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The 15 Biggest Travel Scams, and How to Avoid Them

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You know that old saying “there’s a sucker born every minute”? Don’t be one of them. Stay ahead of these surprisingly effective travel scams to keep your vacation plans from falling apart. The schemes below may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to travel cons, but preparing yourself for these common swindles is a good place to start.

Vacation Clubs

Wholesale travel clubs claim that you’ll have access to incredibly cheap vacations if you join. However, once you pay the joining fees, you find that the deals offered aren’t any better than what you can find for yourself online—for free. Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott , whose book Scammed lays out a helpful roadmap for being a responsible and effective shopper in a world of corporate swindles, has told SmarterTravel: “I’ve never come across a legitimate travel club. My advice is to run, don’t walk.”

Elliott advises that anyone considering joining a travel club do research with a very critical eye beforehand. Simply doing an internet search for the name of the travel company plus “travel scam” will usually reveal a host of problems experienced by other members. Also check the Better Business Bureau for complaints about the specific service before you buy.

Timeshare Sales

Ed Perkins, a longtime contributing editor at SmarterTravel, calls the up-front fees for selling your timeshare the biggest travel scam out there.

“Scammers promise to get you out from under, saying they have buyers, but all they really do is take a fee, upward of $400, and do nothing,” says Perkins.

Never pay up front to have someone help you sell your timeshare. If you want out, go to a licensed company and check them out with the Better Business Bureau before listing with them. If you’re having trouble getting out of your timeshare , work with a rental company and rent it out to recoup some of the money until you can sell.

Vacation Certificates

Ed Perkins also warns against prepaid vacation certificates: “Travel scams promise really great prices but deliver nothing. The idea here is to get the up-front money, then keep stalling: ‘Sorry, these dates are sold out; try again soon.’ They delay until people just quit trying.” Or the company charges huge additional fees to redeem the certificates, and the trip is considerably less luxurious than promised. Before prepaying for a vacation package, be sure to research fees and blackout dates, as well as the company’s reputation.

“Travel-Agent” Card Mills

Ah, the life of travel agents. Cheap hotels and airfares are thrown at their feet once they pull out their travel-agent ID cards, right? Wrong. Don’t believe the hype from outfits that promise to issue you a travel-agent ID that provides access to discounts. Scammers charge hundreds of dollars for these cards, but victims who shell out will quickly find that no place will accept the fakes, and they never see any discounts. The only way to avoid this travel scam is to not buy a travel-agent card if you’re not a travel agent—there’s really no legal way to get around it.

Car-Rental Collision Damage Waivers

Rick Steves calls the car-rental collision damage waivers (CDW) a “collision damage waiver racket” for a reason. When you rent a car, the company often pressures you to buy a CDW supplement, which will prevent you from having to pay a high insurance deductible if the car is damaged. (The deductible can be thousands of dollars before insurance kicks in.)

But most major credit cards already include deductible collision coverage for free , so check your credit-card terms and pay for the rental car with your credit card. Then you’ll be covered without having to shell out extra cash for phony insurance. Most credit-card collision coverage is secondary, meaning you have to claim from your regular insurance first. If you don’t want a claim on your insurance, you can buy third-party primary collision coverage from the booking agency for about $10-$11 a day. Or, if it’s pricey, you can instead buy coverage from an independent outlet; sites like Bonzah.com offer rental coverage from $7.99 per day. That’s about one-third of what the rental companies charge.

“You Won a Free Trip!”

If you’ve ever dropped your business card in a “win a free trip” drawing at a restaurant or signed up to win at a fair, you may have gotten a phone call, letter, or email claiming you’ve won a free vacation. These days, the hustle is often via robocall. Be wary—many of these “prizes” are actually booby traps in which you’ll have to pay hefty fees to claim the vacation or give your credit card number to “verify your eligibility,” resulting in identity theft. After a recent lull in monitoring these robocalls, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is again cracking down on them. If you’re scammed, get the names of resorts and airlines included in the prize and call them independently to verify the trip. Never give credit card information to someone who cold-calls you, and be sure to get details of the prize in writing before accepting.

Fake International Driving Permits

The FTC also warns against fake International Driving Permits (IDPs) . Some countries require tourists to have an IDP in addition to a U.S. driver’s license. However, there are only two American associations that are legally authorized to issue IDPs—the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Fraudulent companies sell fake IDPs over the Internet, but you’ll pay hundreds of dollars for a permit only to face legal problems for using the imposter IDs in another country.

The Bait and Switch

The hotel you’re thinking of booking is suspiciously cheap, but the property’s website makes it look beautiful and centrally located. When you arrive, the hotel is run-down, missing amenities, and in a deserted part of town—and it won’t refund your money. Avoid this travel scam by using websites like Oyster (one of SmarterTravel’s sister sites) and TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent site) to read real customer reviews and see honest photos of the property.

“Grandparent” Travel Scams

Even if you’re not currently traveling, you can still be the victim of a travel scam: The State Department warns that scammers will call an older relative or friend of someone who’s away on vacation and pretend to be the traveler in desperate need of help. The scammer usually poses as the traveler or a foreign government official and directs the victim to wire a large sum of money, citing an array of things: They have been robbed and need money to return to the United States, or they have run into legal trouble and need bail money. Sometimes the scammer will even pretend to be someone from the U.S. embassy calling on behalf of the relative for money. Never wire money in response to a suspicious phone call; instead contact the State Department to ask if the situation is legitimate, or call your relative directly. If you encounter this scam, the FBI advises you report it to local authorities or a state consumer protection agency. You can also file a complaint with the FCC .

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) offers the following advice to prevent “grandparent” travel scams:

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mothers’ maiden names, passwords, or other identifying information in response to suspicious calls or to callers demanding immediate action. Scammers can spoof the caller ID of their number to make it appear to be from a trusted source. If a caller claiming to represent a company or a government agency asks for personal information, hang up and verify the authenticity of the request by contacting the company or agency yourself, using information found on its official website or through other means such as the phone book. If a caller claims to represent a company with which you have an account—such as a utility or a bank—hang up and check the contact information on a recent bill or statement, then call the company back yourself.

Rental Property Scam

Rule of thumb: Never go to Craigslist (or anything similar) for a rental home. Scammers will place an ad and ask the victim to wire money to secure the vacation rental—and then disappear. Or they’ll have you send money to them rather than to the actual property owner. Avoid the rental scam risk by going through a reputable vacation rental site with protections and insurance guarantees such as Airbnb , HomeAway , or SmarterTravel’s sister site FlipKey , all of which will protect your money from fraudsters.

Bogus Travel Agents

Don’t trust a tour operator or packager you don’t know of or can’t find reviews of easily online—especially with a big payment. An even more worrisome version of these travel scams in the U.S. is fake versions of websites: You search for a hotel or tour and get through to what looks like a legitimate website from a known company. But it isn’t: It’s a copy-cat version run by a scamster who paid a lot of money for a good search engine position. At best, after you make a payment, the hotel will honor your reservation—but probably at a higher price than you should have paid. At worst, you get nothing.

Take a close look at the website’s URL. Unsure if it’s right? Do a new search to find the company’s homepage and compare it to the first half of the link—any rogue characters, numbers, or symbols might mean it’s a fake. You should also never pay for a service via wire transfer, or any other irreversible money-transfer system.

Currency Short-Changing

A longstanding travel scam relies on tourists’ unfamiliarity with a foreign currency. This can take various forms: counterfeit bills, miscounting change, mixing smaller bills into what should be a pile of larger notes, etc. Get to know the bills of any country you visit, and limit the amount of foreign currency you exchange and have with you at any time. Get your foreign currency from an ATM, and put all your big-ticket purchases on a credit card.

Counterfeit Event Tickets

These days, high-tech forging can make almost any piece of paper or cardboard look authentic. Don’t buy a high-priced ticket (or even a low-priced one) to a sold-out event from someone on the street or via an unfamiliar website. You might be turned away at the gate. Buy from an authorized source—the box office or an online dealer that’s a verified reseller.

Fake Tour Guides

Have you ever been walking in a tourist-frequented area and had someone approach you offering to be your guide? Of course, you would have no idea in this situation whether this person has any useful knowledge of the city, but you may be coaxed into a nearby store that they claim offers the “best” prices on local specialties.

Pre-arrange a guide through an official tourism office or a local travel agency so you can compare prices and know what you’re getting. I once arranged the best local guide I ever had through an American Express agency. A university history professor showed us the fantastic National Museum of Damascus in Syria.

Credit Card Fraud

One of many potential credit card fraud risks is the familiar “verification call” gambit. In this travel scam, within a few hours of checking into a hotel, you get a call from someone claiming to be at the front desk to “verify” the details of the card you used. Of course, that caller is a scammer with no connection to the hotel who just wants to get your card data. In this and any other situations, be highly suspicious of anyone who calls you asking for credit or debit card information, no matter how plausible the excuse may seem. Tell the caller you’ll be right down to settle the problem, and instead call a known number, like the hotel’s direct line, to settle whatever account is involved.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Avoid Counterfeit Money While Traveling
• 6 Cruise Scams You Should Never Fall For
• Europe Travel Scams to Watch Out For

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2012. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Caroline Morse Teel and Ed Perkins contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Scam alert: These apps look legit, but they will steal your money

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Just in time for the holiday shopping season, hundreds of fake retail and product apps have found their way into Apple’s App Store recently — enticing iPhone users with all kinds of fake deals, discounts and offers.

And it’s not just Apple users who are at risk, shoppers need to take caution when downloading any app that asks for your personal information, especially credit card or bank account info.

Read more:  Why you need two-factor authentication on every account

Scammers targeting consumers within smartphones apps

According to a recent  report , more people are now accessing the Internet on a mobile device than on a desktop computer. So just like companies, websites, media and everyone else — criminals are taking advantage of the ability to capture consumers’ attention where they already are — on their smartphones.

The ability to text, chat, email, shop, check your bank account and other accounts right from the palm of your hand is pretty convenient — but it can also be dangerous.

According to a recent report, hundreds of knock-off shopping apps have been recently listed on the App Store — disguised at legit retailers offering some type of big discount — ranging from high-end luxury brands to department stores and even Dollar Tree.

One of these bogus apps used a Coach label, offering ‘an extra 20% off’ bags, shoes and accessories. Coach doesn’t have an app. Another one claimed to offer discounts of 30% to 50% off Michael  Kors  products — also not real.

“We’re seeing a barrage of fake apps,” Chris Mason, chief executive of Branding Brand, a Pittsburgh company that helps retailers build and maintain apps, told The New York Times. Mason also said that this is the first time he’s seen so many fake apps emerge in such a short period of time.

Potential risks of using a fake app

While some counterfeit apps are harmless, or at least they may not pose any type of real threat to you as a consumer, there are others that can do some serious damage.

When you download a fake app, there are several ways criminals could take advantage of you. Here are a few examples:

• Download malware onto to your device: Criminals could then track your activity and also gain access to any information stored in your device, including any personal information and sensitive information.  
• Steal your payment info:  If you’re prompted to enter your payment information to to buy something within the app, you just gave thieves access to your credit card and/or bank account.  
• Steal your Facebook or other account credentials:  If the app prompts you to use another account log in to access the app, criminals can then get into whatever account you provided.

Just like other types of phishing and online scams, criminals make these counterfeit apps look just as legit as official apps available in the App Store or anywhere else.

On top of this, scammers are also buying ad space within the App Store.

After Apple recently introduced search ads, so companies can buy key search terms to have their app show up higher in search results within the App Store, criminals discovered an easy way to get users to download their bogus apps.

All a scammer has to do is simply buy the key words, and voila — great exposure for a fake app that steals people’s money.

And while a lot of these recent fake apps were found in Apple’s App Store, there are plenty of them targeting non-iPhone users, too!

What these fake apps look like

Using email, text, phone calls, social media , and now apps, scammers are infiltrating Americans’ everyday routine in any way that they can.

With more and more consumers searching for content and apps related to shopping, coupons and deals, criminals are luring in unsuspecting users with ‘great’ offers on products that are typically very expensive.

When users think they’re getting a great discount on luxury brand items — or any item, really — they often overlook one very crucial question:  is this too good to be true?  If the answer  could  be yes, then yes, it probably is too good to be true.

For companies and brands that do have official apps, scammers create fake ones that look just like the real thing — but offer incredible deals and discounts you can’t get on the official apps. 

And when it comes time to check out, the bogus app has a checkout form and process just like any official app — but instead of buying a product, you just end up sending a bunch of cash directly to criminals.

Read more: New Facebook scam luring people in with fake offers

How to protect yourself

Scammers can do a lot of damage with these types of fake apps — not only can they steal the cash you hand over, but they can also use your personal information to make more fraudulent charges, open accounts in your name and do other things that can destroy your financial life.

So when it comes to protecting your information and money, there are a few important things to keep in mind!

