How you can avoid getting duped by bogus travel agencies

YOU’RE OUT EXPLORING Bangkok city when a friendly, English-speaking Thai approaches you.

“Tourism Information Thailand (TIT)”, the signage reads.

Inside, the walls are plastered with posters of scenic beach views complete with blue waters glistening in the sun and the golden domes of the country’s revered temples.

A few well-groomed people seated behind the counters politely greet you and introduce themselves as travel agents sanctioned by the Thai government before asking you questions about what you’d like to do in Thailand.

They then start showing you brochures of tour packages, some costing up to THB34,200. That’s a whopping US$1025.50.

But it’s a steal, they smile warmly as they explain, as it includes private transfers, a luxurious villa stay by the beach, ground experiences, and meals.

Source: Shutterstock.

Such hospitality! You’re tempted. You’re nearly convinced. You’re on holiday, after all.

However, you’re getting a nagging feeling about this and you start paying attention to the details:

• Not a single government or tour certification can be seen.
• You’re told there’s a no refund policy.
• They won’t accept payment in credit cards, only card.

That should be more than enough for warning bells to go off in your head.

“As travelers, it is easy to think that we are smart enough to avoid getting ripped off. But, the truth is, it happens to the best of us,” Expert Vagabond wrote.

“While it is nearly impossible to know when you will be scammed, it is important to know what kind of scams exist, and what to do should the situation arise.”

According to We Are Not Tourists, highly touristic cities like Bangkok, Mumbai, Delhi just to mention a few are notorious for inventing all kinds of highly sophisticated ways to help tourists off their money.

So how do you ensure you won’t get duped by bogus travel agencies?

Research, research, research

Make sure you have all the information at hand before departing for your holiday destination.

Websites like TripAdvisor can be pretty handy to prepare you for your trip thanks to its user-submitted reviews.

Source: TripAdvisor.

Also, ask around to get tips from people who have been to where you’re going. After all, word of mouth can be more powerful than reading reviews online.

Make your own itinerary

Turn up prepared. Know exactly where you want to go and what you want to do.

Source: Shutterstock.

Weeks prior to going on your vacay, jump on Google and start searching up all the attractions and experiences you’re interested in.

Then, pack them all into your itinerary, leaving no gaps for suggestions or changes.

Call the tourist police

In the event that you have been scammed, first, call your bank (if you’ve paid by credit card) to find out if you can reverse the transaction.

Then, get in contact with or go to the police or the tourist police.

Source: Shutterstock.

State your case and get them to help you by accompanying you to the shady agency to get your money back.

Stalk the profiles

There are instances of online travel agents selling too-good-to-be-true tour packages only to disappear into thin air after money has been received.

To avoid becoming a statistic, do a background check on the company.

Source: Shutterstock.

Go as far as stalking the Facebook profiles that are leaving good reviews on the page because likely, a chunk of them are fake (as in not real people).

Keeping a safe distance

And above all, avoid overly-friendly local people who approach you on the streets.

The moment they start asking too many personal questions (What’s your name? Where are you from? How long are you going to be here? Where are you going?), bail.

Source: Shutterstock.

No stranger complete stranger can be that friendly unless if they’re looking at you with dollar signs in their eyes.

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Source: travelwireasia.com