11 Common Tourist Scams in Australia & How to Avoid Them

The world's largest island and smallest continent, Australia, is a complete package as it boasts mind-blowing coral reefs, picturesque rain forests, stunning beaches, and red-earthed national parks. According to recent reports, approximately 5.6 million foreigners travel to Australia every year. 

Unfortunately, tourist scams in Australia are quite common scenarios like in other countries. It is best to stay alert when travelling to this country to avoid falling into these traps.

Knowing about the tourist scams in this place will always help you. Given below is a list of 11 tourist scams you must know about to keep guard when visiting Australia:

1. Photography Scam

One of the most popular tourist scams in Australia is the photography scam. Here, a local will request you to take a picture of them. They will hand their camera to you. After you click their picture and try to return it, they will purposefully drop it and blame you for breaking it. Next, they will demand money for the same and harass you.

Common Around: Sydney and Melbourne

2. Friendly Local Scam

Another scam prevalent in Australia is the friendly local scam, where a local approach you under the guise of being friendly. This person will help you with suggestions for top attractions, restaurants and directions and convince you to be your guide. It is an attempt to get close to tourists and pickpocket or steal valuables.  

Common Around: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and places with top tourist attractions.

3. Taxi Scam

One of the most dangerous tourist scams in Australia is the taxi scam, where a taxi driver will pick you up from your hotel or the airport and take you to a nearby ATM so you can pay by cash. They will tell you that credit cards are not accepted. 

However, as soon as you get cash out of the ATM, they snatch the money and drive off without taking you to your destination. 

Common Around: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and major airport areas.

4. Friendly ATM Help Scam

Another popular tourist scam popular in and around the country is the friendly ATM help fraudery. Here, a person will approach you at the ATM and tell you that they are helping you avoid the local bank fees. 

However, they intend to scan your credit or debit card with a card skimmer and view your PIN so they can empty your account moments after you leave the ATM.

Common Around: Most of the ATM centres in Australia

5. Bar Friends Scam

While partying in Australia, beware of the friendly girls and boys who will suggest and invite you for a drink in a bar. They are already in collaboration with these bars. So, after a couple of drinks, you will end up paying more than usual. 

If you fail to pay the money, the bar bodyguards will escort you to an ATM to withdraw large amounts of cash to pay the bill. 

Common Around: Sydney, Melbourne and Perth

6. Guessing Game Scam

As you walk down the streets and alleys, you will suddenly see a person having three colourful boxes. You will also see a group of people around him trying to guess which box contains a ball. 

As one of them in that group guesses the correct answer, the man gives him money as a prize. When you fall prey to this game and concentrate on finding where the ball is, the group members (who were part of the scam) quickly pickpocket your valuables.

Common Around: Sydney

7. Fake Police Scam

Fake police scam is common in Australia and other parts of the globe. Several tourists fall prey to such fraudery where they find police approaching them, and asking for ID or passport and then making up an issue to find them. 

Some police will ask for a bribe in exchange for returning your ID or might misplace your passport. 

Common Around: Sydney, Melbourne and most places in Australia.

8. Wi-Fi Scam

Public Wi-Fi connections are common around the world these days. However, they might become a potential risk for tourists travelling to these countries. Internet scammers often set up free Wi-Fi hotspots in popular tourist places. 

If a tourist logs in and starts using the free internet, the scammers gather all personal details and passwords.

Common Around: Restaurants, pubs and other public places with Wi-Fi in Australia.

9. Staged Distractions

One of the most common staged distractions is the "spill" or the "bird poo" scam. As you walk down a busy street, you suddenly feel something spilling on your clothes from behind. Then, you will find a stranger approaching you for help, holding tissues. 

As you are busy cleaning yourself up and are distracted, this scammer swipes your passport, purse and other valuables.

Common Around: Melbourne, Sydney and the alleys of cities in Australia.

10. Street Ticket Sales Scam

If you find someone selling tickets at unusual discounts, it could probably be a scam. Be it football games, parties, concerts or transport tickets, you will find these scammers approaching unsuspecting tourists almost everywhere. 

Once you fall prey to such fraudery and pay the money, you will never find this person around!

Common Around: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane

11. Fake Hotel Scam

Several scammers have been caught hosting fake profiles for properties in Australia that do not exist. These scammers fake hotel booking confirmations, track emails and hotel sales deals to scam customers. 

With this, they steal customer details and send emails to customers pretending to come from hotel companies.

Common Around: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Before making your travel plans, it is essential to avail of travel insurance to Australia, before you begin your journey. This will ensure the safety of your finances if there is an unexpected event arising.

• If you see someone approaching you and trying to be friendly, avoid indulging in any conversation with that person.
• If you lose your passport, you can get it replaced from the Indian embassy in Australia.
• Kindly refuse to take anyone's picture when anyone approaches you randomly with their mobile or camera.
• Try to keep your guard up, ensure your belongings are secure, and don't let anyone get too close to you. 
• Only take licenced taxis or opt for pre-paid taxi services. Moreover, don't let the taxi driver take you to an ATM.
• Keep your debit/credit card in a secure place to avoid pickpocketing. Opting for travel insurance with financial emergency cash cover rescues you in such emergencies.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN in an ATM to prevent someone or hidden cameras from capturing the details.
• Try not to visit a bar suggested by a 'friendly' local. Ensure you research the place before visiting it. Also, ensure to ask for the bar menu as you arrive at the bar so you can see the prices yourself before buying a drink.
• Always opt for licensed taxis from reputable companies. Verify driver and vehicle details, standard fares and prices before entering the car. 
• Try to avoid crowded places where there is a road show or a game show. When you are in crowded areas, sling your bag on the front of your body to avoid pickpocketing.
• If you are unsure whether a person asking for your passport or ID is a police officer, ask for their ID as well. According to law enforcement, if you're issued a fine by the police, you will have to pay at the station instead of giving them money then and there.

If you face any difficulties, life-threatening positions or challenging situations when in Australia, you can always the Australian tourist police by dialling 000.

Here are some more necessary contacts which are useful to have in case of any emergencies:

• Call this number if you need police assistance, but there is no immediate danger - 131 444

• Call this number if you are interstate and wish to contact ACT Policing - 02 5127 0051

• In case of medical treatment and ambulance assistance – 000

• Consulate General of India, Sydney, Australia - +61-2-9223-2702

• Consulate General of India Melbourne, Australia - 03 9682 5800

• Consulate General of India, Perth, Australia - 0061-8-9221 4205

These are some common tourist scams in Australia that are also prevalent in other foreign countries, with different approaches. If you have an idea about them and know the strategies, you can avoid such frauds. Try to research a particular place before visiting it. Keep the details of the local embassy and the police station in case of any emergency.