Top 7 Travel Scams Targeting Older Adults – And How to Avoid Them

If you love to travel and are over 60, the first item you need to bring is awareness.

Scammers have learnt that older people are frequently the easiest to trick. Why? We are polite. We trust people too quickly. And let’s be honest: a lot of us don’t know how to recognise digital red signals. That’s what makes us weak.

Scammers often pose as officials to win your trust — learn more about how seniors are being tricked by government impersonators and how to spot these red flags early.

The traps are growing smarter, from phoney vacation bargains to dodgy tour guides. And the worst part is? Most consumers don’t even know they’ve been scammed until it’s too late. The money is gone, the “booking” is gone, and no one answers the customer service line.

This guide is for you, the clever traveler who wants to enjoy retirement without being taken advantage of. I’ve looked into the true scams that older people are falling for right now, and more importantly, how you may prevent them without giving up your passion of travel.

Let’s start with the one that happens most often.

1. Vacation Payment & Advance-Fee Scams

A retired couple I know believed they had hit the lottery a few months ago when they saw a “luxury cruise” for seniors for 70% off if they booked right away. They just had to provide a little processing charge and validate their personal information. The cruise? Did not exist. They were left with no money and were angry and embarrassed.

This happens a lot. These kinds of travel scams frequently look like great discounts, including free flights, cheap resorts, or “government-subsidized” vacations for seniors. The problem? To lock it in, you need to pay a modest tax, booking fee, or insurance. But as soon as you send the money, the company disappears without a trace, no tickets, no refunds, and no trace.

It’s called an advance-fee scam, and elderly people are a big target. Why? We trust easily, like a good offer, and a lot of us aren’t used to questioning a well-written email or a warm voice on the phone.

Scammers are aware of this.

They employ threats to get what they want:

“Limited spots!” “Offer ends tonight!” “Act fast or lose your seat!”

They might also say things like “great for seniors” or “great for people with disabilities” to make you feel more comfortable.

The truth is this:

• No legitimate travel provider asks for cash apps, gift cards, or wire transfers as deposits.
• It’s not worth the risk if you can’t discover independent reviews or a real office address.
• Before you pay anything, always check the firm out on the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, or even a simple search on Reddit.

And what if the deal sounds too good to be true?

It probably is.

Before we go on, think about this:

Have you ever been offered a “discount” on travel that seems rushed or shady?
Leave it in the comments; your tale could help someone else avoid the same mistake.

2. The Fake Tour Guide & Dropped-Wallet Setup

This one happens quickly, and most of the time it’s during the day.

A youthful, friendly person comes up to you when you’re wandering through a local market or going to a historical monument. “Are you on the senior group tour?” I can give you a tour. They sound like they can help, and they could even speak your language. They sometimes show you a false badge or name tag. You follow them for a few blocks, and all of a sudden you’re in a store, being forced to buy items, or worse, your wallet is gone.

The twist? This scam usually happens in pairs. Someone nearby drops a wallet or makes a scene while you’re busy with the “guide.” When things are chaotic, your guard is down, which is when thieves steal your wallet or get into your bag.

Why this works for elderly people who travel:

• We are nice because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings who “seems helpful.”
• A lot of us like a guide who gives us information about the area without us having to ask.
• Some people don’t want to say no when they’re in a new environment.

But here’s what people who have traveled a lot know:

Real guides never just walk up to individuals on the street.

You can typically book them in advance, get a license, and find them through your hotel, travel agency, or a trusted app. If someone says they are official, ask for proof and check it right away. Don’t only believe the lanyard or the card that is laminated.

This scam happens a lot in places with a lot of tourists, such Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America. And it commonly goes after senior travelers who are alone or in couples and look lost or are looking at maps.

How to keep oneself safe:

• No matter how “official” they look, don’t ever follow strangers who offer free tours.
• If someone pressures you, give them a phony wallet with a little cash in it.
• Keep your real wallet zipped up and hidden in your pants or a travel belt that can’t be stolen.
• Ask the concierge at your hotel about scams that happen in the area. They will know.

