Traveling is a worthwhile adventure, bringing fun and education while getting away from everyday life for a while.
These experiences will provide lasting memories that you and your family will talk about for the rest of your lives.
However, with travel comes the prospect of scams.
Unfortunately, they seem to be everywhere. Use these seven ways to protect yourself from scams while traveling.
1. Audit Website Authority
In the United States, travel scams are among the top 10 most common types of fraud, accounting for a total loss of $95 million for consumers.
Sometimes, the cons can start before you’ve even booked a ticket.
After you’ve decided on a vacation destination, you may start looking around for the best deals on hotels, car rentals, airline tickets and more.
It’s common for hackers to use advertisements with too-good-to-be-true deals.
The ad leads to a fake website where they can steal hundreds upon thousands of dollars per person. You can audit the website by first checking the domain name.
Booking sites will use a .com domain, not .net, .org or another. If you’re using Expedia, ensure you’re on the company’s actual website, not a domain with Expedia and other words in the name.
2. Use a Credit Card
Another way to protect yourself from scams is to use a credit card as your payment method.
You can use a credit card for planning the trip and when you’re at the destination.
Whether you use Mastercard or Visa, credit cards are generally safer on vacation and everyday use.
Credit cards have more security because you typically don’t link your credit card to your checking account. So, suppose a hacker accesses your credit card information.
They can’t necessarily steal money because you haven’t paid with your checking account funds.
Credit cards are wise for hotels, car rentals, dining and other large purchases.
3. Protect Your Tickets
When vacationing, one fun activity many like to do is gamble or buy lottery tickets. Winning the lottery can be a life-changing experience.
Many people will cross state lines to purchase tickets if their state doesn’t participate in the Powerball or other drawings.
If you decide to gamble in another state, there are some ways you can protect yourself if you win.
First, you should always sign the ticket immediately after you purchase it to claim ownership.
Check the rules to see how long you have to claim the prize before it expires.
These guidelines may be helpful if you live far away. Also, wait until you’ve redeemed your ticket to post pictures on social media.
4. Be Vigilant of Timeshares
Another way scammers try to lure in people is with timeshares. Have you ever seen an advertisement for a timeshare presentation?
They may say if you stay the whole time, you get a free night in a hotel or a complimentary meal from a restaurant.
The reward may seem friendly, but there’s more than meets the eye.
Among the most common types of timeshare fraud is reselling scams. Timeshares often lose value over time, so many owners look to sell.
Suppose you’re thinking about participating in a timeshare. In that case, you should research the company and people conducting business to avoid a scam.
Scammers often target timeshare owners by acting like real estate agents and charging a fee but disappearing with no sale made.
5. Get a VPN
Vacations are an excellent way to disconnect from the real world. However, you’ll still need an internet connection for daily use and emergencies.
If you don’t have roaming on your phone plan, you may connect to public Wi-Fi often. Though it’s convenient, these networks can leave you vulnerable to hackers.
A terrific way to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi is to get a virtual private network (VPN).
These networks defend you on a smartphone, laptop, tablet or another device.
A VPN encrypts your data, securing your banking information, passwords and more. A VPN is also helpful for accessing websites blocked in other countries.
A VPN masks your location, so you can pretend you’re in the United States while actually in another nation.
6. Beware of Taxi Scams
In any country, the natives may try to trick vacationers into a scam by making them pay way more for a product or service that is much cheaper than what the seller claims.
Travelers would likely not know the difference if they’ve never been to the area.
One scam you may encounter while on vacation is with taxi drivers.
These people know the city roads like the back of their hand, and they can help you with a shorter path.
Or a scammer may try to take advantage of you and intentionally take a longer route, so your fare goes up.
You could follow along with a map on your phone to see if the driver is trying to scam you. Or try using rideshare apps that tell you the price before you go.
7. Research the Currency
Scammers like the taxi drivers above will try to take your money if they think you’re uneducated.
One way to protect yourself in another country is to research the currency if the location doesn’t use the same one you have at home.
Keep a calculator and a conversion chart nearby on paper or on your phone.
Count the change if you use cash to ensure someone doesn’t try to take advantage of you.
Fun and Safe Vacations
Traveling is one of the most fun things you and your family can do.
Any destination you pick can provide unforgettable experiences while learning about other people and cultures.
As enjoyable as they are, vacations can still bring scams. Be vigilant about the websites you use and the people with whom you conduct business.
These seven tips can save hassle when it’s supposed to be a relaxing time.