Tagged: scams

London's Latest Scams: Pedicabs and "American" Candy Stores

In the first decades of Frommer's guides, published in the 1950s and '60s, London's worst scams seemed to be mostly shame-based. Unscrupulous local ne'er-do-wells had a way of trapping…

Don't Scan a Fake QR Code! Scammers Can Steal Your Personal Info

An earlier version of this post has been updated with new information.We know QR codes are convenient, allowing quick access to the website or payment portal of a restaurant, parking…

Hackers Can Steal Your Frequent Flier Miles: How to Protect Your Travel Loyalty Accounts

Imagine getting ready to redeem your hard-earned travel points for a dream vacation, only to find that a cybercriminal has drained your account. That’s exactly what happened to Tracy…

Expert Advice for Spotting Vacation Rental Scams Online

Why is it that only pests seem to have no trouble following the adapt-or-perish rule of evolutionary survival? Koalas and North Atlantic right whales are barely hanging on, but rats,…

Should You Decline Prepaid Fuel When You Rent a Car? The Answer, Once and for All

It's a dreaded moment that comes every time you approach a car rental counter: the part where the agent pressures you to accept the prepaid fuel deal. The pitch seems convincing. If…

What to Do to Avoid Getting Scammed if an Airbnb Host Asks You to Cancel a Booking

Let's say you've made an Airbnb reservation for an upcoming stay that's been confirmed and paid for. Then before your trip, you receive a digital message from the vacation rental's…

Hate Resort Fees? Want them Banned? Now's the Time to Tell the Government

Living in America today requires taking frequent emergency actions to avert the latest civic crisis, be it a high-stakes election, a GoFundMe for someone who slipped through the…

The End of Tourism in Bali? Indonesia Outlaws Sex Outside Marriage—For Visitors Too

The slow creep of religious supremacism in world government has claimed a new victim: one of the planet's most beloved tropical destinations. On Tuesday the parliament of Indonesia,…

Airbnb Is Making It Easier to See Hated Cleaning Fees Earlier in Search

Airbnb is at last bringing more—though not complete—transparency to how rental prices are displayed. In December, the company will begin rolling out a feature that lets users of the…

Scam Alert: Road Trippers Getting Fleeced by E-Toll Racket

During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, road authorities around the world accelerated toward a destination they had been nearing for years: cashless tolls. From New York City's…

Lawsuits Against Hertz/Dollar for False Rental Car Arrests to Reach the "Hundreds"

The Hertz Corporation, the rental giant that also owns Dollar Rent A Car, is facing a growing tsunami of lawsuits after having hundreds of customers arrested. NewsNation, the…

What to Know About Costa Rica’s Red Taxis So You Don’t Get Ripped Off

Say you’ve flown to Costa Rica for a vacation. Excellent choice. Lucky you. After getting through customs at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in the capital of San José or,…

Don’t Fall for This Online Airfare Scam—Here’s What to Watch Out For

One of the most common scams in air travel, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), is what we'll call the Fake Fare Flimflam. The perpetrators of this particular con take…

That Tempting Travel Deal Could Be a Rip-Off. Tips for Spotting a Real Bargain

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens," according to the Book of Ecclesiastes. But is there really a good discount shopping season?…

Warning! Hertz Still Slapping Erroneous Fees on Innocent Customers, Paper Says

Hertz may have emerged from bankruptcy protection earlier this year, but for customers of the rental car company, warning lights are still flashing. The troubled brand that Vanity Fair…

Scam Alert: Passport Processing Swindles Are Booming

We've been warning you about the immense backlog of passport applications facing the U.S. State Department—up to two million people are now reportedly waiting for processing. It…

Hertz Accused of Slapping Fees on Innocent Customers: How to Protect Yourself

Tuesday's Los Angeles Times had a skin-crawling story about Hertz, the rental car giant that just emerged from bankruptcy last week. The article tells the tale of a family who picked…

Vegas Weakens on Resort Fees: Can We Deliver the Knockout Punch?

Las Vegas casino hotels are back in business—but that doesn't mean business is good. Returning casinos have been dealt a potentially losing hand: Health measures have taken away…

New Bill in U.S. Congress Would Squash Hidden Resort Fees. Here's How to Help

A new bill introduced in Congress today will spell the end of hotel resort fees. Maybe. The Hotel Advertising Transparency Act of 2019 would classify the nondisclosure of resort fees…

Yelp Listings Are Replacing Restaurants' Real Phone Numbers with Fee-Charging Numbers

If you use Yelp as a research tool on the road, better think twice. The phone numbers it lists may be decoys designed to connect you with Yelp's business partners.And if you call them,…

Our Travel Podcasts: Summer, Star Wars, Safety, Scams

Each week, Frommer's brings you two fresh podcasts stuffed with travel tips, news, and inspiration. Recordings are made from our weekly call-in show on WABC-770AM in New York and our…

Arthur Frommer: The British Outlawed Deception by Hotels. Why Won't America?

A British organization that regulates hotels—it’s called the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)—has just taken steps to prevent U.K. hotels from using deceptive sales tactics.…

This Airbnb Scam Is Costing People Thousands: How to Protect Yourself

If you've ever booked a vacation rental, this will seem perfectly normal at first. You find a good listing, maybe on Craigslist or maybe on another vacation rental site. It's exactly…

Hotel Booking Sites Are Using These Shady Tactics to Trick You into Booking

Some of the biggest names in hotel booking websites just got chewed out for playing dirty mind games with their customers. The United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA),…

Resort Fees Have Spread to City Hotels Now: How to Get Them Off Your Bill

Resort fees are to be expected today, begrudgingly, at big-sprawling American resorts with pools, private beaches, and grandiose spas. These infuriating fees, which are added daily…