Quick, cheap, and easy transport has allowed everyone and their mother to fly all over the world. One day you can dine in lavish French restaurants in Paris and the next you can ride elephants in Thailand. However, with travel inevitably comes that less-than-honest tout looking to separate you from your money. Maybe you run into that nicely dressed taxi driver who informs you that he knows of a “special shopping sale” and offers to take you there for next to nothing. Maybe you fall into the trap of street games (cards, dice, etc.) and loose your pocket change. Worse yet, maybe you never realized you were scammed at all.

The primary thing to be said is that most people who are traveling internationally are ignorant of the customs, traditions, laws, and social behaviors of the host country in which they are traveling. Every foreigner immediately becomes an easier target for any sort of scam, simply because they are less likely to ever realize they are unfairly separated from their money. Beyond this, there is the wide misconception that travelers are rich. Most people in the world don’t have the money to travel, and it is a sign of wealth if you can indulge in such luxuries. It matters not if you have only a dime to your name. This is especially true in poorer countries, where scams are far more likely to occur. It pays to be cautious on the family vacation to London, but it is a matter of necessity to have your wits about you when walking the streets of Bangkok.

It is impossible to safeguard yourself from every possible scam. Thousands exist and hundreds more are thought of each day. The number one way to protect yourself, then, is to be aware that you are a target when you are abroad, especially if traveling alone or on a budget. Foresight is the primary shield. Nothing is excessively easy or cheap, and if anyone claims that they can get you across the country for half of what you thought it would cost, you should probably pass up the offer. Realize that you are most likely to be scammed when you are tired, cramped, groggy, overwhelmed, or busy; the time when your mind is distracted is the time when you should be on the lookout. It is always best to rely on your cautious side rather then jump on every deal. You may miss out on a few cheap T-shirts, but you won’t end up having your bag sliced on an overnight bus and have your money stolen.

There are, however, common scams. They are implemented in a variety of ways, but if you are aware of them and can spot the signs, you will save yourself a lot of time and money. The following scams are compiled from both my personal experience with too much lost money and far too many headaches and the tales of fellow travelers.