Travel Safety Guide
Don't Get Scammed
Scams target travelers worldwide — from romance fraud to street cons. Knowing the patterns before you go is your best defense.
Content adapted from U.S. Department of State travel advisories.
Golden Rules
Protect Your Info
Never share personal or financial details over the phone, email, or social media — even if the request seems legitimate.
Don't Send Money to Strangers
Never wire money or send gift cards to someone you haven't met in person, regardless of how convincing their story sounds.
Too Good to Be True?
If an offer seems unreal — a huge prize, a dream job, a sudden inheritance — it almost certainly is a scam.
Verify Through Official Channels
If someone claims the embassy won't help them, tell them to contact the embassy directly. To verify a claim, call State Department Overseas Citizens Services: 888-407-4747.
Use Traceable Payment Methods
If you do send money in a genuine emergency, use a method requiring photo ID for pickup. Contact the local embassy for guidance.
Report Scams
If you've been scammed, file a complaint with the FTC and report it to the FBI at ic3.gov.
Scam Breakdowns
Romance & Relationship Scams
Someone you met online quickly escalates to declarations of love or friendship, then fabricates an overseas crisis requiring your financial help.
How It Works
- ›They establish trust quickly — often proposing marriage or deep friendship within days.
- ›A sudden crisis appears: hospital bills, visa fees, legal trouble, or travel costs.
- ›They claim the U.S. embassy refuses to help (false — embassies always assist citizens).
- ›They pressure you to send money through untraceable methods.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Relationship moves unusually fast
- ⚠Refuses video calls or in-person meetings
- ⚠Any request for money, gift cards, or wire transfers
- ⚠Claims the embassy "won't help" a U.S. citizen
Stay Safe
Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. If they claim to be a U.S. citizen in trouble, tell them to contact the nearest embassy directly. To verify a situation, call the State Department's Overseas Citizens Services: 888-407-4747.
Grandparent / Family Emergency Scams
A caller or message pretends to be a family member — grandchild, niece, nephew — claiming they're in immediate trouble abroad and need money fast.
How It Works
- ›They reach out via social media, text, or a spoofed phone call.
- ›They claim an emergency: arrest, hospitalization, or being stranded.
- ›They beg you not to tell anyone — "keep it a secret."
- ›They demand quick payment through unconventional channels.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Urgent request paired with a demand for secrecy
- ⚠Voice sounds different or call quality is poor
- ⚠Contact comes from an unknown number or account
- ⚠Payment must go to a third party or overseas address
Stay Safe
Hang up and contact the family member directly through a known phone number. Check their social media for signs everything is normal. Scammers rely on panic — taking five minutes to verify usually exposes the fraud.
Drug Trafficking & Package Mule Scams
A seemingly legitimate job, charity, or relationship opportunity asks you to transport luggage, packages, or documents across borders — often concealing illegal substances.
How It Works
- ›It starts as a romantic relationship, job offer, or charity request.
- ›They offer free travel, luggage, or "courier" work.
- ›You're asked to pick up items in a third country or carry sealed packages.
- ›The items contain drugs or contraband — and you're the one who gets caught.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Someone you barely know asks you to carry items
- ⚠Packages are sealed and you're told not to open them
- ⚠The offer includes free travel or suspiciously generous payment
- ⚠Your route includes unusual stopovers or handoffs
Stay Safe
Never carry anything for someone you don't know. If you've been approached, report it to the airline and border authorities before you travel. If you unknowingly transported illegal goods, contact the nearest embassy immediately.
Lottery & Prize Scams
You're told you've won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes — but need to pay "taxes" or "processing fees" upfront to claim your prize.
How It Works
- ›An email, call, or message announces you've won a large sum.
- ›They ask you to pay fees before receiving winnings.
- ›The fees grow as you pay — each payment promises the next step.
- ›You never receive anything; the cycle continues.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠You never entered the lottery or contest
- ⚠Upfront payment required to claim a prize
- ⚠Pressure to act before the "deadline"
- ⚠Communication from free email addresses or unofficial domains
Stay Safe
Legitimate lotteries don't require upfront fees. If you didn't buy a ticket, you didn't win. Block and report the sender.
Wallet Drop & Money Grab
A planted wallet or cash on the ground becomes bait. Scammers use it to either extort you or physically snatch your belongings.
How It Works
- ›You spot cash or a wallet on the ground. A scammer "finds" it and asks if it's yours.
- ›Another person arrives claiming ownership and accuses you of theft.
- ›They threaten to call police unless you pay them off.
