Travel Scam: My Personal ExperienceHave you ever been a victim of a travel scam?
Let me tell you about an experience I had today (April 10, 2009). For those of you not familiar with my website
Travel Security And Safety,
I’m an American expat currently residing in
Ecuador.
The woman, with a sad look on her face and seeming distraught, proceeded to tell me how she was recently robbed. Apparently, she had all her belongings stolen, including her passport. She asked if I had any money to help replace here passport, which cost $80 USD. I immediately recognized this as a money scam. Unbeknownst to this woman (or criminal I should say) I had heard about travelers in the past falling for this trick. I also knew that all she had to do was go to her Embassy or Consulate, explain what had happened, and officials would have replaced her passport. No money? No worries. Most embassies will provide its citizens with either enough money to get something to eat or a hotel for a couple of nights. They will also assist with providing you a phone to contact someone in your home country to wire you money. I informed the woman of this and questioned her as to why she had not sought help with her government. She informed me that she had tried but no one would help her. Yea right, I thought. I politely denied her request and walked away wondering how many travelers or expats had fallen for this trick in the past. I love helping others and think everyone should do the same; however, its criminals like this who try to take advantage of others kindness. Do you have a story or personal experience involving a scam? If so,
contact me
and please let me know about the incident. I believe the only way that we, as travelers and expats, can protect each other from being scammed is to share our experiences.
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