Travel scams to avoid

Travel scams are as old as travel itself. After all, visitors to a new country or city often make easy targets for unscrupulous locals. Moreover, as travel has gotten more and more complicated, especially with added security measures in airports along with the downturn in tourism and the economy in general, more and more scams or fees have cropped up.

However, ForbesTraveler.com recently had an article entitled the Top 10 Travel Scams to Avoid that is well worth reading by any road warrior or vacation traveler plus the article also includes a slideshow of the 10 travel scams to avoid. Although none of the travel scams listed were “Asia specific,” the article is well worth reading as frequent business travelers or expatriates who travel may encounter or have already encountered some of the following “scams” that were mentioned in the article:

• Unscrupulous Parking Attendants/Valets – Always take your valuables with you or lock them in the trunk no matter where in the world you are when using a parking valet – especially if it is not obvious where your car is actually being parked (i.e. the street where it can be towed). And remember, Asia has more than a few cities where a few dollars worth of pocket change left lying around may be more than what most people earn in a day.
• Airline Checked-in Baggage Fees – If you will be traveling within Asia without a return flight to the USA where checked-in bag weight limits (at least in the past) have tended to be more lenient, you may be in for a big surprise. Always check the policy of the airline regarding weight restrictions before you head to the airport – especially if you are flying in economy class.
• Unsecure Airport Security Areas – Crowded airport security areas are an easy place to loose small and valuable items. Either place most of the small miscellaneous items you are carrying (wallets, jewelry, belts, camera, mobile phones, ipods etc.) inside your carryon bag before you are set to enter a secure area or have a small plastic bag handy to put them into when they must go through the metal detectors. In that way, you can be sure you will leave the secure area with all of your belongings. And if you are subject to a secondary screening, be sure to insist that your personal items accompany you.
• Hotel Locations – Avoid surprises by always running a hotel or serviced apartment address through MapQuest or Google Earth to ensure that your accommodations are where they say they will be – i.e. “close to the city center.” After all, online maps are available now for most Asian cities.
• Hotel Room Identity Theft – Never leave any documentation containing personal information lying around your hotel or serviced apartment room as you may become a subject of identity theft no matter what part of the world you are in. And remember, even maids in developing countries may be much more tech or language savvy than you think!
• Buying Counterfeits – Asia has a reputation for counterfeit CDs and designer handbags but some counterfeits may be downright dangerous such as counterfeit medicines (it may be a good idea to stock up on some medicines in your home country before you leave), perfumes and electronics. Not to mention, bringing counterfeit items back to your home country may result in confiscation or fines. 
• Money Changers – Although paying inflated commissions when exchanging money at hotels or airports may be bad, receiving out of circulation banknotes can be worst - something to watch out for in particular while in Asia. Hence, reputable banks, money changers and the ATM may be your best option.
• Being Taken for a Ride in a Taxi – Taxi scams are as old as taxis themselves, whether its forgetting to turn on a meter or taking the “scenic route” to your destination. Moreover, some Asian cities are notorious for taxi rides that can be more than annoying and turn downright dangerous. Always try to follow the route on a map and when possible use official hotel or airport taxis. 

Keeping some of the above tips in mind will help you to avoid unnecessary fees or scams.