Watch Out For These 5 Popular Travel Scams This Spring Break

4. Beware Of Taxi Scams

With the rise of Uber and Lyft in the United States, it’s easy to forget how popular taxis are in other parts of the world. Before you visit a country or a region you’re not familiar with, search as many travel forums as you can to learn about their taxi system. In many countries, taxi drivers will try to rip off tourists by taking the longest route possible, or by simply charging them an exorbitant rate. Agree on a price before you get into the car or call a reputable local taxi company ahead to reserve your car.

5. If You Stay Home, Don’t Fall For Phone Scams

If you are staying home this spring break, you also need to be wary of suspicious phone calls. According to the Better Business Bureau, you might receive a call from a relative who is purportedly traveling and in urgent need of money. This is a good one to share with the elderly people in your life, as they are frequently targeted by this “grandparent scam.” Remember: If someone really needed help, they would call the police, not you.

So, what can you do to avoid being scammed when you’re traveling? The Better Business Bureau has some tips:

• Book through a reputable website or travel agency. Search the name online—if it’s one that’s new to you, do some more digging before you book.
• Buy travel insurance. It may seem frivolous, but travel insurance can actually save you a ton of money if you get scammed or need to cancel your trip.
• Get travel details in writing. Many vacation rental property managers will send over a contract that you need to sign before they’ll rent you the place—this is good. If you don’t get any concrete information in writing, ask for it.
• If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Use your common sense when assessing travel deals. There are legitimate markdowns and sales, but make sure that’s exactly what you’re getting, not a scam.