So think about this:

If someone promises you a free tour or insider access when you’re in another country, do you know how to tell if they’re real?

Please share your ideas or any strategies you’ve utilized to stay safe while traveling. Let’s help one other out.

3. Rental Listing & Apartment Deposit Scams

You’re going to stay in a quaint European town or a beachside home in Goa for a month. A short search on the internet finds dozens of listings. One of them jumps out: it has nice images, a quiet location, and amenities that are easy for seniors to use, and it’s half the price of other similar possibilities. The host gets back to you soon and looks like they can help. They offer, “Just send a small deposit, and I’ll block the dates for you.”

But what about when you get there? There is no such site. Or someone else could reside there. Or worse, you just sent money to a false name and can’t get it back.

With the development of unregulated vacation rental sites and Facebook travel groups, this scam has gotten much worse. Scammers take advantage of senior tourists because we frequently arrange longer stays, prefer quieter locations, and like talking to people face-to-face.

What they do a lot of the time:

• Take pictures from real Airbnb or Booking.com listings and publish them again on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or WhatsApp groups.
• You can ask for payment outside of the app via PayPal Friends & Family, a wire transfer, or even cryptocurrencies.
• Use words that make people feel good, such “We love hosting retirees!” or “You remind me of my mom—I’ll keep it just for you.”

This is what the scammers are hoping for:

That you trust too immediately, want to make a trade, and don’t check the listing adequately.

How to keep yourself safe:

• Don’t ever pay outside of the platform. Legitimate rentals using sites like Airbnb and Vrbo don’t ask for cash up front.
• Image in reverse Use Google Images to look up the pictures; many scammers use the same interiors over and over.
• Request a video tour. A real host won’t think twice.
• Read all the reviews, and be careful if the listing is new or only has one good rating.

Both AARP and California Mobility have said that these frauds are quite dangerous for older people, especially ladies who are traveling alone. One survey says that senior Americans wasted more than $70 million to internet home rental scams in just one year.

There are also a lot of horror stories on Reddit about people who paid a deposit, showed up, and found that the place didn’t exist or was already booked. It’s becoming more of a problem, especially in places like Portugal, Bali, and Mexico where people go to retire.

Whether it’s fake rentals or fake jobs, older adults face increasing risks online — check out this guide on common scams targeting retirees online to protect yourself in everyday browsing too.

Think about this:

Do you know how to check out a vacation rental before you send a deposit?

If you’ve ever almost fallen for something like this or learned how to recognize a phony listing, please share your advice. It could save someone else a lot of money.

4. Airport Taxi & Overcharging Traps

You just got off a long flight from another country. You’re exhausted, confused, and maybe not connected to Wi-Fi yet. Outside, a clean-cut driver waves you over and says, “Official taxi, very safe.” I help older people. You nod your head in thanks and accompany him to a car that isn’t marked.

In thirty minutes, you’ll have to pay three times the normal fare, and only in cash. The meter? “Not working.” The bill? “Not available.” And just like that, you’ve paid $100 for a $30 ride, and you can’t find it.

This scam happens every day in airports all around the world, including Bangkok, Delhi, Rome, Nairobi, and Mexico City. And senior travelers are great targets since they are less inclined to argue, more likely to have cash on hand, and may not know the local currency or how to move around.

How this trap normally works:

• Fake taxi drivers wait just outside the real zone.
• They either give you a flat charge or tell you the meter doesn’t work.
• They sometimes take longer routes or say that tolls are extra.
• When someone questions them, they get defensive, angry, or puzzled.

What most people don’t get is that it’s not just about paying too much. Some of these bogus drivers cooperate with pickpockets or drop you off at dodgy “hotel affiliates” where you be sold more stuff or even mugged.

How to stay away from it:

• When you’re at the airport, always use a prepaid taxi counter or an official ride app like Uber, Grab, Ola, or Bolt.
• Never follow a driver who comes right up to you.
• Find out how much the average fare is ahead of time, and know if the city employs meters or zones.
• If you can, don’t use cash. Use cards that protect against fraud.

