Travel scams to look out for on your next trip

You’ve just arrived on a ‘cheap’ escape to South East Asia. You jump in an unmetered cab, make a few quick stops at each of the taxi driver’s cousins’ shops (all miraculously on the way to your hotel – which is now mysteriously ‘closed’). One final stop at a suspiciously branded ATM later and suddenly you’re heading back to Australia with your tail between your legs and your wallet on life support.

Some overseas scams might seem like no-brainers. Others are far trickier – and can leave you with more worries than just a bruised ego. In fact, travel scams cost Australians millions of dollars last year.

Here’s a quick rundown on some common travel scams to avoid on your next trip.

Skim. Scam. Scum.

Skimming is a type of credit card fraud where thieves use a small device to capture (skim) and store your credit card information while you’re doing a regular transaction like getting cash out at the ATM. They then proceed to drain your bank account or max out your credit card over a series of days or months.

This is not the synopsis of the latest Tom Cruise film, but a pretty common scam which you may experience at home or abroad.

It may sound like mission impossible, but here are some tips to help you avoid skimming as easily as you avoid Tom Cruise movies. These include:

• Never letting your credit card get out of your sights.
• Steering clear of dodgy looking ATMs. Try and use ATMs located in reputable banks. And if you notice a credit card reader that protrudes outside the face of the rest of the machine, it may be a skimmer.
• Covering your hand when entering your PIN in case the fraudster has set up cameras.
• Also, watch out for double dipping. If a transaction hasn’t gone through for whatever reason, ask the salesperson to give you a receipt of the declined transaction. Be sure to check your statement in your banking app too.

Old school pick pocketing

Technology may advance every day, but sometimes tradition is a thief’s weapon of choice – especially around tourist attractions in Europe.

There will be different techniques such as bumping into you or masquerading as a charity worker with clipboards, street performances, public using crowded metros or even offering to help carry your suitcase or backpack. These are all techniques to distract you while a thief does their magic on your pockets.

Being alert and knowing what to look out for can help, but unfortunately if pickpockets strike you may have to rely on the cure.

Download the ME app before you head overseas, so if your card gets stolen you can block it immediately and check your account for unwanted transactions. It’s always a good idea to bring a couple of cards with you too, so why not bring your credit card or an additional Buck card with you?

Worst case scenario, we can send out a new card to you within 48 hours—and even arrange an emergency cash advance to hold you over until you get your new card.

Wi-Not

Avoid public Wi-Fi at all costs. It’s often not secure and some scammers lure you in with free Wi-Fi in order to install malware on your device. And malware is even worse than that U2 album that Apple snuck onto your phone a few years ago.

They fake it until they make it

Counterfeit cash has existed almost as long as money itself – and modern tech is only making it harder to distinguish. To avoid being given counterfeit money, change your cash in reputable places in Australia before you go. Familiarise yourself with these notes, so that once you’re overseas you’re less prone to accept the fakes. While you're still here, be sure to check exchange rates too.

Reliable protection? Priceless

For true peace of mind, ME’s got your back with Mastercard™'s Zero Liability. We won’t hold you responsible for unauthorised transactions made in the store, over the telephone, online, or via a mobile device and ATM transactions.

And when you get back, make sure you continue checking your account regularly as sometimes scammers wait a couple of weeks or months before withdrawing money from your account. That way, you won't need Nigerian royals or text lotteries to bail you out.

Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard Zero Liability protection is subject to meeting Mastercard's conditions. See here for full details of the MasterCard Zero Liability policy and conditions.