• If you don’t recognize the company name, research the app and company before you download it: Doing a quick search online can help you spot a potentially fake app. Just search the name of the app, the company name and ‘reviews,’ and that should give you some answers.  
• If an app appears to be a retailer’s official app, check the company’s website before you download it:  Before you download what appears to be an official app, check out the company’s website to find out if they even have an app, and if they do, follow the direct link on the company’s website. Taking a few minutes to do this can save you a lot of wasted money!  
• Never use a debit card in an app or online: If criminals get access to your debit card number, they can empty your bank account and cause even more potentially devastating damage to your financial life!  When shopping online or in an app, only use a credit card! You have a lot more protections under the law if your info is stolen.  
• Check your accounts daily:  This is the best way to spot fraud! If you check your accounts every day, you can spot and report any potential fraudulent activity quickly, in order to get your money back and avoid more damage.

More tips to protect yourself online:

• Free software to protect your devices
• 3 things to do if your device is infected with a virus
• Facebook privacy scam is back and catching people off guard
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The weirdly common, very expensive travel scam you should avoid

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Kathy could have sworn she called Qatar Airways to change her flight last spring. Looking through her call records now, she clearly didn’t. Instead, she wound up talking to a third-party booker called Infinity Travels. She has paid Infinity thousands of dollars she may never get back, even after spending countless hours trying.

Her labyrinth of a saga is hard to keep straight. In November 2022, she realized she would need to fly back home to Canada early from a trip to visit her husband in the Middle East scheduled for the following March. She called to make the switch. Kathy, who asked to withhold her last name to protect her privacy, spent six hours on the phone in the endeavor.

Initially, she says she was told she’d need to spend 1,650 Canadian dollars on a new flight and would get a CA$2,700 credit from the airline — she wanted a refund, not a credit, and was transferred to a supposed supervisor. The next agent told her she needed to pay CA$6,990 for the new flight and that she’d receive a refund of CA$8,080 after she had taken her departing flights. She took the deal, which was confirmed in an email from Infinity. “It was dumb of me,” she says. “But by this time it was 1 am and I was so tired.”

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That refund never came through, and Kathy has been locked in a battle with Infinity for months, which is taking place over WhatsApp and the phone. Infinity claimed the initial agent who offered her the refund was fired for making unauthorized deals. A subsequent agent she spoke to — while on her vacation — told her they would refund CA$4,250, nearly half the original amount promised. That was supposed to come through if she agreed not to dispute the CA$6,990 charge, which she did. That agent seems to have disappeared, too, after allegedly being promoted to a new job.

Kathy isn’t sure how she found that wrong number to make her flight change, but it seems likely she did an internet search and called the number that came up without checking its provenance. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” she says. “For me, the money sucks to lose, but it’s more like how are they getting away with doing this? Because I’m sure there are other people.”

There are. A look at TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau shows others have had similarly confusing experiences with Infinity.

People all over the world get sucked into a variety of travel-related schemes and scams all the time. In this day and age of vacation, sketchy websites and companies and third-party bookers abound.

Third-party booking websites and companies — meaning entities consumers can use to handle reservations without dealing directly with, for example, an airline — are everywhere. Not all of them are bad. Plenty of people use them without issue all the time, including popular ones such as Expedia, Travelocity, and Booking.com. But some of them employ shady and even fraudulent tactics.

These operations seek to get consumers’ money by saying they’ll take care of their travel plans, booking their plane tickets, hotels, and rental cars, or even helping them get their passports faster. They then go on to charge exorbitant fees for executing the transaction or making minor changes and often give consumers the runaround. Sometimes, they never reserve anything at all. Victims of these scams show up at the airport for a flight that doesn’t exist, or appear at a hotel to sleep in a room that was never booked, and their money’s just gone.

Feelings can run high when people travel, whether they’re going to an event or spending time with family and friends or just getting a much-needed and much-anticipated break. “That’s one thing scammers prey on,” said Melanie McGovern, director of public relations and social media for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, “the emotion of it all.”

Kathy’s emotions got the better of her the night she made that payment to Infinity — endless hours on the phone will do that to you. Since then, she has gotten about CA$325 back from Qatar Airways. After months of wrangling (and after I reached out for comment for this story), Infinity returned CA$1,816 to her. She’s got all of the documentation from the ordeal: emails, text messages, recorded phone calls. It’s just not clear whether any of that matters.

Kathy still has that number she first called saved in her phone as “Qatar Airways Help,” even though that’s not what it is. When you call the number now, the person on the other end of the line simply says, “Reservations.” It’s easy to see how people get tricked.

Qatar Airways said in a statement that Infinity is a travel agent that is entitled to sell its tickets, like many others, but that as an airline, “we do not forward phone calls to travel agents, and we do not accept agents making promises on our behalf.” Infinity said in an email it was “disappointed to hear about the poor experience by this individual” and did not respond to a follow-up email.

One of the primary ways fraudulent third-party companies suck people in is with the promise of a deal. They offer a price that seems too good to be true — because it is — and people’s internet-driven deal-hunting instincts take over.

“The biggest thing we see are the people who are using a third-party website trying to get something a little bit cheaper,” McGovern said. “We know travel can be really, really expensive, and ... people are trying to find an alternative.”

That’s what happened to Sarah, who asked for her last name to be withheld to protect her privacy, when she was trying to snag a flight to Iceland to see the northern lights in late 2022. Most of the flights she found were above her $800 budget, but she found one option for $755 from a website called Travelcation. After booking the trip, she received an email from the company saying the fare she had agreed to was no longer available and had increased to $995.

Sarah noted the email had weird language and grammatical errors, as did the company’s website, upon further inspection. She then googled “Travelcation scams.” “I started reading these horror stories,” she says. She responded to the email saying she didn’t agree to the new price and alerted her bank that any attempted charge would be unauthorized. “My card never ended up getting charged, so I managed to avoid the worst of it,” she says. She took a budget-friendlier trip to Puerto Rico instead.

A spokesperson for Travelcation said in an email that in the travel industry it’s “not uncommon” for prices to fluctuate because of issues such as airline ticket availability, dynamic pricing, taxes, fees, and other charges added during the booking process.

What is uncommon, or at least should be, is for prices to fluctuate after booking.

Reporting for this story, I spoke with multiple experts and individuals about their experiences with scammy websites and travel agencies and combed through complaints to the Better Business Bureau. Many of the strategies these entities employ are quite simple — and effective.

Some websites will figure out how to game search engines like Google . Travelers might think they’re calling Delta or Hilton or Hertz but are actually on the phone with someone else because they just called whatever number came up in search results or on some website without verifying it’s right. The numbers can be completely different from the actual phone number, or they might be one or two off — and 888 instead of 800.

In the same vein, consumers wind up on these websites because they appear in their searches, sometimes because those websites have paid to rank higher. People then book there, not realizing the website is untrustworthy. The site in question then follows up with a call or email saying that the price of the booking has increased to try to squeeze more out of consumers there, or they charge super-high fees for small changes. (Assuming they make the booking at all, which doesn’t always happen.)

Jim still isn’t entirely sure how he wound up in his predicament. He called Delta’s phone number on a voice over internet service (VoIP) to book a flight to San Francisco; in his first interaction, everything seemed fine. He got a confirmation email from a company called Boketo, not Delta, but he didn’t immediately notice. A while later, he realized his middle initial was incorrect on the reservation, so he called to change it. After agreeing to pay $200 and receiving a follow-up email, this time from an outfit called Travel Makers, it dawned on him he had been duped. “That’s when I recognized that I’m an idiot,” he says.

Jim reported the charges as fraud to his credit card company, which he thought would be the end of it. But in the lead-up to his trip, he says the agent he first dealt with began calling him and harassing him, saying she would not issue his tickets unless he restored the $200 payment. In the end, the flights went just fine, although Jim was worried until he successfully boarded his plane. He asked for his last name to be withheld out of fear of more harassment from the agent.

Jim’s phone records show he did indeed call Delta’s real number, which is quite disturbing. A spokesperson for Delta recommended consumers take extra precautions when using VoIP internet calling to make sure their service is secure. “Whenever we become aware of an alleged scam targeting our customers, including in this situation, we immediately conduct an investigation. Using the facts gained from an investigation, when able, we can then address each unique situation as appropriate with the necessary legal means at our disposal,” the spokesperson said.

Boketo did not respond to a request for comment for this story. When I reached out to Travel Makers for comment, someone purporting to be from the company said that it has nothing to do with Boketo and that the situation “seems like a case of misplaced anger.” They defended the extra $200 charge. Their email address was listed as Fly Cheapest Online.

There is no surefire way to scam-proof your life or even your next vacation, but there are measures you can take to try to protect yourself.

The first step is really to slow down, take a deep breath, and pay attention to what you’re doing, said Amy Nofziger, the director of fraud victim support with AARP. It’s not always easy — people’s lives are busy, and we’re often distracted or in a hurry or stressed. But those situations are where we’re likeliest to make mistakes.

Nofziger also said to be wary of offers that are really out of step with the rest of the market. “If you find the best deal on a flight or on a car, I would be really suspect of why it’s the best deal. Go into this with the mindset that I think this is a scam until I’m proven otherwise,” she says. “Even if you think you’re going to get the deal of the century, they’re going to get the deal of the century, not you.”

If the website’s charging you $500 less than everywhere else, question why that might be. Yes, it feels good to beat the system, but there might not be a system to beat. This goes not only for hotels and flights but also, for example, for expedited passport processing, which Nofziger says AARP gets complaints about weekly. Consumers pay some website extra to get their passports faster, only to hand over sensitive personal information in exchange for no quicker service. “There really is no ‘beat the system’ with the State Department,” she says. “I suggest everyone pull their passport out today, look at when it expires, and start the process.”

If you see a website offering what appears to be a good deal, open up another browser and type the name of that site in along with words like “scam,” “fraud,” and “reviews.” You might save yourself a real headache, depending on what you find. “Do your research,” McGovern says.

Experts say it generally is better to book directly with the hotel or airline or whatever you’re trying to accomplish, or at least to start there. And triple-check the number you’re calling. Really. “Travel agents can be reputable ... but you need to be clear that who you’re talking to is who you intended to talk to,” says Summer Hull, director of content at The Points Guy. “If you intended to talk to American Airlines and you’re now talking to a travel agency, that’s a red flag.”

You should also be suspicious if you get a follow-up phone call asking for more information. “Never provide personal information to an inbound call, even to an airline,” Hull says. “They should not be calling you to ask for your confirmation number or your credit card number or your flight plan,” she said. If you’re not sure it’s legitimate, say you’ll call them back.

There can be some recourse in the event you are scammed. You can try to dispute charges as fraud with your credit card company, which is why it’s always best to pay with a credit card (and not with Venmo, crypto, or a prepaid card). You can also report your experiences on websites such as the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, and other places, and, if necessary, contact law enforcement. Still, options are limited.

“Most people don’t think they’re ever going to be scammed, but unfortunately, I’ve had this job for 21 years, and I don’t see it going away anytime soon,” Nofziger says.

As for Kathy, she remains stuck in what feels like a doom loop, most of her refund still pending.

We live in a world that’s constantly trying to sucker us and trick us, where we’re always surrounded by scams big and small. It can feel impossible to navigate. Every two weeks, join Emily Stewart to look at all the little ways our economic systems control and manipulate the average person. Welcome to The Big Squeeze .

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Have ideas for a future column or thoughts on this one? Email [email protected] .

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Avoid Scams When You Travel

Common Travel Scams

Signs of a scam, 3 ways to avoid travel scams, how to shop for travel, report travel scams, “free” vacations.

You’ve probably seen ads online for “free” vacations. Or you may have gotten emails, calls, or text messages saying you’ve won a vacation, even though you never entered a contest. If you respond to these offers, you’ll quickly learn that you have to pay some fees and taxes first — so your “free” vacation isn’t really free. A legitimate company won’t ask you to pay for a free prize.

Robocalls about vacation deals

You might get robocalls offering you vacation deals at a discounted price. Robocalls from companies trying to sell you something are illegal unless the companies got written permission, directly from you, to call you that way. If someone is already breaking the law by robocalling you without permission, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. At the very least, it’s a company you don’t want to do business with.

International travel document scams

You might see sites that claim to be able to help you get an international travel visa, passport, or other documents. These sites are just copycats of the U.S. Department of State website. But these sites charge you high fees, including fees for services that are free on the U.S. Department of State's website.

International driving permit scams

An international driving permit (IDP) translates your government-issued driver’s license into 10 languages. Scammers create websites to sell fake IDPs, or try to sell them to you in person or some other way. If you buy a fake IDP, you’ll be paying for a worthless document. But, even worse, you also could face legal problems or travel delays if you’re detained for using it to drive in a foreign country. Only the  U.S. Department of State , the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs.

Vacation home scams

These days, it’s easy to connect directly with property owners who advertise their vacation homes online. But scammers are also trying to get your rental booking . For example, they hijack real rental listings and advertise them as their own, so when you show up for your vacation, you find out that other people are also booked for the same property. You have no place to stay, and your money is gone. Other scammers don’t bother with real rentals — they make up listings for places that aren’t really for rent or don’t exist.

