At the airport, especially in an unfamiliar city, you can feel vulnerable: you don't always understand where to go, where to change money and you are afraid that you have lost your luggage. In addition, you can easily be scammed at the airport, and unfortunately, there are quite a few options for deceiving travelers. We have compiled a list of the most common fraudulent schemes so that you are ready to fight back against unscrupulous people!
Currency exchange
Almost every airport has currency exchange offices where every traveler can change money. The conditions there are often not the most favorable: an inflated rate, a commission, only large banknotes are issued, which are rarely accepted.
It is best to use bank cards, and if you need cash, change small amounts in exchange offices outside the airport. The rate can be found in the applications of banks.
Taxi scam
When you go to the waiting area of the airport, you will meet taxi drivers who will offer you their services. They may claim that their prices are lower than those of taxi aggregators, and since public transport allegedly does not work, their services are the only option! But in fact, they carry passengers in roundabout ways, deliberately lengthening the route so that the final amount is high.
In order not to fall for the bait of these scammers, order a taxi in advance through official applications or at the taxi service counter at the airport. If you want to travel by public transport, study the route and choose the desired bus, tram or buy a ticket for the train that will take you to the city.
Baggage supplement
At the check-in counter, it is not uncommon for your baggage to weigh more than the norm and your carry-on baggage does not fit into the calibrator. The passenger may also be told that the ticket he purchased does not include the carriage of luggage, in order to take a woman's bag on board, you need to pay extra, and so on.
Changes in the rules on the spot can occur for several reasons: the airline wants to make money or because of faulty scales. Some employees will even stubbornly prove to you that you cannot bring some things on board the plane for free, although by law and by the rules of their airline this is allowed!
In order not to face the above situations, study in detail what can and cannot be carried in hand luggage, find out the dimensions and weight restrictions for suitcases. Weigh your bags at home or on a checkweigher at the airport; If at the check-in desk you are told that the indicators are much higher than necessary, then a photo of the previous scales will come in handy. Do not hesitate to record the speech of an airline employee on video if he begins to impose paid services! If you understand that you are being deceived and cannot explain why you should pay extra for your luggage or hand luggage, if such a condition was not in your ticket and fare, contact the senior manager.
Pickpockets and "helpers"
There is a huge flow of people at airports, and no one notices each other. This is what pickpockets use, who can easily rob your bag and steal all your valuables.
Beware of assistants who allegedly want to help you carry your luggage - later they may demand payment from you, and their accomplices can easily rob you.
Always keep your personal belongings with you: in a breast pocket, in a belt bag. Do not leave your luggage unattended even for a few minutes! If you need help, always contact the airport staff: they are in branded clothes and with a badge on their chest.
Be careful in the luggage waiting area, near gates and in any crowded places - there is a very high risk of running into pickpockets.
High prices in shops and cafes
Many people know that prices in shops and restaurants at airports are inflated: here a simple bottle of water costs as a full-fledged dish in a restaurant, and if you want to eat, then get ready to literally go broke. There are also such wild cases when visitors are asked to pay for packaging, and when paying by bank card, a commission is charged!
If you know that you will have to sit at the airport for a long time, then buy a snack in advance. In a café or store, before paying for a dish or product, specify its final cost and only after that make a purchase decision. Have lunch in chain cafes, if there are any at the airport: the prices for them are "universal", you will pay about the same as in a similar café in the city.
Insecure Wi-Fi
In a foreign country, travelers often use local Wi-Fi, because they have not yet bought local SIM cards, everyone connects to the Internet at the airport - and so often they fall into the "clutches" of scammers. Attackers create access points with names similar to the official one, the traveler connects, enters his data, and at this time the fraudsters receive all the information from his phone, including money from bank cards.
Use only the official Wi-Fi from the airport! Information about it can be obtained from employees or find a sign with all the necessary information. And even if the connection is secure, you should not make banking transactions from your phone and log in to social networks — for this, use only the Internet on the SIM card.
