Top 10 travel scams to watch for in 2026, experts warn

Tengrinews.kz – Travel brings new experiences, but also extra risk. Experts are warning that in 2026, scammers will lean harder on both old-school tricks and modern tech. Here’s how to avoid getting caught out on vacation, based on advice shared by Fodor’s Travel.
Pickpocketing
Classic pickpocketing is still one of the most common threats. Tourists are especially often targeted in major European destinations, including Barcelona and Rome. A common tactic: someone bumps into you or spills coffee — while another person grabs your phone.

“Keep your bags close and don’t put anything in your pockets that you’d hate to lose,” experts advise.

Fake taxis
At airports and tourist hotspots, scammers may pose as official taxi drivers or ride-sharing drivers. They can confidently show logos and offer a ride — then take a longer route and charge an inflated fare. Travelers report encountering this type of scam frequently in Turkey.
Experts recommend booking rides only through official apps and checking the car model and plate number before getting in.
Fishing emails
With AI, scammers can now create emails that look almost identical to real messages from airlines and booking services. Tourists may receive fake flight delay alerts or booking confirmations containing malicious links.
Experts say you should verify everything only through the official airline or hotel apps — it saves money and nerves.
Fake tours and 'shock-price' deals
In 2026, fake accommodation listings and tour packages at “too good to be true” prices can look extremely convincing. Scammers steal photos of real villas and set up one-day websites. After payment, the “service” disappears.
Experts recommend buying only through trusted platforms and official websites.
QR code traps
We scan QR codes for café menus, museum audio guides and bus schedules — and scammers know it. They can paste their own QR code over the real one. One scan, and you’re on a phishing site that steals card details.
There’s currently no reliable way to verify a QR code before scanning, so experts advise scanning only from trusted sources.
Fake flight compensation
Here’s how it works: if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you get a call or a message in a messenger app. The person introduces themselves as airline support and shares “good news” — supposedly you qualify for an instant payout.
To “receive the money”, scammers send a link to a fake form or ask you to provide full card details.

“Scammers demand the CVV code (three digits on the back) or a confirmation code from an SMS ‘for verification.’ Once the passenger shares it, instead of compensation the account is fully drained,” specialists explained.

Currency exchange 'from hand to hand'
One of the most common tourist traps in 2026 remains illegal street currency exchange — the “friendly local” offering a much better rate “with no commission”. This often happens in crowded tourist areas, train stations and public squares.
Victims usually face one of two endings:

Souvenir money: you get a stack of bills where only the first and last notes are real — or you receive souvenir “currency” made to look authentic.
“Counting” manipulation: using sleight-of-hand, the exchanger repeatedly counts money in front of you, and part of the amount disappears — you end up with only half of what was promised.

For safety, experts strongly recommend exchanging money only at banks or licensed exchange offices.
'Smishing' (SMS fishing)
Travelers renting cars abroad may get texts claiming they owe money for toll roads or parking violations. To “solve the issue”, the message pushes you to click a link and pay online.
Experts remind: official authorities and municipal services almost never send fines via SMS with a direct payment link. Check charges only through your rental company’s official app or the country’s government portals.
Dangerous charging stations (Juice Jacking)
If you charge your phone in waiting rooms or stations via public USB ports, you risk Juice Jacking — a scam where modified USB stations can hack your phone. Once plugged in, your device may be treated like external storage.
Hidden software can then:

Copy data: contacts, private photos, banking passwords, messages
Install spyware: malware that keeps tracking you even after you unplug

Experts recommend using your own wall adapter and regular power outlets (AC), or bringing a power bank.
“Ghost villas” and off-platform payments
This scam often starts on legitimate booking sites — but the goal is to pull you off the platform. The “host” asks you to pay a deposit directly (to a card, payment system, or crypto). Once the money is sent, the listing disappears and the “owner” stops replying.
Experts warn: never pay outside official platforms (Airbnb, Booking and others). Protection only works while the transaction stays inside the platform. Any request for a “direct transfer” is a 100% red flag.
Why tourists are an easy target
Experts say scammers rely on travelers being tired, rushed, unfamiliar with the country, and more likely to trust strangers. Tech changes, but the principle stays the same: double-check information and avoid shady “deals,” even if they look tempting.