- ›In another version, they ask to inspect your wallet to "prove" you didn't steal theirs — then grab it and run.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Strangers demanding to see your wallet or cash
- ⚠Accusations of theft over a planted item
- ⚠Threats of police involvement on the spot
Stay Safe
Never hand over your wallet or show your cash to strangers. Walk away and, if threatened, head toward a populated area or business. Don't engage.
Teahouse, Bar & Restaurant Scams
An overly friendly local invites you to a venue — then you're hit with an outrageous bill, sometimes backed by threats.
How It Works
- ›A friendly stranger (often posing as a student practicing English) strikes up a conversation.
- ›They invite you to a specific teahouse, bar, or restaurant.
- ›The menu has tiny print, dim lighting hides prices, or drinks are spiked.
- ›Your host disappears when the bill arrives — leaving you with charges in the hundreds or thousands.
- ›Staff may use intimidation if you refuse to pay.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Unsolicited invitation from someone you just met
- ⚠They insist on a specific venue they chose
- ⚠No visible menu prices or menus you can't read
- ⚠Your companion leaves before the bill
Stay Safe
Politely decline venue invitations from strangers. If you go, check prices before ordering and keep your drink in sight. If confronted with an impossible bill, stay calm, contact your embassy, and don't sign any credit card receipts.
Art Gallery & Rug Shop Pressure Sales
An "art student" or gallery owner invites you to view local work, then uses social pressure to force expensive purchases.
How It Works
- ›Someone approaches you at a tourist site claiming to be a student.
- ›They invite you to a studio or gallery to "appreciate" local art.
- ›Food and drinks are served while they introduce the artwork.
- ›Then comes the pressure: you're expected to buy as "thanks" for their hospitality.
- ›Rug shops and carpet dealers use the same playbook.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Unsolicited invitations from strangers near tourist sites
- ⚠Studio or gallery in a non-commercial area
- ⚠Hospitality that feels disproportionate to a casual meeting
- ⚠Guilt-based sales tactics
Stay Safe
It's fine to visit galleries, but set your own boundaries. If you feel pressured, leave. You owe nothing for hospitality you didn't request.
Airport Bag Watch Scam
A stranger asks you to watch their bag, then returns with a fake officer who claims the bag contains contraband — and demands money to avoid arrest.
How It Works
- ›Someone leaves a bag with you and walks away.
- ›They return with an accomplice posing as a police officer.
- ›The bag allegedly contains drugs or illegal items.
- ›The "officer" demands a bribe to avoid arrest.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Strangers asking you to hold or watch their belongings
- ⚠"Police" officers who don't show proper ID or uniforms
- ⚠Demands for immediate cash payment on the spot
Stay Safe
Never accept responsibility for a stranger's belongings. If confronted, ask for official identification and insist on going to a real police station.
Shell Games & Street Gambling
A street game looks easy to win — but the setup is rigged, and accomplices in the crowd ensure tourists lose big.
How It Works
- ›A game with shells, cups, and a ball appears simple.
- ›Accomplices in the crowd win at first to lure you in.
- ›You place larger bets — and the operator sneaks the ball away.
- ›You lose, often hundreds of dollars.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Street gambling in tourist areas
- ⚠People in the crowd winning suspiciously often
- ⚠Games where the operator controls all movement
Stay Safe
If it's on the street, it's rigged. Walk away.
Mustard / Bird Dropping Distraction
One scammer claims something is on your clothing to distract you while their partner lifts your bags or wallet.
How It Works
- ›A stranger approaches, pointing out a "stain" on your jacket or bag.
- ›While you're focused on cleaning it, their accomplice steals from you.
- ›The distraction is friendly and helpful-seeming.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Strangers reaching toward your clothing or bags
- ⚠Unsolicited help with something on you
- ⚠Two or more people working together around you
Stay Safe
Step back, keep your belongings close, and handle any "stain" yourself. Stay aware of who's around you during the interaction.
Fake International Driving Permit (IDP) Scams
Websites and vendors sell counterfeit International Driving Permits — invalid documents that can lead to fines or legal trouble abroad.
How It Works
- ›Scam websites look official and offer "instant" IDPs online.
- ›They charge premium prices for worthless documents.
- ›If caught driving with a fake IDP, you face fines or legal charges.
🚩 Red Flags
- ⚠Any website other than AAA or AATA selling IDPs
- ⚠Claims of "instant" or "digital" IDP delivery
- ⚠Prices significantly higher than official rates
Stay Safe
Only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs. Apply through AAA Travel offices or their official websites. Driving without a valid license and insurance abroad can carry serious legal consequences.
Been a Victim?
If you've been scammed, report it immediately. Your report helps authorities track patterns and protect others.