Top Airport Scams to Avoid!

Yes! so you are all excited at the airport about your new coming adventure. But are you aware of the dangers all around you?

I have fallen to a few of these scams myself when I first started travelling. I don’t want you guys to do the same…..

You see outright criminals and other scammers are watching you. When walking through an airport there are hundreds of eyes on YOU. Not all are friendly, some are predatory.

BELOW IS A RUN-DOWN OF MY HARD-WON EXPERIENCES IN AIRPORTS OVER 13 YEARS OF TRAVEL

1. USB TERMINAL CHARGING SCAM

A new one and something new I recently learnt about! I am not embarrassed to say! But again guys my phone security is pretty good and I make sure apps don’t download anything they should. I also run security malware searches on my phone. Its amazing so many of us have security for our Laptops and PCs but NOT our phones. Huge vulnerability criminals are making vast sums from…. Don’t become one of their suckers!

2. PICKPOCKETS

I can confidently say guys I have never been pickpocketed. Ever. Simply because I have an aware look on my face and am alert. Also wearing a money belt helps to deter an ambitious sneak thief.

3. TAXI SCAMS

– TICKET TOUTS (Bangkok Airport in the terminal)

Very easy to counter once you have experienced this dozens and dozens of times like I have over many years….. Be assertive but calm. For many this is a criminal racket more lucrative (and safer) than dealing drugs. BEWARE they are the same calibre of criminal. Just don’t look like a typical dumb tourist and these guys will find easier pickings to con.

4. FAKE WIFI SCAM

Its so easy for criminals to walk into Airports anywhere in the world and set-up a Wifi Hotspot and wait lie a predator that has spun a web for naive and unsuspecting Travellers to connect to them. I think I even have in the past made this mistake (I have good security on my phone though).

Want to find out more about the dangers of Airports? Check out Forbes articles 17 most dangerous airports in the world!