Avoiding travel scams—12 essential tips for a smooth journey

Traveling is an incredible adventure—full of new experiences and memories waiting to be made. However, to ensure your trip goes smoothly, it's important to stay safe and prepared.

Here are some tips to help you enjoy your travels while keeping safety in mind.

1. Take time to research.

Before you head out, spend some time researching your destination. Knowing a bit about the local customs, culture, and laws can help you avoid any awkward or potentially risky situations. You can also look out for tourist scams in the region, so you can spot and avoid them.

Another helpful tip is saving the official emergency number—the local 911—of the country you’re visiting. Save the closest US embassy’s contact information too.

2. Book your trip with a legitimate company.

Travel booking scams are fairly common. When booking your flight or your lodgings, make sure to do it directly with the company or through reputable third-party websites.  You don’t want to end up looking for a place to stay at the last minute.

Bonus tip: Pay with your bookings with a credit card. If something happens, it’s easier to dispute the charge.

3. Keep your valuables close.

Beware of street scammers and pickpockets. No one likes to think about theft, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep your important items like your passport, money, credit cards, and electronics secure. Consider using a money belt or a neck wallet to keep your valuables close and hidden when going out.

Bonus tip: Bring a credit card that you can easily block and unblock from your phone in case something happens.

4. Make copies of important documents.

Having physical copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and itinerary can be a lifesaver if you don’t have the originals at hand or can’t connect to the internet. Keep these copies in a different place from the originals and store digital copies in a secure cloud service.

5. Stay alert.

Whether you're wandering through a busy city or exploring a quiet town, always stay aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to get distracted by your phone or the sights, but staying alert can help you avoid unwanted attention or mishaps.

Beware of common scams such as the gold ring scam or the friendship bracelet scam—were strangers offer something to you and then demand payment or distract you to steal your valuables. It’s best to decline and walk away fast to avoid engaging with them.

6. Choose safe transportation.

Stick to reputable transportation options and avoid taxi scams. Use licensed taxis, rideshare services, or well-known public transportation. If you’re renting a car, make sure it’s from a reliable company and familiarize yourself with local driving rules—you don’t want to be in the wrong lane.

Bonus tip: Ask your driver or rental company about traffic in the area. This will help you estimate how long it will take to drive to the places you want to see.

7. Choose safer options when withdrawing cash.

ATM skimmers and currency exchange scams are common. You don’t want to be overcharged or have your information stolen when getting cash. Look for ATMs inside banks to withdraw or go to a bank directly.

Bonus tip: Try to use a credit card for your purchases, particularly one you can freeze and unfreeze from an app if it gets lost or stolen.

8. Stay in touch.

Keep your friends and family updated on your travel plans. Share your itinerary and check in regularly. Use your device to share your location. This way, someone always knows where you are in case of an emergency.

9. Use a VPN when accessing public wifi.

Sometimes your international data plan fails, so you need to connect to the nearest public wifi. Use a VPN to help protect your personally identifiable information, email and social media logins, and banking information.

10. Be smart on social media.

While it’s tempting to share every moment of your trip online, be careful about oversharing. Posting real-time updates about your location can make you a target for theft or other crimes. Save the sharing for when you get back home.

11. Keep up with local news.

Stay informed about what’s happening in the area you’re visiting. Keeping an eye on local news can help you stay updated on any safety concerns, such as political unrest or natural disasters. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to keep the US Embassy informed in case of an emergency.

12. Trust your gut.

Finally, always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, leave. It’s better to be safe and adjust your plans than to take unnecessary risks.

Traveling is all about exploring and enjoying new experiences. By taking these precautions, you can focus on having fun and enjoying what the world has to offer. Safe travels!