When it comes to scamming, most scams don’t actually happen at the airport or even inside the taxi. The truth is, most scams actually happen first whenever you’re at the checkout counter. This is common due to the fact that most foreigners don’t even know anything about their destination country’s local currency. When this happens, they actually pay for services more than what is actually required. Needless to say, they had lost all of their cash before they even realize it.
Checkout Counter Scams: How to Protect Yourself From Those
Listed below are the most common scams that actually happen whenever you are in front of the checkout counter:
- Point-of-Sale Scams – This kind of scam works best if you’re a foreigner and don’t have any idea about the country’s local currency. In this case, some good ‘citizen’ will help you avail your needed services by asking him or her about the amount of their local currency if you’re going to pay something with your cash. This could lead to that one tricking you into paying more than what is needed. If you don’t want to become a victim, make sure that you know everything about the country where you are going, including their currency exchange rates.
- The Free Gift From Locals Scam – Just like in other scams, this one works when a local gives a free gift to the foreigner, asking for a tip in return to his or her courtesy. If you don’t want to pay, the scammer will then stir a mob and make a scandal, thereby forcing you to pay for something you actually don’t ask. You can prevent this thing from happening to you by simply saying no to that stranger and walking away as fast as you can.
- Fake Tickets Scam – This scam works by making the victim pay up for a recently-availed ticket, therefore sparing the victim from waiting up for a very long line. This is usually done to foreigners who wanted to get entertainment without getting bothered for a long wait. And since this scam also includes discounts, the victim easily falls prey to it. To prevent this one from happening to you, you must have the patience to take up the long line even if you have to wait before you get your own turn.
- Currency Exchange Scam – Usually works like point-of-sale scams, currency exchange scams work whenever a foreigner wants to pay for services by using his or her own travel currency. In this case, he or she ends up paying for more than what is actually needed.