Charter flight scams

You may get a flyer in the mail, see an ad, or hear from someone in your community about an offer to travel by private plane to some place you’d like to go. The offer may even include lodging and sightseeing tours. You think you’re signing up for a charter flight and vacation package, but after you pay, you find out it’s all a scam. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Special Authorities Division maintains a list of approved public charter flights . If the charter filing is not approved by DOT before the package is sold, you’re probably dealing with a dishonest charter operator.

• Scammers say it's a “free” vacation that you have to pay for. They often try to get your attention by saying you won something, but then making you pay to get it. If you have to pay, it’s not really free — and all those fees and taxes can add up to hundreds of dollars.
• Scammers don't give specific details about the travel offer. The offer says you’ll stay at a “five-star” resort or go on a “luxury” cruise ship. But if the organizer can’t or won’t give you more specific details, like the address of the hotel or the cruise company's name, walk away. 
• Scammers say the only way to pay for your vacation rental is by wire transfer , gift card , or cryptocurrency . This is how they ask you to pay because once they’ve collected the money, it’s almost impossible to get it back. That’s a scam, every time.
• Scammers pressure you to make a quick decision about a vacation package or rental. If someone says you have to decide whether to buy a travel package or rent a vacation property right away, don’t do it. Scammers want to rush you. So move on and find another option.
• Scammers advertise premium vacation properties for super cheap prices. Is the rent a lot less than comparable rentals? Below-market rent can be a sign of a scam. 
• Don’t sign or pay until you know  the terms  of the deal. Get a copy of the cancellation and refund policies before you pay. If you can’t get those details, walk away. Say “no thanks” to anyone who tries to rush you without giving you time to consider the offer.
• Do some research. Look up travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” See what others say about them before you commit. Also, check that the address of the property really exists. If the property is located in a resort, call the front desk and confirm their location and other details on the contract.
• Don’t pay with wire transfers , gift cards , or cryptocurrency . Dishonest travel package promoters might tell you to pay in one of these ways, but that’s a sure sign of a scam. If you pay with wire transfers, gifts cards, or cryptocurrency and there’s a problem with what you paid for, you’ll lose your money, and there’s likely no way to track it or get it back.
• Get recommendations from trusted sources. Talk to family and friends or other trusted sources about good travel agencies, vacation rentals, hotels, and travel packages.
• Check out comparison websites and apps. Travel apps can help you search for airfares and hotel rates, and some even give you fare alerts and real-time deals. But make sure you know whether you’re buying from the app company or the actual airline or resort. It can affect things like whether you can get a refund or travel points, and the price for services like changing or canceling a flight. Also, make sure you know whether you’re buying a ticket or just making a reservation.
• Ask about mandatory hotel “resort fees” and taxes. You can’t compare rates for different hotels unless you know about all the fees. If you’re not sure whether a hotel’s website is showing you the total price, call the hotel and ask about a “resort fee” or any other mandatory charge. Also ask about taxes, which may be significant in many places.
• If you’re buying travel insurance, be sure the agency is licensed . Find out whether an agency is licensed at the website of the US Travel Insurance Association . Make a copy of your insurance card to take with you when you go on the trip.
• Check that charter flights are listed on the approved public charter flights of the U.S. Department of Transportation before you pay.  Also, check out the charter’s operator with local travel agents to see if they know if the operator is legitimate, or contact the American Society of Travel Advisors . The U.S. Department of Transportation’s website has more tips on what to know about charter flights.

If you think you may have been targeted by a travel scam, report it to

• the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• your state attorney general

10 common travel scams, and how to protect yourself when traveling

Editor's Note

Travel can be a rewarding and relaxing experience — some of my favorite memories are from trips I've taken with friends or by myself.

However, scam artists are everywhere, and anyone can fall prey to a scheme — especially if you're in an unfamiliar place. Also, some scams specifically target certain groups of people, such as women, older travelers or kids.

The Federal Trade Commission received nearly 54,000 reports of travel scams in 2021, with $95 million in total reported losses for consumers and a median loss of $1,112 per person.

Safety is important when planning travel, so we've compiled a list of common travel scams, how to spot them and ways to protect your wallet and personal information while you're away from home.

New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our daily newsletter .

This certainly isn't an exhaustive list of all the types of scams you may encounter while traveling, but it will give you an idea of some of the most common travel scams and how to spot them.

Timeshare and vacation club scams

Timeshare scams are easily one of the most lucrative travel scams. The FTC and many state attorney general offices have cracked down hard on this type of fraud, but it can still happen. These scams can be broken down into two main types: timeshare presentation scams and timeshare resale scams.

A timeshare is a real estate property that is sold to multiple buyers with each allotted a certain amount of time at the property each year (usually one week).

Oftentimes, timeshare sellers will host presentations with the promise of a free hotel stay or gift for those who attend. Do your research before you jump on what seems like a too-good-to-be-true deal.

Before attending a timeshare presentation, make sure you research the specific developer selling the timeshares. You can check out the Better Business Bureau website to look up complaints against the developer and get a better picture of other people's experiences.

Related: I suffered through a timeshare sales presentation for a cheap vacation

Timeshare scams can happen on the backend of a deal, too.

Once you purchase a timeshare, it can be very difficult to resell your share. Unfortunately, this is where scammers often lurk. Someone may promise to sell your timeshare quickly and painlessly for an upfront fee. Once that fee is paid, they either disappear or claim that they were unsuccessful.

If you do decide to go with a resale company, make sure to look up relevant laws in the state or country where your timeshare is located (or reach out to a lawyer to help). Also, when you do meet with a company, don't sign anything at the first meeting. Take any documents home and read through the fine print before you make a decision.

Multilevel marketing scams

Multilevel marketing scams, or MLMs, work similarly to pyramid schemes with a direct sales model that encourages existing members to recruit new members, while also paying into the parent company for special access. For travel, you're asked to pay a monthly price for credits you can apply to the cost of the cruise or a vacation. However, after you've paid every month, you still need to add more to cover your "upgraded" cruise fee. But wait, there's a way around this, says the company. Simply sign up some friends and family for the same plan and you'll get more credits. The more people you sign up, the better. And of course, the people you've brought on board with you can sign up more members, too. And yet, the cost of your dream vacation is still just out of reach, so you have to keep signing people up and paying monthly, and so on and so on.

You may have seen this model with vitamins, diet cookies, lawn fertilizer or other pay-to-play MLMs. Before you commit to one of these for cruises or travel, look carefully at what you'll be paying upfront before you bring on any other "investors." In most, if not all cases, you can get the same, if not better, value from booking directly with a cruise line or authorized travel agent.

Internet search scams

In a recent article, Travel Weekly identified "flyer beware" scams where an internet search for an airline customer service phone number results in second-party numbers. These phone numbers seem legitimate. However, instead of connecting you directly with the airline, they instead route you to unofficial call centers that don't reveal their affiliations. Then, they bill you not only for exorbitantly priced tickets but also for high charges -- often in the $500 range -- tacked onto the nonrefundable airline tickets.

To counter this scam, it's important to look closely at the listings when you search for an airline's customer service number online -- the first option that pops up isn't necessarily the official one. Copy and paste the number into the search bar to see its official registration. Also, click through the link to the website it's associated with, and then find the homepage. It should then be clear where you've landed.

Once you arrive at your destination, there is a new bucket of deceits you need to be alert to, including the taxi scam. This common scheme happens when you take a taxi or another car service in an unfamiliar destination where rates are determined by the distance of the drive. Your driver may take a much longer, often circuitous route to get to your destination in order to maximize the cost of your fare.

The age of Google Maps makes it easier to thwart one of these scams, even in an area you're not familiar with. Whenever possible, pull up the route on your smartphone's map app to make sure your driver is actually taking you on the most direct route.

If you suspect you're being led astray, ask for them to take the more direct route, then get a receipt and also take a picture of the registration number or the driver's ID card so you can follow up with local authorities or your credit card company later if need be.

Related: How to avoid getting scammed by your taxi driver

In addition, always take licensed cabs or taxis, or use a reputable ride-hailing app (the latter is a good way to know the price in advance and have proof of your journey request).

'Incorrect change' scams

If you're traveling to a place with an unfamiliar currency, someone may try to take advantage of this by giving you incorrect change or insisting you gave them a different bill than you did. This is especially common in places where cash is used more regularly and different bills look similar.

To protect yourself, research the currency at your destination before you travel so you're familiar with it when you arrive. Also, count your change before walking away to make sure you get the right amount.

Ticket scams

People will often try to sell tickets to attractions, buses, trains and more outside of venues and transportation stations. They'll claim the tickets are discounted or offer them as a way to jump the line. However, these tickets can be fake or expired when you try to actually use them. Also, as technology has improved over the years, so have these fake tickets. They can look almost identical to the real thing.

The best way to avoid this is to always purchase any tickets — whether to a concert, a tourist attraction, a bus, a train or a ferry – from an official ticket booth or the official website. Or, work with your hotel concierge to secure admission to hard-to-access venues.

'Attraction closed' scams

You may come across someone claiming an attraction you want to visit, a show you want to see or even a train or ferry you have tickets for is closed. Then they'll direct you somewhere else where you'll be pressured to pay for tickets or buy something.

No matter what someone outside a venue or transportation station tells you, always get your information from the ticket booth or official website as to whether something is closed.

If you made a reservation or bought tickets for a certain time, it's more than likely open. After all, why would an attraction sell you a ticket for something that's closed or unavailable?

'Free item' scams

We've all heard the phrase "if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."

When you travel, you may be approached by someone with "free" merchandise. Maybe they offer you free food and drinks, or maybe they try to put a bracelet around your wrist. In major tourism areas, you may be asked if you want your picture taken in front of certain attractions or with dressed-up characters on the street.

Be cautious anytime anyone offers anything that is "free," because you'll often be required to pay for it after the fact. If someone approaches you and tries to put something on your body, refuse firmly and give anything they did put on you back to them immediately.

Credit card-skimming scams

No matter who you are or where you go, there's a chance someone could use a card skimmer to steal your credit card information.

Card skimming comes in many forms. Some scammers use a skimmer attached to an ATM or gas pump. Sometimes restaurant workers may skim your card when you pay the bill. You may even have your card skimmed with a handheld device.

Credit cards have come a long way over the years in terms of payment security, and pretty much every credit card out there will have fraud protection. That doesn't mean credit card fraud isn't still a major concern.

When you're using your card at an ATM or at the pump, pay attention to the card reader. Does it stick out farther than normal? Is the card reader loose?

Some gas stations put a seal over the card reader panel so you know it hasn't been tampered with, so check that as well. If anyone makes an excuse to be close to you (which is already a bit of a red flag because of COVID-19 and social distancing measures), they may be trying to steal your card details with a handheld wireless device.

Credit card skimmers can also use near-field communication and radio-frequency identification devices to steal your credit card information.

While it's not nearly as common as people using skimmers on ATMs or other card readers, it can still happen. Contactless credit cards and EMV chip cards are not immune, either — cards still come with a magnetic stripe that RFID readers can grab information from and NFC devices can read your contactless card.

Of course, chip and contactless cards both have built-in safety nets that make it harder for scammers to actually use your credit card details once they have them. That doesn't make it impossible, though.

The best thing you can do is monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and make sure you keep your wallet in a secure place (your back pocket does not qualify) while you travel. If you want to go all-out against contactless scanners, you can buy an RFID-blocking wallet, but there is debate in the payments security space over whether they are a worthwhile purchase.

When I travel, I make sure to log in to my bank apps (never on public Wi-Fi, though) once per day to make sure no unauthorized charges have popped up. If you do notice suspicious activity on your account, many issuers allow you to request a freeze on your account via the app or online.

Related: How to spot and report credit card fraud

Related: 15 TPG editor-approved passport holders to buy before your next trip

Public Wi-Fi network scams

Free Wi-Fi networks can be a godsend when you are traveling — especially if you don't have a roaming data package for your phone.

However, public Wi-Fi hot spots are almost always lax on security. That means someone can steal personal information while you use the network, including bank and credit card account information if you log in while using them. If you do use a public network at a coffee shop, airport or other public space, be wary of logging in to any sensitive sites like your bank or medical profiles.

Related: How to secure your data when using public Wi-Fi

A virtual private network is a popular way to ensure your connection is secure no matter where you go. These work by routing your internet connection through a private server (owned by your VPN company) so that data transmitted comes from the VPN rather than your computer.

This hides your IP address and encrypts your data so that hackers and other entities that might want to snoop through your personal information hit a dead end. It's a great investment whether you travel all the time or just like to visit your local coffee shop that offers free Wi-Fi. They generally cost less than $20 per month (and that's at the expensive end of the spectrum).

Not all VPNs are created equal, so do your research on the best one for your needs. Can you find a VPN that costs less than $10 per year? Yes. Is that VPN worth it? Debatable.

