If you’re lucky enough to be heading somewhere warm for a holiday this autumn or winter, it’s important to make sure you don’t fall victim to financial scams while you’re travelling.
Fraudsters are known to target tourists all over the world, but with the right knowledge you can spot dodgy deals and keep your cash safe.
Here are seven common travel scams to beware of when it comes to winter sun destinations…
If you’re still in the process of booking your getaway, beware of deals for flights, accommodation or car rental that seem to good to be true.
“Scammers will use fake websites, apps, or phishing emails,” warns Vonny Gamot, Head of EMEA at McAfee (mcafee.com). “Instead of leading you to a great deal, [they] link to scam sites that can then lift your login credentials, payment info, or even funds should you try to place an order through them.”
To make sure you’re on a reputable booking site, check the web address begins with ‘https’ not just ‘http’, she explains. “That extra ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’, which means that it uses a secure protocol for transmitting sensitive info like passwords or credit card numbers. It often appears as a little padlock icon in the address bar of your browser.”
Mexico is a hugely trendy destination this year, but travellers withdrawing cash from ATMs at Mexico City have reported finding fake notes in amongst the genuine ones.
Wherever you’re taking out cash, be sure to check for security features…
