "You got those shoes... on your feet, on Bourbon St, in New Orleans, Louisiana" and I just busted up laughing.

[@DarkLouie76]

Mark, I like the videos because as a longtime traveler all the pictures you post I have been to those places! Good memories! The road goes on forever, and the party never ends!

[@runarandersen878]

I have been a victim of skimming. I therefore agree it is important to hide your code when typing code on the ATM. I had been on a trip to London and Berlin. Just after I got home (to Norway) my bank called me in the morning: “Are you in New York?” No... They had detected a suspicious withdraw in Queens, New York of about $1200! Even if I had my creditcard in my pocket in Northern Norway. Luckily I got everything back, but it was a bit stressful. I probably could have avoided it if I had hid my pin code when typing it.

[@3seven5seven1nine9]

Europe's such a safe place too! Imagine traveling somewhere less safe, the damage that could've been done

[@gillscramble]

About using wifi: Making sure to connect to the correct wifi is important, but.... Whatever you use on your phone, make sure it is encrypted. If you go to your webmail, bank, or any site => use httpS. If you set up mail via smtp, pop, imap => use encryption. If you cannot do that, do not use it on wifi, not even on known wifi. Someone working on the hotels IT may steal your data. Or the internet provider used by the hotel, .... If your your app/website does not have encryption, find a trustworthy vpn provider. And always do that, not just in hotels. Even at home => use encryption. Note: they still know if you use gmail, hotmail, or whatever. But your password and content will be save.

[@solano8909]

Love your videos!! Would love for you to do top things to do in New Mexico

[@need4gears]

Hello man! I've started to watch your videos and thank you for all the valuable pieces of advice. I'm brazilian so here we have to learn how to "survive in the urban jungle". *Some important tip when taking a taxi:* ONLY PAY for the ride after you've taken all of the luggages out of the trunk. If you pay him while inside the car, there are scammers who just will go away with all the luggages at the moment you get out of the car.

[@ChainringTours]

Man, that "where you got your shoes" scam. I remember that scam from when I was like 8 over 30 years ago when walking in downtown New Orleans. My dad was like, no thanks to the guy and little 8 year old brain of mine was like "He doesn't know where you got your shoes!". Can't believe that scam is still happening. At least it wasn't the usual 'scam' of "I've got a gun, give your stuff" that usually happened in New Orleans back in the 80's growing up there.

[@Hundredakerwood439]

Really useful information, thanks

[@woltersworld]

Thank you!

[@Hundredakerwood439]

Any chance of doing a special video on Amtrak travel. I am doing 5 long journeys on amtrak in the autumn and would love to get the lowdown on "surviving" them. 👍

[@woltersworld]

@@Hundredakerwood439 it's already filmed :)

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Good summary. We see scams everywhere we travel, in the US and abroad. Really gotta be paying attention, depending on where you are!

[@TripHacksDC]

Not everyone is as honest as Honest Abe 😂😂 Thanks for the shoutout in this one!

[@3seven5seven1nine9]

I didn't even know the shell thing happened outside cartoons

[@foof811]

Simplicio seen it in Vegas

[@nolanhartman9046]

I recently got a call about getting credit card forgiveness. When I told them I don’t have a credit card the dude sat in silence for thirty seconds before hanging up

[@matthewcandler4179]

I thought this video was going to be one off things that only happen at tourist site. I have experienced almost everyone of these. Great Video explaining the dynamic.

[@aaronhallow1422]

This video sounds like an honest add for my home town. I can vouch and say I've seen these scams more then once in my life.

[@Mrich775]

Beautiful spot in New Mexico, I'll be out scuba diving the blue hole in Santa Rosa New Mexico soon, definitely swing by if you can check it out.

[@HilltreesHarmony]

Just a small thing I need to bring up about the beggars asking for money and you offering them food and them declining it. In a lot of cities, there are food banks where homeless people can pretty easily get food relatively consistently. So just cuz they say they don't want food doesn't necessarily mean they're scammers. Now obviously yes, there are some fake beggars doing that to scam you but please don't inherently think that because they reject food means they're scamming you. Just be careful and be aware.

[@cs296]

Happy New Year Some scams are just the same around the world. But still good to be reminded every now and then. Thanks!

