Before you travel, know the scams. Explore verified warnings from real travelers, check what to avoid in your destination, and share your own experience to help others stay safe.
Latest reports submitted by the community
🗓️ Scam date: 7 December 2025
📝 Reported: 23 September 2026
At the Giza entrance, a man said the pyramids were "closed for prayers" until 2 pm and offered a cheap tour "in the meantime". The tour was a papyrus shop and a "perfume palace". The pyramids were never closed. Touts cannot close the pyramids.
🗓️ Scam date: 2 May 2026
📝 Reported: 23 September 2026
A well-dressed man asked me to help find an address on his map at Deák Square. While both my hands held the map, someone else reached into my jacket. I lost my phone. If a stranger asks for directions with a map, keep walking.
📍 Washington DC, United States
🗓️ Scam date: 8 March 2026
📝 Reported: 22 September 2026
The first Google result for "ESTA application" charged $89 "processing fee". The real official site is $21. The visa itself was valid but the site is a reseller — dozens of them exist. Only use the official .gov site.
🗓️ Scam date: 18 December 2025
📝 Reported: 22 September 2026
A tuk-tuk took us to a "nice show" bar in Patpong. Two beers and a "cover charge" later, the bill was 12,000 baht and two large men stood by the door. We paid. This is the most famous racket in Bangkok.
🗓️ Scam date: 19 October 2024
📝 Reported: 22 September 2026
We found an apartment through a Facebook group, met the "landlord", paid two months' deposit in cash. On move-in day the phone was dead and the real owner knew nothing about a rental. Never pay deposits in cash without a proper contract.
🗓️ Scam date: 14 September 2026
📝 Reported: 21 September 2026
Two men near the Alhambra entrance offered "last-minute official tickets" because the box office was sold out. Paid €120 for two tickets. At the gate the scanner rejected both — they were already used that morning. By the time we went back the sellers were gone. Only buy tickets from the official Patronato de la Alhambra website or machines.
Browse thousands of verified scam reports from travelers worldwide. Learn about common scams in specific destinations before you travel.
Get up-to-date warnings about taxi overcharges, fake tour guides, accommodation scams, and other tourist-targeted frauds.
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Scammers target tourists because they are unfamiliar with local prices, customs, and languages. Travel smarter by checking the scams reported at your destination before you go and learning how to recognize them early. Tourist Beware collects verified reports from real travelers around the world, so you can spot the warning signs, avoid common traps, and stay protected from day one of your journey.
Drivers who refuse the meter, rigged meters, and “broken” card machines are the most reported travel scams worldwide. Before getting in, agree on the price — or use ride-hailing apps that show the fare upfront.
Counterfeit attraction tickets and unlicensed guides prey on tourists at airports, train stations, and famous landmarks. Buy tickets only from official websites or licensed operators, and be wary of deals that sound too good to be true.
Fake listings, bait-and-switch room swaps, and last-minute “renovation” excuses leave travelers stranded. Verify reviews across multiple platforms, pay through trusted booking channels, and keep written confirmation of everything.
Hidden skimmers on ATMs and payment terminals copy your card details in seconds. Withdraw cash at banks during opening hours, cover your PIN, and check your statements while you travel.
Organized pickpockets work in teams: one creates a distraction while another takes your valuables. Keep bags zipped and in front of you in crowds, and never hang a phone or purse on the back of a chair.
“Tourist menus” with inflated prices and surprise service charges are common in busy areas. Check prices before you order, confirm the total, and read recent reviews to find places locals actually recommend.
Research before you go — read recent scam reports for your destination, learn local prices for common services, and save your embassy’s contact details.
Book through trusted platforms — use official websites, licensed operators, and payment methods with buyer protection. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Keep your valuables secure — use the hotel safe for passports and extra cash, carry a decoy wallet, and never keep all your money in one place.
Stay alert in crowds — tourist hotspots attract pickpockets, and a staged question, petition, or “accidental” spill is often just a distraction.
Report scams you encounter — share your experience on Tourist Beware so other travelers can stay protected and avoid the same trap.
Click 'Report a Scam', describe what happened, pick the scam category, and select the city and country where it took place. Reports are reviewed before publication, and you can submit anonymously.
Yes. Every submission is reviewed before it is published, and only verified reports appear on the public listing pages. This keeps the database reliable and free of spam.
Yes. Browse scam reports by country or by city to see warnings left by travelers who visited your destination, and check the latest reports before you go.
The most reported scams worldwide are taxi overcharging, fake tickets and tour guides, accommodation bait-and-switch, card skimming, distraction theft, and overpriced 'tourist menu' restaurants.
Stay calm and leave the situation, contact local police and your embassy if needed, keep receipts and screenshots as evidence, and report the scam on Tourist Beware to warn other travelers.
Yes. Browsing scam reports and submitting your own warnings is completely free. The platform is community-powered to help everyone travel safer.