As summer travel peaks, authorities and consumer groups are raising awareness about a range of scams targeting holidaymakers abroad. Recent incidents highlight how travellers can fall victim to both physical and digital fraud, underscoring the need for vigilance when paying for services, safeguarding personal belongings, and verifying information while overseas.

One notable case involved a British tourist in Paris who was charged £490 for an £8 taxi ride. According to the traveller’s account, the driver claimed internet issues, requested payment through the vehicle’s window, and altered the amount on the card reader. Experts warn that such in-person payments lack the protection offered by bank transfers, leaving passengers vulnerable to fraud.

Estimates suggest that one in twenty British holidaymakers experiences some form of scam while abroad, with over 9.4 million recorded instances in the past five years. Graeme Buck, director of communications at Abta, stressed the importance of applying familiar safety precautions overseas and consulting official travel advice before departure.

Common tactics employed by con artists include distraction techniques such as pretending to clean a traveler’s clothing with tissues to facilitate pickpocketing, and unsolicited requests to verify payment details over the phone—a method often used to steal card information. Authorities advise declining to share card details without verifying via official hotel reception.

Digital threats are also prevalent. “Juice jacking” involves tampering with public USB charging ports in airports, hotels or cafés to extract data or install malware on travellers’ devices. Experts recommend using personal chargers connected to electrical outlets, employing USB data blockers to prevent data transfer, or relying on portable power banks.

In popular European cities like Paris, Milan, and Rome, couples should be wary of strangers offering unsolicited gifts such as flowers or bracelets, which might be pretexts for demands of payment or distractions for theft. Women are frequently targeted in “selfie” scams, where individuals ask for photographs as a means to steal valuables without the victim noticing.

Other reported scams include impostors claiming to be hotel staff who contact guests about alleged card issues or offer suspicious tours, sometimes pressuring purchases through intimidation. Scammers may glean hotel information from wristbands worn by guests; flipping the band inside out is suggested as a precaution.

Street-level cons also pose risks. The “pea and cup” game, where participants are baited into betting on a hidden item under shifting cups, often leads to intimidation and financial loss. Unscrupulous taxi drivers may claim meters are broken, take longer routes, or attempt to reroute travellers to accommodations offering the driver a commission. Using reputable ride-hailing apps, pre-booking airport transfers, or consulting local tourist forums can help mitigate such risks.

Digital communication platforms are exploited as well. Hackers have been known to infiltrate hotel and Airbnb messaging systems to send fraudulent messages threatening booking cancellations unless payment details are resent, often through phishing links on apps like WhatsApp. Guests are advised to avoid making payments or clicking links outside official booking platforms.

Finally, travellers near major tourist attractions should be cautious when approached by groups soliciting signatures for petitions. These encounters may be designed to distract and facilitate pickpocketing or pressure donations. Similarly, bogus transit staff or self-appointed helpers at busy train stations may overcharge passengers or sell invalid tickets, preying on unfamiliarity with local transportation systems.

As millions travel in the coming weeks, experts emphasize maintaining awareness, verifying information independently, and exercising standard safety measures similar to those used at home to help ensure a secure and enjoyable holiday experience.