Experts tell how to protect yourself from scammers while traveling

It is easy for Russian travelers to reduce the risk of fraud during their trips abroad - to do this, they should not give documents to strangers, exercise caution when checking into a hotel and shopping, and also avoid dubious adventures, experts interviewed by RIA Novosti recommend.

It is critically important to remain vigilant on holiday in order not to lose money. Tourists most often become victims of primitive schemes that do not require complex deception, which are easy to prevent with basic caution, emphasizes Meri Valishvili, associate professor of the Department of State and Municipal Finance at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.

Dishonest currency exchange remains one of the most common types of fraud. To protect yourself, it is wiser to exchange money in banks or licensed exchange offices, always count the bills upon receipt and check the numbers at the slightest doubt, advises the head of the department of hotel and tourism management at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics Roman Gareev.

The expert also mentioned the problem of fraudulent taxi drivers. The best protection is to check the approximate cost of the route in advance, use reputable applications and demand that the meter be turned on.

In some countries, including Spain, France and the Czech Republic, tourists may encounter fake police officers who extort money under the guise of checking documents. In such cases, you cannot hand over your passport or wallet - you must demand to be escorted to an official police station and immediately call the embassy, ​​Gareyev explains.

In popular tourist centers of Italy (Rome, Venice), Greece (Athens) and France (Paris), travelers often encounter fake excursions or museum tickets. Gareev notes: to avoid fraud, it is worth buying tickets exclusively on the official websites of museums or at their box offices, and booking excursions through trusted agencies with a reputation.

Another common scheme is related to housing rentals, the expert reminds. In Spain (Barcelona), Thailand (Phuket) and Turkey (Istanbul), scammers publish tempting rental offers on platforms, demand prepayment and disappear. To protect yourself, it is worth booking housing only on resources with guarantees, carefully study reviews and never transfer funds directly without a confirmed booking.

In addition, fraudsters sometimes accommodate tourists in faulty rooms, demanding additional payment for "repairs". In order not to become a victim, Deputy Director of the NTI TUSUR Competence Center Ruslan Permyakov recommends taking photos of the condition of the room upon check-in. The same applies to rented transport - when returning a scooter, car or bicycle, unscrupulous companies often demand compensation for pre-existing or staged damage.

In conclusion, Permyakov sums up: when faced with persistent offers from “friendly locals” (visiting establishments, buying souvenirs) followed by extortion, such initiatives should be decisively rejected, especially if the stranger is persistent.