In addition, if you have a smartphone or other device, make sure it's password protected. Most people likely have some sort of passcode set up on their phone — especially since the inception of fingerprint and facial IDs on smartphones. You may not think about the importance of a strong password on your personal laptop or tablet, though.

Set up a password or PIN on all your devices so if the worst case happens and they get stolen, someone will have a much harder time breaking into them.

Bottom line

Travel scams are more common than you might think — tens of thousands of U.S. citizens alone report being scammed each year.

Scammers are smart, and many scams target specific groups of individuals who may be more vulnerable while traveling, such as women traveling alone, older travelers and kids.

Travel is meant to be a fun and rewarding experience, and getting scammed can put a real damper on any trip.

Knowing the kinds of scams that exist can help you protect yourself and your traveling companions while you are away from home. Hopefully, this guide has outlined how to spot some of the most common dangers.

Additional reporting by Melissa Klurman.

Don’t Fall for This Online Airfare Scam—Here’s What to Watch Out For

Found an airfare booking site with incredibly cheap plane tickets? Read this before you book.

By Zac Thompson

April 28, 2022

One of the most common scams in air travel, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), is what we'll call the Fake Fare Flimflam.

The perpetrators of this particular con take advantage of bargain seekers willing to believe in too-good-to-be-true airfares found online. But unfortunately, the victims end up paying a lot more—and get precisely zilch.

Here's how to spot the grift and evade the grifters.

At the BBB's Scam Tracker , a user-submitted post dated April 19, 2022, describes what sounds like a textbook example of the Fake Fare Flimflam.

"I booked a flight from [a] website," the user writes. "The price was about $50 lower than other booking sites I saw. After providing my credit card information, I received an email with confirmation that I had made a reservation, but no flight tickets were attached. Later the same day, I received a phone call and then a voicemail from [the company] asking that I call back to confirm my reservation. I called and they told me that I would need to pay an extra $200 or so on top of the original price to get my seat."

That little tale has more red flags than a Marxist rally. 

It's fairly easy for scammers to set up fake airfare booking sites—or even near-clones, with almost identical URLs, of real third-party booking sites like Expedia or Hotwire—and advertise counterfeit tickets from legit airlines, sometimes using copied logos and other deceptively reassuring text and imagery to persuade you to enter your credit card information. 

The fraudsters will even send you a confirmation email from the dummy site with the details of your upcoming trip—but if you look closer, you'll notice there are no actual plane tickets attached. 

As the Scam Tracker poster related, sometimes you'll get a phone call from the (fake) travel booking company after you've purchased your (fake) plane ticket using your (real) credit card, and a representative will feed you some cockamamie story about needing to verify your personal or banking information or to charge additional fees to your card in order to confirm or finalize your seats on the plane. The company rep may also claim you need to cover the difference for a sudden increase in the price of the fare. 

This, friends, is bull.

An honest third-party travel booking site would never call you up after a purchase to solicit additional details or ask you to approve more charges, and airlines can't jack up the price of plane tickets after you've bought them, either (unless you initiate a change yourself).

As Fast Company puts it , "Once you buy tickets, they’re yours at that price with no increase to come." 

Consumers who are duped by the scam usually discover the awful truth when they contact the airline using the carrier's customer service channels to complain about the extra fees or to inquire about the whereabouts of the missing tickets. 

The airline's agent soon finds, of course, that the caller has no reservation for a flight—the scammer has charged the credit card and taken the money, and the scammee is out hundreds of dollars.

How to Avoid Airfare Booking Site Scams

To make sure you don't blow your travel budget without actually getting to travel, the BBB recommends taking these common-sense steps:

• Do some research before buying plane tickets from a website you've never encountered before. Search for online reviews and complaints about the company. See if the business has a rating at BBB.org . Consult the meticulously researched, regularly updated ranking of airfare search engines here at Frommer's . Don't let a tempting price distract you from doing your due diligence. 

• Do some proofreading . Typos, grammatical errors, and blurry images on a third-party booking site may suggest the work of a hasty scammer as opposed to a careful, legitimate business owner. While you're informally copyediting, check to see whether the website lists a physical mailing address and has a working customer service phone number as well. 

• If you do decide to buy, check the URL before entering your payment information. Make sure you haven't accidentally clicked a sponsored link or navigated to an imposter site. Only enter sensitive information on a secure link (the URL should start with "https://").

• Always make online purchases using a credit card . You can dispute fraudulent charges made on your credit card, whereas funds stolen from debit cards and gift cards are pretty much impossible to get back. And never use a wire transfer to pay for travel.

• If the company you're doing business with calls you (and they shouldn't), don't provide personal info or approve additional charges over the phone . Get everything in writing, and then save all receipts, fine print, confirmations, and other correspondence. If you need to make any changes to your flight, contact the airline directly—and make sure you use the contact info from the airline's actual website. Scammers have been known to post phony numbers to intercept customer service calls, too.

To report a scam or learn about other common travel-related rip-offs, go to BBB.org .

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8 Popular Travel Scams to Watch Out For

When traveling for business or fun, you are always at risk of falling prey to a scam. While nobody wants to think that they’d make an easy target, the truth is that any tourist is always at risk. 

Of course, some scams are more common than others, like taxi scams or jewelry scams, and being aware of them will make it easier for you to avoid them. 

Thus, here are some of the most common scams to watch out for when traveling and some tips to help you avoid them.

8 Travel Scams To Avoid

• 1. Fake Police Officer Scam

The fake officer scam is a common and scary one. Con artists will dress up in a full police uniform and act like real officers. 

They can then pretend to arrest tourists to get them alone so they can demand your money. 

In severe cases, they can even hold tourists hostage and demand money from their loved ones. And it can be hard to tell which police officers are real or fake while visiting other countries. 

Thus, tourists should be extremely wary of fake police officers who may approach them. Remember that it’s okay to ask an officer for their identification or go straight to a police station if you have a problem.

• 2. Bank Scams

Bank scams are also a popular travel scam and one that far too many people succumb to when on vacation. It’s actually one of the most common travel scams, but con artists can use a lot of different methods to pull off these tricks. 

They may offer you more money for your cash and then give you counterfeit money back. By the time you realize you have counterfeit bills, the scammer will be long gone. 

Or, they could offer a deal that is too good to be true just to trick you into giving them cash or card information. 

Many travelers fall victim to these lies because they think they are safe from scam artists in public locations. In reality, store owners can be just as likely to scam you as anyone else. 

Scam artists often disguise themselves as overly helpful locals and can roam free and often look for tourists to trick so they can hack their online accounts.

• 3. Online Identity Scams

You might not think that online scams go hand in hand with tourist scams, but just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean someone can’t scam you online.

In touristy areas, there are often stores and shops that offer free WiFi and the use of an AC power outlet if you make a purchase. 

The problem is you may find yourself using an unsecured network that allows a scam artist to hack in and get your personal information or view all your online activity and other sensitive data. Then, they can steal your identity or bank information.

You may even fall for these types of tricks before you even leave for vacation since some people will set up a fraudulent travel website to steal money from unsuspecting victims. 

• 4. Taxi Scams

You may need to get a taxi from airports or train stations. While you might think you can trust a taxi driver to handle his own business and do the right thing, many are actually scammers. 

Some may advertise a fair price to get you to avoid rental cars, but once you get in and they take you to your desired location, the cab drivers demand a different amount of money. 

Taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers all over the world partake in this trick, but it is most common in large cities. Here, they may turn off their ticket counter and try to charge whatever they want. 

You can avoid this scam by researching legitimate taxi services in the area.

• 5. ATM Scam

ATM scams are common. 

In these cons, someone may follow you to an ATM and demand a cash donation with the threat of injury. Or the ATM machine you use may have a card reading device inside that will steal your credit card details. 

This travel scam is common in Southeast Asia and Central America, particularly Costa Rica, but it can happen anywhere. 

• 6. Pickpockets

You might think that keeping your money close to you in your purse or pocket would be enough to keep it safe, but that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of scammers who are pickpockets and more than capable of stealing your money or personal items right off your body. 

They can distract you or take it so gently that you don’t even notice them. Thus, you could quickly lose a lot of money or jewelry from these people. 

So, you should always be aware of the people around you and make sure your items are secured and close to you. Also, if you have bags, be sure to put locks on them to make it more difficult for someone to steal from them.

• 7. Jewelry Scam

Jewelry scams, such as the ring scam and bracelet scam, are another common trick that occurs with a friendly local who is really a con artist. Fraudsters will often purposefully search for an elderly woman to pull this scheme on because they assume they are the most likely to fall for it.

So, what’s the scam?

Well, when an innocent-looking person picks up a piece of jewelry, it may appear to be pure gold but is actually fake. 

Behind this scheme, you will often find a pushy vendor who is comfortable with petty crime and has no problem ripping off tourists. So, if you don’t know enough about jewelry to see a fake, don’t buy expensive items in another country.

A similar scheme includes trying to get you to pay for other counterfeit items or shoddy services, like a boat tour that ends early or a jet ski rental where they will accuse you of damaging the vehicle. 

• 8. Camera Scam

If you have a nice camera in a camera bag, you’re a prime target for a common scam. 

In this case, a local will act as if they are your new friend and offer to take your photo for you so you can pose with your family. But then they will run off and steal the camera instead of taking pictures. 

Con artists often pull these scams on elderly and disabled people who they know can’t easily chase them. 

• Tips For Avoiding Scams And Staying Safe

When it comes to traveling and staying safe from common travel scams, it’s important to remain vigilant, even if you have a wild night. Nobody wants to pay more for their trip or come away with an overpriced bill, but accidents happen, so travel insurance is a must. 

So, here are some other travel tips to help you stay safe from scams.

• Wear a money belt to carry cash
• Avoid locals who seem unusually forward or pushy
• Use a virtual private network when using WiFi
• Don’t flash money around
• Don’t wear expensive jewelry or bring personal items with you when walking around.
• Only book trips through a legitimate site.
• Put your own lock on your backpacks and bags to prevent pickpockets
• Avoid using ATMs when possible
• Avoid dark alleys and backroads
• Make yourself familiar with police and official uniforms in your destination country.
• Don’t carry your ID or passport with you when you go out
• Keep a copy of your passport or birth certificate in a safe place in your hotel room
• Check your cash to make sure it’s not counterfeit
• Don’t let your guard down
• Don’t let anyone know you are traveling alone
• Guard your drinks and never leave them unattended
• Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know or trust
• Assist elderly friends and relatives with their travel plans to help them avoid scams
• Be careful where you use your debit card
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Avoid unsafe areas of town
• Use the locker in your hotel rooms to keep personal items safe
• Avoid any product that the vendor claims is special for you, like a friendship bracelet. They’ll use this reasoning to jack up the price. 

Traveling is a lot of fun, and if you can explore the world, you should do it. But, there are a lot of different scams and people who are just waiting to rip off unsuspecting tourists. 

However, f you are smart about your traveling and do simple things to avoid scams, you can enjoy your vacation without any worries. So, be sure to keep this information in mind when planning your next trip and while traveling in a new country.

Table of Contents

Eric has been a travel addict since he finished college and a writer since he could hold a pen.

A native of Florida, he loves traveling and visiting unique places all over the world and has an ever-growing collection of travel tips and experiences.

Eric is a digital nomad, a fan of slow travel. He has been traveling for the last 7 years, and has visited over 40 countries.

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App-surdity: Are These Apps Real or Fake?

Real app or fake app.

Is truth really stranger than fiction? Sometimes. In today’s world, “an app for that” probably exists even if it shouldn’t. So it’s getting harder to tell whether an app idea is real or fake. In honor of April Fools’ Day, we’ve put together a list of real and fake apps for various mobile platforms. Can you tell which of them are actually available for installation, and which are just figments of our editors’ imaginations? Let the guessing begin.

Screen Crack

If, for some reason, you want to pretend that your phone’s screen is shattered without actually breaking the glass, this is an app built for the task. The free Screen Crack app for Android mimics a cracked screen–and, via the transitive property, also mimics the effects of installing apps under the influence of crack.

Price: Free

Platform: Android

Sent From My…

This deliberately misleading app for iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Symbian devices lets you pretend that you have a different phone or tablet than the one you actually own. The app automatically appends messages such as “Sent from my iPad,” “Sent from my Droid X,” or even “Sent from my Commodore 64” to outgoing e-mails, regardless of what you’re really using. You can also append “Sent from” notes for devices that don’t exist, such as “Sent from my Apple Galaxy Tab” or “Sent from my Nokia Blackberry.” The only thing missing is a reason to do any of this, beyond distributing marketing copy for competing and/or fictional platforms.

Platform: iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian

Android PWNZ

We’re not sure whether this app was primarily designed as a benchmarking/battery-life tool for Android phones, or whether it was made simply to show off Android’s features in the most over-the-top way possible. Excited Android fans can launch the Android PWNZ app to get an instant reminder of all the things Android can do that the iPhone can’t: The app simultaneously runs Flash content, fires up a bunch of widgets, opens up the Bluetooth floodgates…and probably drains your battery in about 4 minutes.

