21 Common Travel Scams Making a Comeback and How to Spot Them

21. The Bar Bill Switcheroo

In touristy nightlife districts, you may be invited to a bar by a friendly local or guide who insists it’s a favorite spot. Drinks flow, music’s great—until the bill arrives and it’s five times what you expected. You’re not allowed to leave until you pay. To avoid this, research bars in advance, never go with a stranger to an unknown venue, and always ask for a menu or price list. When in doubt, stick to popular or hotel-recommended spots.

Scams may change costumes, but the script stays the same: distract, deceive, and disappear. In the age of hyper-connectivity and wanderlust-fueled travel, the oldest tricks in the book are finding slick new stages—from airport terminals to sunlit piazzas. But here's the good news: awareness is armor. With the right knowledge, you don’t have to trade openness for paranoia. You can still say yes to the street food, the spontaneous detour, the local recommendation—just with eyes wide open. Think of this list not as a warning, but as a travel toolkit. The more you recognize the moves, the more confidently you can dance through unfamiliar places. Because the real reward of travel isn’t just the views—it’s the stories, the moments, and the peace of mind that come from moving through the world on your own terms. So stay curious. Stay alert. And never let a scammer rewrite your adventure.