Avoiding Scams When Travelling

On the countless times you run into Australians overseas, it's funny how often the conversation turns to matters of survival - namely the illnesses, accidents and criminal elements that other travellers have run into along their way.

Scams are always a big topic, whether it's recounting a 'stupid foreigner' scenario or gasping over the meticulously callous ways in which well-meaning backpackers have been targeted.

In terms of putting a downer on your holiday, being the victim of a scam can rate right alongside getting a parasitic worm infection. So it's no wonder stories are constantly being traded on the creative and clever ways that travellers can be relieved of their cash, credit cards and kidneys in countries worldwide.

It's enough to make you spend your entire trip plagued by paranoia (and miss out on having some great experiences and meeting genuine people while you're at it). But in reality, most travellers go along their merry way without hindrance from pickpockets, dodgy cab drivers or poseur police. And by using your common sense and recognising the risks, it is possible to avoid some of the dangers when they do present themselves.

With this in mind, we've put together a few points to heed wherever you're headed.

Be vigilant of your valuables. Carry enough cash for your needs each day somewhere accessible like a zippered pocket. Stash your passport, credit cards and other vital documents in a money pouch under your clothes. Even better, if your hotel has a safety deposit box, store your valuables there.

Always keep your credit card in sight. Don't let a waiter or shop assistant take your card away to finalise payment. Go with them to ensure you're charged the correct amount and that your card details aren't copied.

Beware the faulty ATM. If your money doesn't come out of the ATM, it could be that the machine has been purposefully blocked. Try to stay by the machine while someone else goes into the bank. Alternatively, check for anything impeding the cash dispenser before leaving the machine to report the fault.

Know the area. Guidebooks often contain information about common scams used in certain areas. Countries like Morocco, India and Colombia are notorious for swindlers, so it's important to know where you need to be extra vigilant. With this in mind, it pays to always be careful in crowded environments like festivals, markets and trains where pickpockets often operate.

Try to blend in. This mightn't be too easy in some countries, but the important thing is to avoid publicising yourself as a potential target. Don't wear ostentatious or expensive jewellery and carry your camera somewhere discrete. Learning as much of the local dialect as possible will also help you stay out of trouble.

Bring a lock. There may be times when you need to stay somewhere that you wouldn't generally deem as safe, such as a train or bus station. In these situations, lock your bags and then lock them to something immovable like a pole. If you can't find anything to attach your bags to, a last resort is to sleep on top of your bag.

If it sounds too good to be true... This one goes for any story that sounds too good - or bad - to be true. If someone is offering you a seemingly unbeatable deal or asking for money to get you out of a perceived predicament, there's always a chance that the whole scenario has been manufactured to fleece you of cash. Best advice is to be wary of handing money to strangers when all you're getting in return is a long story.

Get travel insurance. Getting scammed happens even to the most seasoned travellers. And the best way to ensure you have the peace of mind to relax and enjoy the holiday is to get comprehensive insurance. Although insurance can't prevent bad things from happening to you or your possessions, it can make the aftermath a whole lot easier.