Platform: Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Obsolescence Countdown Clock

This app doesn’t cure buyer’s remorse, but it does help you pick the right time to sell your current device on eBay in order to make way for the next one. Purportedly loaded with data about Apple’s estimated announcement and release cycle for new products, the app displays a countdown clock that estimates the next hardware update for iPhones, iPads, and iMacs. Unfortunately, it leaves the speculation, rumors, and lost-phone scandals up to the blogs.

Price: $0.99

Platform: iOS

Ghostroid Paranormal Detector

Why spend thousands of dollars on a professional ghost-detecting kit when you can spend a buck-fifty on this Android app? It probably works just as well. The Ghostroid Paranormal Detector purportedly gauges subsonic and supersonic activity, which are allegedly the kind of noises ghosts make. Unfortunately, after detecting a ghost, the app doesn’t shake the phantom down for the $1.50 you wasted on the app itself. As a side note, the developers claim that the app doesn’t work too well on Samsung phones.

Price: $1.50

Secret Word! From Pee Wee’s Playhouse

Finally, the ultimate synthesis of faux children’s television and mobile apps. This iOS and Android app uses voice commands as an extension of the “Secret Word” segment in Pee Wee’s Playhouse, turning your phone into a festival of lights and noises if you speak one of 150 secret words into your phone. If you’re particularly brave, you can set the app to “Phone Mode,” and it’ll fire up an on-screen party whenever you (or the person on the other end of the line) use the “Secret Word” in a phone conversation. Pee-Wee’s Chairy is sold separately.

Price: $1.99

Platform: iOS, Android

Booger Flick

If you’ve ever wished that sending an e-mail was as easy as flicking a virtual chunk of mucus, then 99 cents will put you in touch with your wildest dreams. This app lets you create a customized “booger,” pick a recipient from your address book, and then send them an e-mail with your embedded creation simply by “flicking” the booger on the screen. The future is now, and it’s disgusting and pointless.

Plant Whisperer

According to some people, talking to houseplants will help your in-home foliage lead a normal, healthy life. But no one likes a one-way street of communication, which is where this app comes in. After you take a picture of a plant, this app visits your camera roll, “analyzes leaf structure and hue associated with healthy Nitrogen intake,” and sends messages from your plant based on its “aura.” The app has 38 canned responses ranging from “I could use a drink of water” to “Please don’t leave me alone with your cat.”

Rate a Fart 2.0

You can find an entire universe of gas-passing apps in the App Store, but as far as we know, this is the only one with an extensive database of real-life flatulence that you can listen to, rate, and even add to with your own biological emissions. Bonus features include a Shufflelike “Random Fart” player, an accelerometer-driven playback mode, and the envy of second-graders the world over.

Similar to the Plant Whisperer app, this app lets your baby “talk” to you. Well, actually it doesn’t. It’s more of an activity tracker that lets you log your baby’s sleeping patterns, bowel movements, numero unos, breast-feeding times, and medicine intake. This app does have some real-world uses, as long as you don’t mind inputting the details of your child’s “output” into your phone, over and over again.

Price: $3.99

These Apps Are Fake

The fake apps in our slideshow were the following:

These Apps Are Real

The real apps in our slideshow were the following:

Rate a Fart 2.0 (It was real at some point, but it’s no longer available.)

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Travel Visa Scams: How to Avoid and Detect Them

In today's digital age, visa scams and fraudulent websites have become a growing concern for people seeking to travel abroad. The internet has made visa application processes more convenient, but it has also opened up many opportunities for scammers to deceive unsuspecting travelers.

This article will equip you with the knowledge and tools to identify and avoid visa scams or fake websites to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip!

Let’s dive in!

Applying for a visa through the government or third-party visa service

When it comes to applying for a visa or other travel document, there are two routes:

You can apply for a visa with the embassy or consulate of your destination country , either online or in-person, depending on the requirements.

Find an up-to-date list of official country embassies and their websites, contact details, and locations here .

You can apply with the help of a reputable third-party visa service , such as iVisa .

Navigating the visa application process can be challenging, especially for first-time applicants or those unfamiliar with the specific requirements of different countries.

Third-party visa service providers have in-depth knowledge and expertise in visa procedures, regulations, and document preparation . They can guide applicants through the entire process, ensuring that all necessary documents are included and that applications are completed accurately and in accordance with the requirements of the destination country.

Understanding visa scams

Visa scams involve deceptive practices that exploit people unfamiliar with visa application processes or desperate to obtain a visa quickly.

Scammers often create fake websites that mimic legitimate visa service providers , making it difficult for applicants to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent platforms.

By understanding the signs of a visa scam or fake website, you can protect yourself from falling victim to fraudulent schemes .

How to tell if a visa website is fake or a scam?

If you decide to order from a third party, you must be able to spot the differences between fake and legitimate travel visa websites . The last thing you want to do is share your passport details and credit card information with a fake visa agency!

The document they provide you with might look perfectly official. However, any immigration officer will see right through it, ruining your trip and subsequent (legal) complications with immigration services and losing money and time.

Here are the telltale signs to look out for!

1. Unrealistic promises and guarantees

Beware of websites that make unrealistic promises and guarantees regarding visa approvals or processing times .

Legitimate visa applications are subject to specific requirements and processes determined by immigration authorities. While visa service providers can guide applicants and expedite the application process, they cannot guarantee visa approvals or bypass legal requirements.

Additionally, if the website claims to offer the cheapest visa or a price too good to be true, it’s likely a scam. Governments typically do not offer sales or promotions on their visa application fees. A trustworthy third-party service always lists the official government fee, plus its own processing fees.

2. Requests for payment or personal information via unsafe channels

Scammers frequently request payment or personal information, such as passport details or bank account numbers, via unsafe channels. Never share your credit card information, passport details, or bank account numbers via email.

Legitimate visa service providers typically require payment only after confirming the eligibility and requirements for a visa application. They prioritize the security and privacy of their customers' information and follow established data protection regulations.

3. Lack of contact information

Legitimate visa service providers understand the importance of providing clear and accessible contact information. If a company website is missing ways of contact options such as an email address, it should raise suspicions about its credibility.

Genuine visa service providers are transparent about their contact details and make it easy for applicants to reach out for assistance or inquiries.

4. Unprofessional website design

One of the telltale signs of a visa scam or fake website is an unprofessional design. Legitimate visa service providers invest in professional web design to create a user-friendly experience for their customers.

Fake websites, on the other hand, often have low-quality designs, outdated layouts, and grammatical errors that indicate a lack of attention to detail.

5. Absence of legitimate credentials and reviews

Trustworthy visa service providers typically display their credentials, certifications, and customer reviews prominently on their websites. If you cannot find any legitimate credentials or reviews , it could be a red flag indicating a scam or fake website.

Legitimate credentials include membership associations such as IATA, consumer protection agencies, and/or the federal trade commission. Or check the reviews on widely-known review platforms like Trustpilot and Google.

Tips on how to avoid fake visa websites and scams

Before using any visa service provider, take the time to research and verify their legitimacy. Look up reviews, testimonials, and ratings from trusted sources to gauge the provider's credibility.

Here are some steps to take if you’re unsure if a visa website is a scam or real:

Check the website security: Ensure the website has proper security measures in place. Look out for "https://" and a padlock icon at the beginning of the website URL indicating a secure connection.

Additionally, verify the presence of security seals or badges that indicate the website's commitment to protecting your information.

Reputable web browsers like Chrome and Firefox also have filters that can help you detect a fake website. To help them do their job, update your browser regularly.

Validate the company’s contact information: Legitimate visa service providers prominently display their contact information. Verify the accuracy of the provided address, phone number, and email by cross-referencing with official sources or doing a quick online search.

Lack of contact information or unresponsive customer support should raise concerns.

Trust recommendations and referrals: Seek recommendations from trustworthy sources, such as friends, family, or review websites, to identify reliable visa service providers.

Personal referrals can provide valuable insights and help you avoid fraudulent websites.

Compare pricing and services: Be cautious of websites offering significantly lower prices or unrealistic deals. Compare the pricing and services offered by different visa service providers to ensure they align with the industry standards.

Legitimate websites usually give a clear overview of government visa fees and their own processing fees. An honest visa company will also offer refunds when your visa is denied or a mistake has been made.

Bonus tip - Trust your intuition: If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts. If a website raises doubts or makes you uncomfortable, it's better to explore other options and choose a service provider you feel confident about.

Common scams involving visa applications

Regarding visa applications, it's unfortunate that scammers take advantage of people's desires to travel or relocate to other countries. It's important to be aware of common scams to protect yourself from scams:

• Phishing and spam emails/calls: If an unprompted email arrives in your inbox inviting you to apply for a visa, or you receive a call from an unknown number, consider it suspicious. Especially if they ask you to pay before you even did your research, as these messages are always meant to extract payment from you somehow.

Flag it as spam and delete the fraudulent emails immediately, and block the contacts on your phone.

• Visa lottery or prize notifications: Scammers may claim that you have won a visa lottery or a spot in the U.S. diversity visa program, and they ask for payment or personal information to process your winnings.

Legitimate visa programs and U.S. Homeland Security do not operate in this manner, so be skeptical of such claims.

Job offer scams: Fraudsters may pose as employers or recruitment agencies offering lucrative job opportunities abroad. They claim they can expedite your visa application process for a fee. Be cautious when dealing with unknown job offers and always verify the legitimacy of the company and its representatives.

Unauthorized agents: Some individuals or illegal agencies promise to expedite the visa process or secure visas through illegal means. Engaging with such agents can lead to serious legal consequences and jeopardize travel plans, future eligibility for visas, and personal finance.

Credit card scams: Most of the above scams involve a credit card scam or fraud. Scammers use software to log into your credit card accounts to steal sensitive information. This can lead to identity theft and money being stolen. Always check for suspicious transactions and report them to your financial institution and credit card company.

Why use an online visa service?

As you can imagine, there is a lot of bureaucracy involved when applying for visas – and it can get confusing and tedious. Ultimately, this is why more and more travelers choose to use a third-party visa service .

This is where we come in. iVisa streamlines obtaining your visas and travel documents worldwide, making it quicker and easier through our one-stop-shop platform. This way, you can focus on enjoying your trip, rather than worrying about paperwork.

Additionally, we have all the security protocols in place to make sure your sensitive personal information is never shared with anyone, for your peace of mind.

Why you can trust iVisa for all your travel documents

When it comes to travel documents, such as visas and passports, trust and reliability are of utmost importance. We understand the significance of these documents in your travel plans, and here are the reasons why you can trust iVisa for all your travel document needs .

Experience and expertise

iVisa has over 10 years of experience in the travel document industry , making it a trusted and reputable name in the field. With a team of experts who specialize in visa and passport services, we are well-equipped to handle a wide range of travel document requirements.

Security and privacy

We prioritize the security and privacy of our customers’ personal information . The platform employs robust security measures to safeguard data and utilizes encrypted connections for all online transactions. Our commitment to data protection ensures that your personal details and payment information remain secure throughout the application process.

Partnerships and collaboration

We maintain partnerships and collaborations with various government immigration authorities and embassies worldwide . These partnerships validate the platform's credibility and enable them to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa requirements, procedures, and regulations.

Transparent pricing

We offer transparent pricing for all our services, ensuring that customers have a clear understanding of the fees involved. The platform provides detailed information about the costs associated with visa processing, additional services , and any applicable government fees.

Quick and easy customer support

Our dedicated and reliable customer support team assists travelers at every stage of the visa and passport application process. Our knowledgeable and friendly support team is available via online chat and email to address any queries or concerns promptly.

Positive customer feedback

Over the years we have garnered positive feedback from countless satisfied customers who have successfully obtained their visas and passports through the platform. Their testimonials and reviews attest to our reliability, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Find out more about iVisa by watching this video:

Overview of iVisa trusted services

Our secure online platform offers a range of convenient and reliable visa and travel-related services.

Visa application assistance: Our platform offers an easy check for visa and travel document requirements, as well as visa application assistance for almost every destination. Whether you're traveling for tourism, business, or other purposes, we provide detailed guidelines and a convenient online platform.

Passport renewal support: We support travelers in renewing their passports efficiently and conveniently. By following the provided guidelines and submitting the necessary documents, individuals can complete the passport renewal process with ease.

Digital photo service: Our easy photo service offers applicants an easy and affordable way to get a government-compliant photo for their application. This ensures that the submitted photos meet the specific requirements set by immigration authorities, minimizing the chances of photo-related issues during the application process.

Download the iVisa app

To further streamline the visa application and travel documentation process, we offer a user-friendly mobile app. The app provides travelers with even easier access to a range of services:

Visa application management: The app allows users to manage their visa applications conveniently from their mobile devices. Users can track the progress of their applications, receive notifications and updates, and access their application documents anytime, anywhere.

