If you are planning a trip, this could be the right text for you. As a tourist, you can easily become a victim of a scam. Pickpocketing, taxi or rental scams on your favorite tourist destination can ruin your vacation, and sometimes there are situations when legal advice is necessary.
It’s good to know that Belgrade lawers can help you solve various of inconveniences you could face on holiday, and in order to be more careful on your next trip, here are 5 most common scams that can happen to you:
Taxi drivers
Some taxi drivers can charge as much as possible for the ride, by taking a detour, saying that the meter is broken, or asking if you can agree on a price.
Very often, taxi drivers have agreements with certain local agencies and hotels in order to recommend their services to tourists.
Tip:
If you can, always call a taxi to make sure they are members of the taxi drivers’ association. Check if the taxi meter is working or agree on the price of the ride in advance.
Pickpocketing
Popular tourist destinations flooded with tourists in high season are pickpockets’ paradise. At the most frequented points of the city, such as bus stations, metro, train, city squares, boulevards, there is a chance that someone will steal something from you.
Often in such places you can see the sign „Beware of pickpockets“, and when tourists read this warning, they automatically start checking their wallets. That way pickpockets can see where you keep your money.
Tip:
Hide your valuables effectively (do not show your valuable jewelry, money, mobile phone, etc.). By wearing your backpack in front, you have better control over your belongings and can more easily keep an eye on them.
Some tourists carry another „fake“ wallet – an empty one.
Exchange offices
Getting the best exchange rate when you travel sounds very tempting, but be careful. Sometimes you can get fake bills. Avoid changing money on the street or at unlicensed exchange offices.
The employees can count the bills very slowly while returning your money, in hope that you will lose patience, take the money and leave in a hurry.
Tip:
Ask about the currency of the destination you are traveling to before your trip. Always count the money in the exchange office.
Expensive restaurant bill
Very often, restaurants and bars in the city center or near the main tourist attractions can be much more expensive.
It is not unusual that, if they notice that you are a tourist, they overcharge (instead of three, they will charge you for five drinks), and tourists often do not check the prices, nor the quantity.
Tip:
Confirm the price of anything before you order it. Take a look at the Google or Tripadvisor reviews too, to make sure you don’t fall for a tourist trap.
The Rental That Doesn’t Exist
You find the perfect holiday home online, only it’s a fake, and you’re not actually booking it through the owner.
This is common in places like Bali, where rentals are often found through WhatsApp rather than reputable booking platforms.
Tip:
Stay on the trusted rental platforms for all correspondence, and do not book directly unless you trust the host (for example, if you’re a repeat guest).
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