![Going on a summer vacation? Don't make these silly mistakes](https://www.komando.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/kk-article-20230121-wi-fi-security-tip-public-private-1200x675-1-640x360.jpg)
© Tomasz Smigla | Dreamstime.com
Have you heard about the woman who was scammed out of the $15,000 Carnival cruise she paid for? The day before the family was set to board, Tiffany found out that the trip she had planned for a year had been cancelled…and not because of her.
Carnival told him that the $12,000 room he had booked had been booked, and then refunded, under someone’s name. from another person name. Oh.
How it happened?
Tiffany posted her cruise tickets, including the booking reference number, on Facebook. That same day, a scammer created a new Carnival account with Tiffany’s confirmation number and then canceled the reservation and collected the money.
Carnival traced the scammer’s IP address to somewhere in British Columbia, but they were unable to discover his full identity. No, Tiffany and her family didn’t make it onto the ship.
The summer travel season is in full swing and criminals love to trick you. You’ve worked too hard this year to let some jerk ruin your vacation. That’s why I’ve rounded up these nine hard-to-avoid travel traps:
- Don’t post about your travel plans. before you leave. Shout: “Steal me!”
- Be on the lookout for fake booking sites and fake travel insurance. Go directly to a company’s official website to make arrangements.
- Don’t tell strangers where you’re staying. It’s fun to make friends on vacation, but even if someone… seems reliable, you never know.
- Don’t take unofficial tripseven if a car aspect Like a taxi. Book your transport in advance, use a ride-sharing app, or ask at the airport information desk where to find the official taxi service.
- Don’t be fooled by the “broken” meter. Shady taxi drivers will tell you that their meter is broken and charge you an incredible amount. Check the meter before starting the trip. If your controller tells you it’s broken, ask it to reset it. If they can’t, get off and take another taxi.
- Beware of scammers who carry out money exchange operations. If you need local currency in another country, use an ATM at an official bank, not one in a tourist area. Use your credit card whenever possible for extra protection.
- Avoid free public Wi-Fi. Scammers create fake Wi-Fi hotspots and hack whoever accesses them. Always verify the Wi-Fi name with an employee before connecting. Criminals often use names very similar to the official Wi-Fi network to trick people.
- Take care of your luggage, even at the hotelScammers will make a scene while you check in while someone else steals your luggage. Always keep an eye on your luggage and remain calm if someone approaches you.
- There is no such thing as a “free” photo.If a person in costume approaches you or is at a famous attraction and offers to take your photo, it probably won’t be free. Photo scammers will quickly take a photo and then force you to pay for it. If someone appears in your photo by force, do not pose and do not take photos.
Bonus tip: A friend of mine was in Rome with her daughter. A stranger offered to take a photo of them. She handed him her $1,500 iPhone and he walked away with it. Be careful out there!
What do travelers like most about Switzerland? I’m not sure, but the flag is a big plus.
Tags: Facebook, iPhone