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Travellers warned over scams abroad
25 Feb 2009
Travellers need to be vigilant while they are abroad to avoid being targeted by con artists, according to an insurance company.
LV= commissioned a YouGov survey which found that a fifth (21%) of British holidaymakers have been conned out of money in the last five years.
Scams include shopkeepers increasing their prices when they see tourists coming, taxi drivers taking the 'scenic route' and timeshare cons.
The research found that the average amount lost by holidaymakers as a result of such fraudulent activities is £250, but despite this only 10% of the incidents are reported to the police.
Emma Holyer, a spokesperson for LV=, said: 'The cold days of winter will spur many of us to start planning our holidays, but with one in ten holidaymakers falling victim to scams abroad in the past two years its clear there is an industry worth billions based on ripping them off.'
Jess Prasad from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) added: 'Being prepared before you go abroad will lessen the risk of you being scammed. Read up on your destination as much as possible before you travel.'
Detailed travel advice on all countries is available on the FCO website.
Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!
LV= commissioned a YouGov survey which found that a fifth (21%) of British holidaymakers have been conned out of money in the last five years.
Scams include shopkeepers increasing their prices when they see tourists coming, taxi drivers taking the 'scenic route' and timeshare cons.
The research found that the average amount lost by holidaymakers as a result of such fraudulent activities is £250, but despite this only 10% of the incidents are reported to the police.
Emma Holyer, a spokesperson for LV=, said: 'The cold days of winter will spur many of us to start planning our holidays, but with one in ten holidaymakers falling victim to scams abroad in the past two years its clear there is an industry worth billions based on ripping them off.'
Jess Prasad from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) added: 'Being prepared before you go abroad will lessen the risk of you being scammed. Read up on your destination as much as possible before you travel.'
Detailed travel advice on all countries is available on the FCO website.
Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!
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