Charlotte Foster
Travel Tips

Costly mistakes to avoid when travelling

While travelling the world is an exciting and joyous way to spend your time, getting caught up in devious scams can sour even the best holiday.

Whenever you hit the road, there are a few measures you can take to avoid being hit by hackers and sneaky scammers, and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. 

When it comes to online scams, some countries are more vulnerable than others, as NAB Executive, Group Investigations Chris Sheehan says.

"Just like you'd plan visas and check the weather at your destination, it's also vital to be aware of common scams in the countries you're visiting so you can recognise the red flags and protect yourself," he said. 

When travelling in a new country, it’s important to be wary of accommodation or booking website impersonation scams, ticket scams for major events, as well as overcharging or wrong charge scams.

"The pressure to act now is a red flag in ticket and accommodation scams, while overcharging or wrong charging scams play on distraction and a lack of detail," Chris says.

"Letting your bank know where and when you're travelling can help with more accurately monitoring your transactions for suspicious activity while you're away."

Another thing to be wary of when on holiday is to avoid posting your real-time location on social media, or inadvertently sharing sensitive travel documents can expose you to serious risks.

Broadcasting your whereabouts can make you vulnerable to various risks, including burglary, stalking, and other personal safety threats, while criminals can take advantage of the information you share to target you or your unoccupied home.

Travel expert Trevor Cooke from EarthWeb says its best to wait until you’ve moved on until you share your location online. 

"If you really want to share the location of where you travelled to, wait until you're already at the next location or back home," he says.

"By delaying your posts, you can still share your experiences without compromising your safety."

Another thing to keep in mind when you’re next hitting the road is to be wary about unknowingly posting personal information online, such as your boarding pass. 

"Many people don't realise how much personal information is on your boarding pass and other temporary travel documents," says security expert Trevor.

"Boarding passes, for instance, contain sensitive data such as your full name, frequent flyer number, and a barcode that can be scanned to reveal even more information. This data can be used by criminals for identity theft, unauthorised access to your accounts, and other malicious activities."

"To protect yourself, always double-check that any picture you upload does not include your boarding pass, travel itinerary, hotel receipts, or any other sensitive information," Trevor adds.

Image credits: Shutterstock 

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travel tips, scams, holiday