Personalized notifications: The app sends personalized notifications to keep users informed about important updates regarding their visa applications, such as approval status, document submission reminders, and any changes in visa regulations or requirements.

Mobile document upload: The app allows users to conveniently upload their supporting documents directly from their mobile devices. This eliminates the need for scanning or emailing documents separately, simplifying the application process.

The app's intuitive interface, real-time updates, and convenient features contribute to a seamless and efficient travel preparation experience.

Download the iVisa app here (available for iOS and Android devices).

Do I need a visa?

Before diving into the exciting aspects of planning your trip, it's important to address a crucial question: Do I need a visa? Taking a step back and clarifying this early on will save you from potential complications.

Visa requirements vary based on your nationality and your chosen destination. Luckily, many countries offer visa-free entry, so you can skip the visa application process altogether.

To find out whether a visa is necessary, start by visiting the official website of the embassy or consulate of your destination country. These reliable sources provide detailed information about visa types and application procedures. Alternatively, you can use our handy Visa Checker Tool to find out which documents you need!

Is using an online visa service the right choice for me?

By now, you have gained valuable insights into distinguishing between fake and legitimate travel visa websites. Now, it's time to consider whether using an online visa service is the right choice for you.

In reality, the decision boils down to your personal circumstances and preferences. There is no definitive right or wrong answer. Instead, it depends on factors such as your budget and the amount of time and effort you wish to save .

Ultimately, the choice is in your hands. If you value convenience, swift processing, and expert assistance throughout the visa application process , using an online visa service may be the perfect fit for you. However, if you prefer a more hands-on approach and have the time and resources to navigate the visa application process independently, that is entirely up to you.

Regardless of your decision, we’re dedicated to helping as many people as possible explore the world, making travel experiences hassle-free and unforgettable!

Enjoy your trip!

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Visa Status Check: How to Check Your Visa Application

• iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. For government source information, please visit our product pages.

The Real World Review: Real or Fake?

Andrew Tate, a controversial internet personality, has garnered attention for his polarizing views and online presence. Transitioning from his previous venture, Hustlers University 2.0, Tate launched The Real World in October 2022 .

In this review, we delve into The Real World, exploring its nature, operations, and the person behind it—Andrew Tate.

What is The Real World?

The Real World, operating through JoinTheRealWorld.com, emerged as the successor to Hustlers University 2.0. Marketed as Stage 2 .

It’s a place where people can learn about making money. The Real World covers skills such as Freelancing, Crypto Investing, Business and Finance, Content Creation, Artificial Intelligence, and Fitness.

To join The Real World, there is a registration charge or a package of $49.99 per month.

According to Similar Web, approximately 12 million people visited the site as of October 2023.

Read: Rupeesnow.com Review

What The Real World Offers?

The Real World claims to offer insights into wealth creation and financial freedom. The platform primarily employs Discord servers for educational content, featuring pre-made slides, videos, and live streams.

You get to pick a category from the “Cash-Time Quadrant,” which guides you on skills and strategies for business.

The platform primarily employs discord servers for educational content, featuring pre-made slides, videos, and live streams. The central premise involves users choosing a category from the “Cash-Time Quadrant,” guiding them toward relevant skills and business strategies.

The Real World is popular, but not because it has great content or real stories from people who tried it. The big draw is that they give a high 48% commission through their affiliate program.

Read: Haiderbit.com Review

Who is Andrew Tate?

Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer, achieved notoriety through various endeavors, including a controversial stint on Big Brother in 2016.

Alongside his brother, Tristan Tate, he ventured into a successful webcam business. Tate’s flagship program, Hustler’s University, initially marketed as a personal development course, aims to guide men toward success and financial prosperity.

The Real World, another brainchild of Tate, aspires to mentor individuals in attaining financial freedom.

Read: Travimo.co Review

Website Profile

Read: Nowofloan.com Review

The Real World Review

Despite its enticing promises, The Real World presents drawbacks that may discourage potential investors or affiliates.

• While Andrew Tate is known as a motivational speaker, doubts arise about his effectiveness as a tutor for the skills he promotes.
• With abundant free educational content available online, the necessity of paid programs like The Real World is questioned.
• The change in name and joining costs for new students without clear distinctions is a significant drawback.
• They provide a warning that the price will increase from $49.99 to $147 per month, which is a fake claim to mislead people.

Additionally, the frequent name changes—from “The New Era Learning” to “Hustlers University 2.0” and now “The Real World”—might leave one skeptical about the program’s stability and commitment.

While the allure of a lucrative affiliate program exists, the overall content quality and perceived similarities between the programs may deter potential participants.

Read: Hipi App Review

Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer and internet figure known for ventures like Hustlers University and The Real World.

The domain for The Real World was first registered in August 2022.

The Real World claims to be an online educational platform focusing on wealth creation, led by Andrew Tate.

Yes, The Real World offers an affiliate program with a commission of 48% on each sale.

You can join through this link .

Read: Pohunch.com Review

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• Travel Guide

Stay Safe While Traveling: How to Spot Fake Taxi Drivers and Protect Yourself

• 11 minute read

• October 10, 2023

How to spot and avoid the fake taxi scam

Are you an avid traveler eager to explore new destinations? As you embark on your journeys, one vital aspect to consider is ensuring your safety, especially when it comes to navigating unfamiliar places and avoiding potential scams. One significant concern for travelers worldwide is encountering fake taxi drivers.

These impostors often lurk around transportation hubs, waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. In this guide, we will unravel the secrets to staying safe and sidestepping fake taxi drivers, all while enjoying your travels to the fullest.

Let’s delve into the world of travel safety and discover how to protect yourself from these dubious characters.

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What Are Fake Taxi Drivers?

Fake taxi drivers are individuals who operate vehicles that resemble traditional taxis but do not possess the necessary permits or licenses to provide taxi services legally. These impostors often aim to exploit travelers, and their motivations can vary. Some fake taxi drivers are primarily driven by financial gain, overcharging passengers, or employing dishonest pricing tactics. Others, more alarmingly, engage in criminal activities, putting passengers at risk of theft, fraud, or more serious crimes.

What makes fake taxi drivers particularly risky is their lack of accountability, as they operate without proper licensing or oversight, making it challenging to hold them responsible for their actions. Travelers encountering fake taxi drivers may face overcharging, safety concerns, and even legal issues, making it essential to be aware of these risks and take precautions when seeking transportation in unfamiliar areas.

To stay safe, travelers should research reputable transportation options and learn how to identify legitimate taxi services, ensuring a safer and more pleasant travel experience.

The Pre-Travel Preparation

Preparing for your travels is a critical step in ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Before you embark on your adventure, take the time to plan and equip yourself with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the potential challenges of encountering fake taxi drivers. Here’s how to prepare effectively:

Research Your Destination: Begin by researching your destination thoroughly. Understand the local transportation options available, including official taxi services, public transit, and ride-sharing apps. Knowing what to expect in advance can help you make informed choices.

Identify Reputable Taxi Companies: Look for well-established and reputable taxi companies operating in the area you’ll be visiting. Read reviews, check online forums, and ask for recommendations from fellow travelers or local contacts. Reliable taxi services often have a strong online presence and positive customer feedback.

Download Transportation Apps: In today’s digital age, numerous transportation apps can make your travel experience more convenient and safer. Download apps for booking official taxis or rideshares that are widely used and trusted in your destination.

Know the Local Rates: Familiarize yourself with local taxi fare rates or estimates. Being aware of typical pricing can help you spot overcharging attempts by fake taxi drivers. Some destinations have fixed rates from airports to city centers, which can also be beneficial to know.

Learn Common Scams: Research common taxi scams specific to your destination. Awareness of these scams, such as rigged meters or fake “official” taxi signs, can help you recognize fraudulent practices.

Emergency Contacts: Save emergency contact numbers for local authorities and your country’s embassy or consulate in your destination. In case of any issues with transportation, you’ll have a resource to turn to for assistance.

Share Your Plans: Inform a trusted friend or family member about your travel plans, including your expected arrival time and transportation details. This ensures someone knows your whereabouts and can help in case of emergencies.

Pack Light and Stay Alert: When you arrive at your destination, keep your belongings secure and readily accessible. Avoid displaying valuable items that might attract unwanted attention. Stay vigilant when exiting an airport or transportation hub, as fake taxi drivers often target tired or disoriented travelers.

Pre-travel preparation is a vital aspect of staying safe while traveling. By arming yourself with knowledge, reputable transportation options, and awareness of potential scams, you can minimize the risks associated with fake taxi drivers and enhance your overall travel experience.

Official Taxi vs Fake Taxi: Key Differences

When you’re in an unfamiliar destination and need transportation, distinguishing between official taxis and fake taxis is essential for your safety and financial well-being. Understanding the key differences between the two can help you make informed choices:

Licensing and Identification

Official Taxis: Official taxis are typically licensed by local authorities. They have visible identification, which may include a prominently displayed taxi license number, official logos, and markings on the vehicle.

Fake Taxis: Fake taxis often lack proper licensing and identification. They may have makeshift or no markings, making it difficult to verify their authenticity.

Metered Pricing

Official Taxis: Legitimate taxis usually have working meters that calculate fares based on distance and time. This transparent pricing system ensures you pay a fair and standardized rate.

Fake Taxis : Fake taxi drivers may refuse to use meters or have rigged meters that charge exorbitant fares. They may also quote arbitrary prices, leaving passengers vulnerable to overcharging.

Uniforms or Dress Code

Official Taxis : In many places, official taxi drivers wear uniforms or dress professionally. Their attire helps passengers recognize them easily.

Fake Taxis : Fake taxi drivers may not adhere to any dress code, making them less identifiable as service providers.

Vehicle Condition

Official Taxis : Legitimate taxis are often well-maintained and regularly inspected for safety. They should be clean and in good working order.

Fake Taxis : Fake taxi vehicles can vary widely in condition. Some may be poorly maintained or even unsafe to ride in.

Prebooking and Dispatch

Official Taxis : Many official taxi services offer the option to prebook a ride through a reputable taxi company or app, providing passengers with a reliable and secure way to arrange transportation.

Fake Taxis: Fake taxi drivers usually do not offer pre-booking services through official channels. Instead, they rely on hailing passengers on the street or approaching them at transportation hubs.

Knowledge of Local Routes

Official Taxis : Legitimate taxi drivers typically have a good knowledge of local routes, landmarks, and destinations. They can provide valuable information to passengers.

Fake Taxis: Fake taxi drivers may lack this local knowledge, potentially leading to longer routes, increased fares, or confusion.

Recognizing these key differences is crucial for your safety and financial security while traveling. To avoid falling victim to fake taxi scams, it’s essential to be vigilant, look for proper identification, insist on metered fares where applicable, and choose reputable transportation options whenever possible. By doing so, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable travel experience.

Research and Booking Apps

In the digital age, research and booking apps have revolutionized the way travelers plan and execute their journeys. When it comes to identifying safe and reliable transportation options while traveling, these apps can be invaluable. Here’s how research and booking apps can enhance your travel experience:

Access to Information: Research apps provide travelers with comprehensive information about local transportation services, including official taxi companies, public transit options, and ride-sharing services. You can access details such as fare estimates, service availability, and user reviews.

Booking Convenience: Many apps allow travelers to book transportation services in advance, providing peace of mind and reducing the stress of finding a ride upon arrival. This is particularly helpful in areas where transportation demand is high.

User Reviews and Ratings: User-generated reviews and ratings on these apps offer valuable insights into the quality and safety of transportation providers. Reading other travelers’ experiences can help you make informed decisions and avoid potential scams.

Transparent Pricing: Booking apps often provide transparent pricing information, so you can estimate the cost of your journey in advance. This helps prevent surprise overcharges by taxi drivers or other transportation providers.

Safety Features: Some apps incorporate safety features, such as tracking your ride in real-time, sharing your trip with friends or family, and contacting emergency services if needed. These features add an extra layer of security to your travel experience.

Language Support: Travel apps often support multiple languages, making it easier for international travelers to navigate and use transportation services in foreign destinations.

Payment Options: Many apps offer multiple payment options, including cashless transactions, which can be particularly useful when traveling abroad and dealing with unfamiliar currencies.

Airport and Transportation Hubs

Airports and transportation hubs are often the first points of contact for travelers when arriving at a new destination. They can also be hotspots for encounters with fake taxi drivers and other transportation scams. Here’s how to navigate these areas safely:

Use Official Taxi Stands: Many airports have designated taxi stands where you can find legitimate taxi services. These taxis are often regulated and monitored by airport authorities, reducing the risk of encountering fake drivers.

Avoid Solicitation: Be cautious of individuals approaching you inside the airport or transportation hub and offering taxi services. Instead, seek out the official taxi stand or use reputable transportation apps.

Know the Approximate Fare: Before leaving the airport, inquire about the approximate fare to your destination from the information desk or official taxi stand. This will give you an idea of what to expect and help you identify overcharging.

