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6/2/2008

Fort Worth, TX – – There are a number of popular travel scams directed at tourists both in the United States and overseas. One frequently used scam involves the scammer asking for a temporary “loan” to buy some gas so that he can complete some worthwhile mission. He even asks for your address so he can repay the money. Of course, if any money changes hands, it will never be repaid. Another popular scam involves fake airport limousine service. The supposed limo driver approaches the target and indicates that he has just gotten off duty and would like to make some extra money. In most cases you will eventually reach your destination but only after an unnecessarily long ride and inflated charge. In a worst case scenario, you could wind up as a kidnap victim being hauled from ATM machine to ATM machine to drain your account. Some fake limo drivers may even hold your luggage “hostage,” demanding an extra payment if you want to get it back. The moral of this tale is to never accept a ride unless it is with a licensed limousine driver or taxi driver who can be reported to the authorities for improper behavior. The “short change” scam has several variations. The tourist pays the bill, but the person receiving the money claims that it was a smaller denomination and wants the tourist to make up the supposed “difference.” One way to counter this scam is to state out loud the amount of money being given at the time of the transaction. Tourists can reduce the possibility that they will be the target of a scam or some other crime by paying attention to their surroundings, dressing appropriately, and leaving the jewelry at home.