Five of the craftiest holiday cons

With the average victim of theft abroad losing £414, we reveal five of the most common scams.

Some 7% of Brits who have been abroad within the past two years have lost money through theft or fraud, according to research from Sainsbury’s Finance.

On average, the value of these stolen items totals £414 – a sum few of us could afford to lose after paying for a holiday. Perhaps unsurprisingly, cash is the most common target for thieves.

If you’re worried about falling victim to crime abroad, Sainsbury’s research revealed five techniques fraudsters employ to trick tourists.

1. The seat belt fine

If you’re taking a taxi during your holiday and the driver informs you need to pay a seat belt fine, there’s a good chance you’re being set up.

After taking your ‘fine’, the driver may disappear around a corner and pretend to be handing the cash over to an official.

Alternatively, the trick may involve another scammer playing the role of a police offer who collects your cash.

To avoid getting caught out by these types of hoaxes, it might be worth researching local laws in your destination before leaving the UK.

2. The beachcomber

If you’re soaking up the sun on your holiday, you should be especially vigilant for fraudsters who operate on beaches.

Using this trick, a thief observes their potential targets and swoops in to steal their bag and possessions when they go for a swim in the sea.

3. The distraction dupe

Thieves and scammers often work in tandem in order to hoodwink their victims.

As one of the pair distracts you with a false story or by making conversation, an accomplice is busy stealing from your bag or pockets.

4. The bus breakdown

If you’re on a bus that suddenly experiences mechanical problems, you should be on the alert for a possible scam.

With the bus breakdown con, the driver will stop the vehicle in some deserted location and insist the passengers pay an additional fare to be collected by a second bus.

5. The note switch

When handing over your cash in a bar or taxi, keep an eye open for the note switch trick.

Criminals may accept a large note, swap it for a smaller denomination and then claim you have underpaid.

Admittedly, it can be difficult to get to grips with a new currency when you’re travelling. However, few of us would readily hand over more cash if this situation arose in the UK, so don’t be duped on holiday.

Where you’re most at risk

According to Sainsbury’s data, scams and thefts are most likely to occur in hotel rooms or on public transport.

Other common crime hotspots include tourist attractions, beaches, bars, ATMs, cars and shops.

Will travel insurance pay out?

Most travel insurance policies are designed to cover you against losses that result from crime, but there are a number of ways you could inadvertently invalidate your policy.

If, for example, you have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol at the time of the crime, the insurer may decide you have taken an unjustifiable risk and refuse to cover your claim.

Many insurance companies also require you report any incident to the local police within a set time period – often 24 hours. If you fail to meet the deadline, you may be unable to claim.

Of course, we’re not trying to put a damper on your holiday plans. As long as you’re sensible, there’s no reason you should fall prey to any of these scams – just remember to be on your guard as you’re lounging in the sun.

For more articles like this, check out Holiday rip-offs revealed and The worst travel insurance blunders.

**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**

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