Verify the Driver’s Identity: Ensure that the driver matches the photo and details provided by the taxi booking app if you’ve made a reservation. This can help you confirm that you’re getting into the correct vehicle.

Traveling Late at Night: If you arrive late at night, exercise extra caution. It’s advisable to book transportation in advance or arrange for airport-approved transfer services to avoid potential safety issues.

By utilizing research and booking apps, as well as following safety precautions at airports and transportation hubs, travelers can significantly reduce the risk of encountering fake taxi drivers and enjoy a smoother and more secure transition into their destination. These practices contribute to a safer and more enjoyable travel experience overall.

Identifying Fake Taxi Drivers

When it comes to identifying fake taxi drivers, paying attention to specific signs and behaviors can help you differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent transportation providers. Here are some key points to consider:

Lack of Proper Identification: Fake taxi drivers often lack visible identification, such as a taxi license number or official markings on their vehicles. Legitimate taxis typically display these identifiers prominently.

Refusal to Use the Meter: Fake taxi drivers may refuse to use the meter or insist on a fixed price, which can lead to overcharging. Legitimate taxi drivers should be willing to use the meter for transparency.

Unmarked or Unprofessional Vehicles: Fake taxis may use unmarked or poorly maintained vehicles , making them less identifiable as legitimate service providers. Official taxis usually have well-maintained vehicles with proper signage.

Aggressive Solicitation: Be wary of taxi drivers who aggressively approach you at airports or transportation hubs, especially if they are not waiting at official taxi stands. Official taxis are often found at designated locations.

Inconsistent Uniforms or Attire: Fake taxi drivers may not adhere to any dress code or uniform, while official taxi drivers in some regions wear uniforms or professional attire.

What to Do When You Encounter a Fake Taxi

Encountering a fake taxi can be concerning, but knowing how to respond can help you navigate the situation safely and effectively. Here’s what to do when faced with a potentially fake taxi driver:

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation: Keep your composure and assess the situation. Verify the driver’s identification and the condition of the vehicle discreetly.

Refuse the Ride: If you suspect you are dealing with a fake taxi, it’s safest to decline the ride and look for an official taxi or use a reputable transportation app.

Seek Help: If you feel threatened or uncomfortable, seek assistance from airport or transportation hub staff, security personnel, or nearby authorities.

Take Photos and Notes: If you can do so safely, take photos of the vehicle, license plate, and driver. Make mental notes of any distinctive details that could be useful for reporting the incident.

Contact Local Authorities: If you believe you’ve encountered a fake taxi, report the incident to local law enforcement or the relevant authorities. Providing them with information can help address the issue.

Share Your Experience: Consider sharing your experience and any photos on travel forums or apps to warn fellow travelers and seek advice.

Learn from the Experience: Use the encounter as a learning experience. Take note of what raised your suspicions and apply this knowledge to future travels to avoid similar situations.

Local Insights and Advice

When it comes to staying safe while traveling and avoiding encounters with fake taxi drivers, one invaluable resource is the local insights and advice provided by residents and experienced travelers. Here’s why seeking local insights and advice is crucial and how to go about it:

• Local Knowledge: Locals have a deep understanding of their city or region, including transportation options, common scams, and areas to be cautious about. Their insights can be invaluable in helping you navigate safely.
• Cultural Awareness: Locals can provide cultural insights that are essential for respectful and safe interactions. Understanding local customs and etiquette can prevent misunderstandings and potentially risky situations.
• Recommendations: Local residents and experienced travelers can recommend reputable taxi services, transportation apps, and other safe means of getting around. Their recommendations are often based on personal experience.
• Avoiding Tourist Traps: Locals can advise you on how to avoid tourist traps and areas where fake taxi drivers tend to operate. They can also recommend less crowded and safer transportation options.
• Emergency Contact Information: Locals can provide you with important contact information for local authorities, taxi regulators, or organizations that can assist you in case of any transportation-related issues.

Here’s how to seek and make use of local insights and advice:

• Interact with Locals: Engage in conversations with local residents, hotel staff, or restaurant workers. They can often provide valuable tips and recommendations.
• Join Online Travel Communities: Online travel forums and social media groups focused on your destination can be excellent sources of advice. Experienced travelers and locals frequently share their insights and answer questions.
• Ask for Recommendations: When you arrive at your destination, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations for safe transportation. Hotel concierges and front desk staff are usually knowledgeable about reputable taxi services.
• Language Assistance: If you’re not proficient in the local language, consider using translation apps or services to help facilitate communication when seeking advice from locals.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with local news and travel advisories. Sometimes, emerging issues or safety concerns related to transportation are reported in the news.
• Online Reviews: Read online reviews for transportation services and apps. While you should take individual reviews with a grain of salt, patterns of positive or negative feedback can provide insights.
• Local Apps: Some regions have specific transportation apps or services that may not be well-known to tourists. Locals can inform you about these options.

By actively seeking and heeding local insights and advice, you can make more informed decisions about transportation, avoid potential scams, and enhance your overall travel experience. Remember that local knowledge is often your best defense against encountering fake taxi drivers and other travel-related issues.

Ensuring your safety while traveling and avoiding fake taxi drivers is paramount. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored essential strategies and insights to help you navigate unfamiliar destinations securely.

Understanding what fake taxi drivers are and why they pose a risk is the first step. Preparing before your trip by researching your destination, identifying reputable taxi services, and using travel apps for booking and information can significantly enhance your safety.

Distinguishing between real and fake taxis is crucial. Look for proper identification, the use of meters, uniforms or dress codes, well-maintained vehicles, and professional behavior from drivers.

Travel apps can be your allies, providing information on transportation options, transparent pricing, user reviews, and safety features. At airports and transportation hubs, stick to official taxi stands, avoid solicitation from strangers, know typical fares, and take extra precautions, especially when arriving late at night.

Knowing how to identify fake taxi drivers is vital. Be cautious of a lack of proper identification, refusal to use meters, unprofessional vehicles, aggressive solicitation, and inconsistent attire.

If you suspect you’ve encountered a fake taxi, keep calm, decline the ride, seek help, document the situation, contact local authorities, and share your experience to warn others.

Local insights and advice can be invaluable. Tap into the knowledge of locals and experienced travelers for recommendations, cultural awareness, and emergency contact information.

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April Fools' Day pranks: Apps to translate baby stoner sayings, a ghostbuster at Tinder

Every april 1, brands and companies want to get some laughs – and attention – with goofy new 'product' launches. here are some ideas from companies such as sweetgreen, welch's and omaha steaks..

If you don't like Mondays, this one may especially be grating. It's April Fool's Day , when you should trust no one and question everything.

The roots of April Fools' Day may date back before to before the 15th century. But the modern-day April Fools' Day has become a day to prank a friend, family member, co-worker − or your customers.

Even though some companies have had April Fools' pranks backfire , marketers continue to issue spoof products in attempts to get some laughs and attention.

Already ahead of April Fools' Day, 7-Eleven has hinted at a possible prank product: In addition to new Lemon Lime, Green Apple and Sweet Orange flavored 7-Select sparkling waters, out now with partner Miracle Seltzer, there's a fourth flavor coming April 1: Big Bite Hot Dog.

The hot dog-flavored water "combines the mouthwatering experience of 7-Eleven’s iconic Big Bite Hot Dog into one refreshing beverage – ketchup and mustard included," the convenience chain says in a press release . "Say goodbye to the days of alternating bites of a hot dog with sips of a beverage, now those on the go can swap the bun for bubbles."

Krispy Kreme: A special doughnut deal for April Fools' Day

Will Big Bite Hot Dog sparkling water be sold? Its availability will be announced April 1. However, some reporters were sent a can of the drink. USA TODAY can confirm that it definitely smells like hot dog water and has a smoky aftertaste.

If you are interested in trying it, both 7-Eleven and Miracle Seltzer have hinted at having some to give away on their Instagram pages. (If you get a can, share with a friend as it's 16 ounces.)

Here's a roundup of many of the brand-related April Fools’ gag announcements. You've been warned.

Sour cream & onion flavored soda

Despite the proliferation of crazy-flavored products including Peeps-flavored Pepsi , Frank's RedHot sauce-flavored Vlasic pickles and Doritos Nacho Cheese-flavored liquor , healthy soda brand OLIPOP and Pringles are not really teaming up to bring to market a Sour Cream & Onion soda.

The product would have been "a match made in heaven … to bring the delicious, tangy flavor of Pringles’ Sour Cream & Onion flavor to life in liquid form with prebiotic benefits," the companies said.

Stoner lingo translation app

Another dream team prank product: Rosetta Stoned, a mobile app from Rosetta Stone and medical marijuana company Fluent , that "bridges the conversational gap between novice users and seasoned stoners in any social setting."

Da da decoder

Infant equipment site BabyQuip has its own language-bridging lark: the “Baby Translator” app, to decode your baby's secret language.

"Say 'goodbye' to restless nights as you decode your baby's coos and cries instantly, providing you with the understanding you need as a parent, all in one convenient app," it promises.

An AI-powered plush doll

Custom stuffed animal maker Budsies already makes selfie plush dolls with a built-in voice recorder. Its April Fools' spoof: Artificial intelligence-enabled dolls that "come programmed to learn everything about you and to become your new best friend."

A 50-pound Bearabuddy

Sorry to the 3,500 or so who have already signed up to buy Bearaby's Jumbo Benji plush toy, which is four times the size of its regular weighted plush toys and twice as heavy as its heaviest weighted blanket . This isn't actually going to be sold. But it is real and will be making its home in the lobby at The Child Mind Institute in Harlem to welcome children and their families. More weighted plushies are due the day after April Fools' Day, the company says.

A sleeping bag to go bananas over

The Dole Banana Peel Sleeping Bag, conveniently promoted as being available on April Fools' Day only, is made from actual banana fiber and "allows parents to escape into their own cocoon of sensory deprivation."

A full-body cleaning suit

Outrageous clothing company Tipsy Elves has a special product for April Fools' Day: The Mopsie. You don't need paper towels anymore, you can use your body to clean up those messes, with this "innovative, wearable microfiber towel jumpsuit" for "effortlessly soaking up spills and messes with ease." There's also a Baby Mopsie for "hard to reach places."

Korean BBQ deodorant

Kevin's Natural Foods , which has paleo- and keto-certified ready-to-cook and easy-prep entrées, is touting a new line of personal care products inspired by its food dishes including Korean BBQ Deodorant, Cilantro Lime Toothpaste, Lemongrass Basil Shampoo and Tikka Masala Sunscreen.

"These new face, body and hair care essentials will help fans prioritize self-care inside and out," the company says. 

Omaha Steaks' meaty sprays

Omaha Steaks has its own personal care prank product: Meaty Spritz sprays with flavors such as Omaha Fog, Hog Haze, and Cock-a-Doodle-Dew.

"The world’s first protein-infused, flavor-packed, portable pump spray … (to) enjoy all the mouthwatering flavors of your Omaha Steaks gourmet favorites no matter how far away from the kitchen you are!" the company says.

Sriracha toothpaste

Asian sauce maker Lee Kum Kee , which makes Sriracha Chili Sauce and Sriracha Mayo Dressing, is introducing – not – its Siracha Mayo Toothpaste. It's "fiery and creamy goodness … is sure to spice up your morning dental routine."

Post-salad dental kit

Need some less powerful toothpaste? Sweetgreen offered these fanciful personal hygiene products as part of its Sweetgreen After Salad Kit, which is "designed with your pearly whites in mind … offering everything you need to freshen up post-meal."

Choose from Miso Ginger Toothpaste, Spicy Cashew Mints, Lime Cilantro Dental Floss, and Sweetgreen Toothbrush and Floss Picks.

Fruit juice lip gloss

More personal care prank products: Welch’s Juicyfuls Juicy Fruit Lip Gloss – now available in five flavors: grape, orange, peach, strawberry and raspberry – made with real juice from Juicefuls fruit snacks so "you get that irresistible sweet flavor you love, all in a lip gloss that's as fun as it is nourishing."

Protein-powered seasonings

Quest Nutrition , maker of protein powder, snacks and other products, has a prank product line of seasonings including All Purpose, Lemon Pepper, and Garlic Herb, each of which deliver "21g of protein, 2g of net carbs and less than 1g of sugar."

If you want to try Quest's real products, you can use code NOJOKE for free shipping on online orders over $49 April 1-3.

Superpowered Superfeet?

These would certainly come in hand on a run, but – sorry – it's a jogging joke. Superfeet SuperBoost Power E-Soles gives you 8 hours of continuous battery-powered boost, for almost Iron Man-like propulsion. "All the comfort and support of Superfeet , now with electrifying performance," the company says in a video about the prank product. "It's like having a powerful electric motor in your shoes."

Scotch tape-branded Scotch?

This shenanigan seems like a blend that could stick: Scotch Whisky by Scotch Brand. The whisky "features a nose of cherry wood and a delightfully smooth finish that hits like a well-wrapped gift."