[@daveogarf]

Extremely informative! Thanks.

[@fromthecatskillstotheworld6470]

Quite often at the end of their “shift” you will see a homeless/beggar hand over their sad cardboard sign to the next person working that spot. It makes me wonder how organized these scams and the people who participate go.

[@AminoWellness]

A lot of those scams happen in Canadian cities too. Especially the robo calls. We get those so often.

[@woltersworld]

They are so annoying

[@mrpawka]

This video is so good...I must share it!!

[@jbmiller3280]

Helpful tips, but aside from the ubiquitous panhandlers in larger cities, I really have not seen these issues in my 55+ years in the US.

[@d.b.1176]

I’d love to see Mickey at Disney World shaking down guest for money after they took a picture.

[@BlissfulMartini]

Usually these days the place you’re staying at will have a pamphlet or paper in your room with the WiFi information on it. You can also get that from the front desk. Another scam call that I’ve gotten is from the “Social Security Department”. I almost fell for it! The SSD will never call you!

[@Bob-jm8kl]

Is that the one where they found your rented Toyota Corolla near the Mexican border with 22 lbs of cocaine and blood residue? I got that once, asked them for the coke back, and told them to never mind about the blood. They were gobsmacked.

[@Dawn65Zumba]

Duluth! MN lady here - thanks for pics of our great North Shore!!

[@lisaanderson2900]

Great video with fantstic hints!

[@woltersworld]

Thank you Lisa

[@donc2446]

I live in the US. I've never heard of most of this. The scam calls, yes.

[@DrVVVinK]

You must not live in a city.

[@alphafort]

Hey Professor! i never figured out how u zip all round the world so quick. The logistics gotta be mind boggling!

[@woltersworld]

I film a lot of videos in lots of destinations

[@jocelynwolters293]

Davis Produce, Savannah, Ga! That made me smile.💛

[@Vivacior]

Brilliant...! Not necessarily a tourist scam... But it happens... At a gas station...."Hey can you help my family with a few $ so we can make it home?" At a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse...."My family is homeless, out there in the car (no general direction) and needs some help"...we don't need food...but gas money

[@pca1987]

Hey, mate. Keep up the good work. Where are you going next?

[@woltersworld]

In new Orleans now. Next stop el salvador

[@pca1987]

@@woltersworld Very cool. I want to take my dad to New Orleans one day. He really wants to go there. He's into blues and stuff, so Louisiana has always been on his radar.We're Brazilian, by the way. Last year I was in the USA for some research things related to my PhD and he did go visit me, but even though I was by the Mississippi, it was a bit far from New Orleans (I was at Saint Paul/ Minneapolis). Yes, I did freeze my ass at Minnesota (and during the polar vortex to, yay! 🥶). So during his visit, we went to other locations, but not the South. Maybe next time I go to the US I can take him there.

[@Taffer9876]

I worked with a girl that saw a dude with a sign with the I am hungry etc. on it. So she went to a food place and bought a meal for them. When she tried to give it to the guy, he said no thanks. I used to drive a city bus and all of the highway exit beggars would be drunk off their butt at the bar down the street trying to get on the bus.

[@CODMarioWarfare]

So? "Hungry" is really a shorthand for all the shit that the destitute are suffering with... the cardboard sign does not change when they manage to scrounge together a few bucks to get a meal. And of course they drink! You would too if your life had gone like theirs! You say that as if their booze budget could cover rent. It cannot.

[@loladiaz3534]

Great advices. Thank you very much. I got scammed a couple of years ago in HK. We took a taxi and the driver took us the looonnggggg way. When I told him that the passed the location he pretended he didn’t understand.

[@sollyolly9547]

That's entirely possible. A lot of these people "do not doing the understanding" when it suits them...

[@mikehess4494]

Excellent info Thanks

[@Matt-cw2zr]

I live in the U.S and have never heard of half of these 😂

[@Shok-_]

same

[@redderrobin9219]

They’re mostly in the big cities and more tourist-y places

[@buffymcmuffin5361]

I live in the U.S. also and want to see what's up.

[@SRBOMBONICA86]

It's for us tourists :)

[@ImNotADeeJay]

I have been three times in the US, two of them I have suffered scam attempts . Meanwhile, In much poorer countries (Bulgaria, Malta...) not a single problem.

