Top travel scams

Vacation is a time to relax and unwind. A week or so off to eat well, rest and catch up with family, friends or other loved ones. But for all too many American travelers, things can go terribly wrong if scam artists wreak havoc on their carefully planned trip. From suspect taxi cabs to rampant credit card fraud, scams exist in every facet of travel. Here are a few big ones to look out for and tips on how to avoid them: If there is no official taxi queue at the airport, it can be far too easy for many people to be swept into the arms of fraudulent car and limo services. “These scams range from crooked meters to unscrupulous drivers,” says Alex Puig, Regional Security Director for Travel Security Services, a U.S. security firm. To avoid a taxi scam, “it’s good advice to settle on a price before heading off in a taxicab,” according to Puig. “Use only official and licensed taxis and make sure your driver knows exactly where he or she is going before closing the door,” he adds. Read article