Who you gonna call when ghosted? This new title at Tinder

Dating app Tinder announced a new April Fools' Day hiring quest for a Vice President of Ghost Hunting to help combat "one of dating culture’s most prevalent vices – ghosting," a practice inflicted on 78% of singles already in 2024 (an untrue fact from Tinder).

Patrón's bringing back a beloved liqueur. No kidding.

Patrón patrons get some good news today. The premium tequila maker chose April Fools' Day to announce the return of its Patrón XO Cafe tequila-based coffee liqueur, which was discontinued in 2021. Since production ceased, devotees took to social media and signed a petition asking parent company Bacardi to bring it back.

Made with Patrón Silver tequila and Arabica bean coffee – the dry liqueur can be sipped straight, in cocktails and as dessert topping – Patrón XO Cafe will begin arriving in stores again later this month.

Say it with dead flowers

Don't forget to put roses on your April Fools' Day list. UrbanStems has this "special" delivery, The Dead Inside Collection, "an assortment of dead flower bouquets, dead plants, half empty vases, and more for the pessimist in your life." But, for real, check UrbanStems' social media accounts including Instagram for how to get 20% off an order of real flowers.

Cheesecake Factory's real deals

The Cheesecake Factory  also has a deal that's no joke: Sign up for the chain's Cheesecake Rewards loyalty program on April 1 to get an Any Slice, Half Price reward, redeemable for 50% off any slice of cheesecake or layer cake, with any food or beverage purchase (no gift cards).

Those who were members before April 1 will find something special in their account on Monday, too: either a free slice of cheesecake each month for a year, a free whole cheesecake, a free slice of cheesecake, $5 off $25 purchases, or $10 off $40 purchases. (All rewards redeemable by April 16; can be redeemed for dine-in, to-go and DoorDash.)

New merch from Dunkin', bonus points in app

Dunkin' announced it is going back to its roots and rebranding to just "Donuts'" on Monday, April 1. To celebrate the rebrand, the company is selling "Donuts'" merch, including sweatshirts that read "DONUTS," on ShopDunkin.com .

Additionally, Dunkin' Rewards members will receive 3x bonus points on any donut order through the mobile app on April 1.

Urban Outfitters launches 'Name Three Shirts' movement

Urban Outfitters said it is launching a global movement to "stand in solidarity against band-tee-shaming" by launching a new collection called "Name Three Shirts."

The t-shirt line "playfully mocks the gatekeeping attitudes of older generations who insist that band-shirt wearers should be required to name songs by those artists," the company said in a news release.

The line, which features revamped logos from bands such as The Grateful Dead, Joy Division and Led Zeppelin, is a "playful jab at the attitudes of older generations, and fights back against the misogynistic undertones of the infamous ‘name three songs’ line of questioning," Urban Outfitters said in the news release.

The collection of shirts is available online and in select Urban Outfitters stores starting April 1. You can shop the collection online here .

Auntie Anne's, Frontier Airlines collaborate on Pretzel Plane

Auntie Anne's pretzels and Frontier Airlines announced they have collaborated on the newest addition to Frontier's fleet: the Pretzel Plane.

According to a news release, the plane includes new in-flight entertainment featuring Auntie Anne's pretzels rolled seat-side, the "luxurious" smell of hot, fresh pretzels throughout the cabin and airplane-shaped pretzels if you're feeling hungry.

Moe's Southwest Grill, Sonic team up to introduce a Queso Slush

Two popular fast food chains announced a collaboration that is sure to be polarizing.

Moe's and Sonic announced a new beverage, the Queso Slush, a queso-flavored slushie. "The frozen goodness of a Sonic Slush meets the delicious flavor of Moe's queso."

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads:  @mikesnider  & mikegsnider .

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].

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Taiwan earthquake: search for survivors continues into night after nine people killed in quake – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. You can read our latest full report below:

• Nine dead and hundreds injured amid landslides and collapsed buildings
• 4d ago Closing summary
• 4d ago Rescue operations continue into the night, with more than 100 people still trapped
• 4d ago Summary
• 4d ago Nine die and nearly 900 injured in quake, say fire agency
• 4d ago Death toll rises to nine
• 4d ago Death toll rises to seven
• 5d ago Summary of events so far
• 5d ago At least four killed in earthquake
• 5d ago 26 buildings reported "to tilt or collapse"
• 5d ago Philippines cancels tsunami warning
• 5d ago Key points
• 5d ago Japan lifts all tsunami advisories
• 5d ago Reports of 1 dead, 50 injured - Taiwan fire department
• 5d ago Pacific tsunami warning centre says threat passed
• 5d ago Japan tsunami alert downgraded to advisory
• 5d ago 87,000 in Taiwan without power
• 5d ago Aftershocks reported in Taipei
• 5d ago Worst quake since 1999 - Taiwan central weather bureau
• 5d ago Philippines tsunami warning relates to coastal areas
• 5d ago Magnitude revised up - JMA
• 5d ago 10,000 households without power - reports
• 5d ago Epicentre reported as 25km southeast of Hualien
• 5d ago Reports computer chip factory partially evacuated
• 5d ago Reports of damage to houses and water towers - Taiwan
• 5d ago Internet outages reported in Taiwan
• 5d ago Taiwan reports people trapped in buildings - local media
• 5d ago Philippines warns of high tsunami waves
• 5d ago Japan's national broadcaster issues evacuation warning
• 5d ago First images out of Taiwan emerge
• 5d ago Earthquake felt in China - reports
• 5d ago Taiwan reports collapsed buildings
• 5d ago Philippines issues tsunami warning
• 5d ago Japan issues tsunami advisory
• 5d ago Welcome and opening summary

Rescue operations continue into the night, with more than 100 people still trapped

Rescue operations continue into the night as more than 100 people remain trapped in tunnels and in collapsed buildings around Hualien county, near the epicentre of the 7.2-magnitude quake.

About 70 people trapped in tunnels near Hualien city have been evacuated, Taiwan’s national fire agency said.

But authorities lost contact with 50 workers aboard our minibuses heading to a hotel in the Taroko Gorge national park, it said.

At least 64 people were trapped in one rock quarry, and six in another, the fire agency said.

Closing summary

It’s 1am in Taipei. Here’s a recap of the latest developments:

At least nine people have been killed and more than 900 injured in Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years, which caused buildings to collapse, power outages and landslides on the island.

The quake, which started at 7.58am on Wednesday, struck about 18km south-southwest of Hualien , a city popular with tourists on Taiwan’s eastern coast, and was given a magnitude of 7.2 by Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency and 7.4 by the US.

More than 100 people remain trapped in tunnels and in collapsed buildings. The fire agency said 64 people were trapped in one coalmine, and six in another, while rescue workers had lost contact with 50 people who were travelling in minibuses through a national park as the earthquake wiped out phone networks.

Nearly 1,000 tourists and staff were stranded in mountains of Taroko national park in Hualien. Local media reported that three hikers and one driver died after rockslides in the park.

In Hualien city, all residents and businesses in buildings that were in a dangerous state had been evacuated, the mayor Hsu Chen-wei said. Rescuers worked across Hualien county, looking for people who may be trapped and using excavators to stabilize damaged buildings.

In the capital, Taipei, several people were rescued from a partly collapsed warehouse . Strong tremors forced the city’s subway system to close briefly, and damage was visible on some buildings in central Taipei. Aftershocks could still be felt in the capital, with more than 50 recorded, weather officials said.

The quake triggered initial tsunami warnings in southern Japan and the Philippines, but forecasts were later downgraded and lifted. Japan’s meteorological agency warned that aftershocks, with a similar intensity to those felt in Taiwan, may be likely over the next week.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday was captured by the cameras in a newsroom during a live broadcast.

As the quake hit, anchors on air carried on delivering the news while the studio was visibly shaken and lights swayed violently overhead.

Taiwan’s president-elect and vice-president, Lai Ching-te, has thanked the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, for his support and condolences.

Posting to social media, Lai wrote:

Taiwan draws strength from your solidarity & friendship during this difficult time and deeply appreciates the support from the EU.

Thank you, @CharlesMichel , for your generous support and condolences. Taiwan draws strength from your solidarity & friendship during this difficult time and deeply appreciates the support from the EU. https://t.co/udxdZ6cHE1 — 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) April 3, 2024

The US is monitoring the earthquake in Taiwan and is “ready to provide any necessary assistance”, a US national security council spokesperson has said.

A statement from NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson reads:

We are monitoring reports of the earthquake impacting Taiwan and continue to monitor its potential impact on Japan. The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance. All those affected are in our prayers.

One reporter in Taiwan who was heading north towards Hualien after dark on Wednesday evening local time, came across huge holes in the road caused by the earthquake from that morning.

Nathaniel Taplin posted footage moments ago.

Road into #Hualien getting knarlier as we get closer from Taitung pic.twitter.com/8iNs3KK2jK — Nathaniel Taplin (@nate_taplin) April 3, 2024

Meanwhile TV channel TVBS posted a clip of rescue workers trying to clear debris in Hualien, where the earthquake hit hardest.

🚨🇹🇼 Rescue efforts continue following 7.2 quake in #Hualien , #Taiwan : 9 dead, 946 injured, 137 trapped in mountainous regions. #TaiwanEarthquake 💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/gahRjpN359 — TVBS World Taiwan (@tvbsworldtaiwan) April 3, 2024

One person caught up in the earthquake described watching a warehouse crumple like a house of cards on Wednesday and told the Agence France-Presse agency it “was like a mountain collapsed”.

And that was in New Taipei City, near the capital, Taipei, almost 190 miles (300km) from the hardest hit area of Hualien in east central Taiwan .

The witness, named by AFP only as Liu, watched intently as rescuers carefully picked their way through the remains of the warehouse.

Propping ladders against the debris, the rescue workers managed to pluck more than 50 survivors from the destroyed building in New Taipei City. The building was about 60 years old and had housed a printing press, said Liu, who lived next door.

Residents of nearby buildings appeared to be unaffected, though they felt the intense shaking from the morning quake.

Many of the decorations at home fell on the floor, but people were safe. We were very lucky,” said Chang, who lives near the printing press.

New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih surveyed the scene with rescue workers, and told reporters that all 57 people in the building had made it out - with just one injured.

It has just passed 11pm in Taipei and Hualien.

Here is a quick summary of some of the key events so far today:

At least nine people are now reported to have been killed in Taiwan’s earthquake. At least another 900 have been injured.

The earthquake struck at 7:58 am local time , about 18km south-southwest of Hualien. It was about 35 km (21 miles) deep, according to Associated Press

Taiwan’s electricity operator – Taipower- has said more than 87,000 people across the country are now without power, according to the Reuters news agency.

People are trapped in collapsed buildings in Taiwan’s city of Hualien according to local media and the local government has suspended schools and classes in the region.

A witness has told the Reuters news agency that the earthquake was also felt in Shanghai, China. Chinese state media also reported that it was felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Ningde in China’s Fujian province.

At least 64 people were trapped in one rock quarry , not a coalmine as was previously reported, and six in another, the fire agency said.

Authorities also lost contact with 50 people in minibuses after a powerful earthquake quake downed phone networks, Taiwan’s national fire agency said.

The Philippines seismology agency has issued a tsunami warning as well after that strong Taiwan quake, with Philippine coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean expected to experience “high tsunami waves”, according to the Reuters news agency. The tsunami warning issued by the Philippine authorities relates to people in coastal areas of the following provinces: the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.

The Philippines’ seismology agency later cancelled its tsunami warning, saying “based on available data of our sea level monitoring stations facing the epicentral area , no significant sea level disturbances have been recorded since 07:58am up until this cancellation.”

Japan’s national broadcaster has issued an evacuation order – broadcasting warnings such as “Tsunami is coming. Please evacuate immediately,” an anchor on NHK said. “Do not stop. Do not go back”. This was later downgraded to advisory as the tsunami waves that had arrived by late morning were not as high as forecast.

A tsunami advisory has been issued in southern Japan after a powerful earthquake struck near Taiwan on Wednesday morning, according to Japan’s meteorological agency (JMA). This was later lifted.

Here are some more pictures showing the damage caused by the earthquake:

At least 64 people were trapped in one rock quarry, not a coalmine as was previously reported, and six in another, the fire agency said. The quake and aftershocks also caused 24 landslides and damage to 35 roads, bridges and tunnels, AP reports.

Here is the latest report from our video team on the earthquake in Taiwan . Footage released by the fire department there shows emergency personnel walking through dark corridors while going door to door and calling out to residents.

According to a report from Associated Press, Taiwan’s national fire agency appears to have confirmed that 70 miners are trapped in two coalmines in Hualien County after the earthquake.

Sixty-four people were trapped in one coalmine, and six people were in a different mine, AP reports the agency said.

More details soon …

Here is a clip of CCTV footage which shows a multi-storey building collapsing on a busy street in Hualien as Taiwan was hit by its strongest earthquake in 25 years.

• Earthquakes
• Asia Pacific

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