[@6r4metroman]

Thanks for the heads up :-)

[@misofac]

With the shell game you can often lose even if you don't play. Another part of the scam is that the con artist who handles the cards often has an accomplice who picks the pockets of people in the crowd while their attention is captured by the game. Watch out for that, too.

[@deofolwitga2077]

Hopefully you ate at El Modelo off 2nd Street and Avenida Cesar Chavez when you came to Albuquerque New Mexico

[@BKrispy1]

Nai M or Barela’s/Duran’s

[@wesleywyndam-pryce4081]

NEW series Around the world 🌎 in 80 scams 😀

[@woltersworld]

Hahaha

[@CampusMania]

5:34 lol you have a flight ticket shaped phone cover! I've never seen one like this before.

[@matthewwynne939]

I don't know how common this one was or is, but several years ago on a trip to San Francisco I came across a booth labeled "tourist information". After a brief talk I realized it was just someone trying to convince me to attend a time-share presentation nearby in exchange for a free lunch. It may not be that apparent in all cases, but be weary of anything that promises something as compensation for your time.

[@paullutze9307]

Scammers: * exist * This guy: “Imma end these guys whole career”

[@1revjay]

The punch line for the New Orleans scam is "I know where you got them shoes, you got them on your feet."

[@cj7688]

that's too good. I would likely pay for that without complaining too much

[@teriyaki_chicken]

Sad that people are so dishonest.. thank you for videos like this

[@coffeeclubcollective]

Great and wholesome video very helpful thank you

[@wncjan]

Maybe I've just been lucky 😀. Never met anyone trying to scam me on my trips to USA

[@Sandikal]

You got lucky. The scams in this video are aimed at everyone. The scammers don't care if you're a local or a tourist.

[@jacksonanderson5288]

You’re not lucky, there aren’t many tourist scams. Scams are just scams for everyone here so statistically you are not here long enough to experience what the rest of us experience.

[@user-zg8nt5xe3g]

You look really poor dude

[@wncjan]

@@user-zg8nt5xe3g Probably.

[@sushi777300]

Traveled to the US many times and never experienced any scams

[@Septiccatgaming]

They are rare. Usually it’s the Americans that get scammed and it’s usually the over-the-phone ones. From what I’ve seen anyway.

[@multiplefan682]

Lucky you. Hollywood, CA is full of at least half these scams.

[@sushi777300]

@@multiplefan682 That's a place I avoid

[@multiplefan682]

@@sushi777300 Believe me it is pretty overrated.

[@nathanbishop1175]

Back in like 1992 (I believe) I went on vacation to Fort Collins Colorado, by myself. I was only 20 years old at the time. I was at a gas station and some lady in her mid-30s approached me (probably after seeing my New Hampshire License Plate,) and started giving me some sob story about being homeless and losing her sister to cancer, and said she wanted some money for food and a hotel room. My response was, "You want me to give you free money? That's just not gonna happen!"

[@ivan-1876]

Haha I got bored and clicked on this video but this was actually quite entertaining. I will definitely keep this information in mind in the future if I do decide to travel to the US (once the pandemic is over of course) and I wish you a good day. Thank you for sharing this information.

[@JRodizAwesome]

If you are walking in Hollywood Boulevard, dont take a cd from a stranger. They will ask you for a donation! They want your money, for a mix tape that you've never heard before. That CD could be empty for all you know... hold on, I'm legit getting a scam call rn.

[@BTheMag]

This! I was in LA for a work trip and visited Venice Beach with some work colleagues. One guy with us who lives in LA pointed out a guy handing out his mixtape with his “crew” standing nearby ready to harass you for money.

[@GHOSTbirdnatureLOVER]

They do the same thing in NYC. "Oh no we don't take cash. Here, use our card reader" BYEEEE

[@ahmd5]

Thanks for your informative videos. Once I got a call from the IRS 😆😆, I thought it was a scam but it wasn't. It turned out to be a nightmare. I am glad its over.

[@woltersworld]

Yikes

[@ElectrologyNow]

Well, I've watch a bunch of your videos ... I'm staying home this Summer!

[@michaelguthrie2492]

Lol, right as you're talking about the scam calls, I get one.