After much thought, you’ve finally made the decision to go on a trip to Southeast Asia. You have the funds and you’ve already submitted your request for a few days’ leave from work. It didn’t even take long to book your flight and accommodation. All that’s left to do is pack your belongings and you’re off to go, right? Err, not exactly…..

When travelling to a foreign country, you should do some research on what to expect when you’re there. Read everything about the place – the cultures/traditions you need to observe, the food they offer, the beautiful tourist sights you can visit, etc. Aside from these, you should also spend time researching on the not-so-good stuff like the drawbacks you’ll encounter when you arrive – the change of weather, the language barrier, and yes, the scams you will likely encounter.

Sad to say, travel scams in Southeast Asia are rampant and are mostly targeted to foreigners. So before you hop on that flight, make sure to familiarize yourself with the following travel scams to avoid becoming a victim:

 

Currency Exchange Scam

Some locals will approach tourists in the streets to offer currency exchange. Don’t entertain them. You will likely be offered counterfeit money or a much lesser currency exchange rate. What you can do is go to an accredited money changer/establishment to do the transaction. You can also use your credit card if you have no cash in hand. ATMs also support withdrawal in international currency. Just a heads-up when exchanging money even in accredited establishments, check the exchange rates before you do the transaction and make sure to count your money before leaving.

Transportation Fare Scam

There are some drivers that will take advantage of foreign travelers and charge higher. Better ask the local passengers how much the fare is before riding any type of transportation. For taxis, ask the drive if the meter is working. If it’s not, then agree on the fare amount first before taking the ride. Some foreigners also rent motorbikes to explore various places conveniently. If you opt for a motorbike, check if there are scratches on the bike and let the owner know about it. Some owners scam foreigners into paying more when the bike is returned saying the bike did not have scratches before.

Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, don’t forget to ask for the local police station’s phone number. Why? So you have someone to call if ever you find yourself in a situation that puts your life in jeopardy.

Tour Guide Scam

This is not that common but it does happen. If you want to hire a tour guide then get a legit one. You will likely be approached by some locals offering to be your tour guide. Turn them down politely. They could be real tour guides or they could be not but it’s always better to be on the safe side. There are a lot of tour companies with online and social media presence. Try to contact them directly.

Events/Activities Ticket Scam

You will likely meet locals offering tickets for party trips or special events/activities. These are mostly scams. Don’t fall for any of these. You will only end up looking like an idiot when the special events you’ve paid for turn out to be non-existent. Always inquire and purchase tickets from official ticketing offices.

Some will also sell you fake tickets. They will try to convince you that this particular event is almost sold-out already but luckily they still have tickets that are up for purchase. If you buy tickets from these people you will only be turned away at the entrance of the event/attraction because you have a fake ticket.