Many cities have official taxi pricing for airport trips that the government makes public. For instance, the airport in Rome has signs that say the flat charge is €50 to get to the city center. But scam drivers still fool passengers every day because they look pleasant, competent, and can speak basic English.

Before we continue on, think about this: What will you do the next time you go to a nation where you don’t speak the language?

Please share your recommendations for getting to the airport below, especially if you know of safe ways to get there that others might not.

5. Group Tour Switch & Fake Upgrade Scams

You paid for a cultural tour that is easy for seniors to enjoy. It will be at a comfortable pace, with a small group, and everything will be set up ahead of time. But when you get there, things are… different. The schedule has been altered. There are extra costs with the “upgrade” they offered. All of a sudden, you’re stuck on a cramped bus with 40 other people, climbing high hills, eating cuisine you didn’t choose, and spending twice as much for “optional” activities.

The bait-and-switch scam is a ploy that tour operators, especially those that are third-party or based overseas, utilize to get extra money from elderly visitors. They count on the fact that once you get there, you’ll be jetlagged and not know where you are, so you’ll go along with it instead of fighting it.

This is how they did it:

• You can book through a smaller agent or an internet ad that offers tours for seniors.
• They “upgrade” your hotel or itinerary after you pay, but they want more money for it.
• Or they work with local guides who make you pay for tours that were intended to be free.

This trick isn’t always against the law; it’s just wrong. Older travelers are frequently the most at risk since we value convenience, expect honesty, and don’t want to start a fight while we’re on vacation.

What to look for:

• Terms that aren’t clear in the booking confirmation, including “accommodation may vary” and “subject to availability”
• No full list of what’s included
• Agents made promises over the phone with no proof.

The answer? Everything is in the paperwork.

• Before you pay, make sure you get a full, written itinerary and cost breakdown.
• Don’t use broad language like “subject to change.” Instead, ask what can change and why.
• Read reviews of both the booking agent and the local partner, as they are often not the same.
• If you can, go with bigger, trusted tour companies that have clear rules for refunds and disputes.

A user in an AARP travel forum told a story of how her “senior-friendly” trip to Europe turned into a nightmare when she had to walk on cobblestones for more than five hours every day. The guide informed her, “This is what you paid for,” when she objected. You didn’t have to upgrade.

Older people shouldn’t have to fight for something they previously paid for.

Think about this: When was the last time you read the fine print on a group tour? Do you know who is in charge of the trip and what will happen if they change their mind?

Please leave your best recommendations for booking a tour below, especially if you’ve learnt from a terrible experience.

6. Free Wi-Fi Hacks & Digital Theft Abroad

You sit down in a café close to your accommodation. “Free Wi-Fi—No Password Needed” is written on a sign. You sign in to read your email or send a message to your family. Everything seems fine. But while you drink your coffee, someone in the other room is discreetly stealing your passwords, login information, or even your bank account information from the same network.

This isn’t a hack like in a James Bond movie. It’s just basic cyber theft, and it happens every day in airports, hotels, lobbies, and tourist restaurants.

Why older people commonly get hit:

• We want to talk to our family back home, but we might not have data on our phones.
• We typically use the same passwords on more than one device, and we even check our email, Facebook, or bank accounts while we’re away.
• We trust hotel Wi-Fi and public networks more than we should.

This is what truly happened:

Scammers create bogus Wi-Fi hotspots with names like:

• “Hotel_Free_WiFi”
• “Guest WiFi at the Airport”
• “Café_Internet”

Once you’re connected, they can watch your traffic or send you to bogus login pages that look like Gmail or bank sites. You give them your information, and they steal it right away.

Instead, you should do this:

• Never log into your bank accounts on public Wi-Fi.
• Install a VPN app, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, to protect your connection. It’s simple, even for people who don’t know anything about technology.
• In the settings of your phone or tablet, turn off the option to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks.
• Don’t just guess the Wi-Fi name; ask the café or hotel for it.
• When you’re done, log out of all your accounts, especially if you’re using a computer that other people can use.

A lot of senior travelers don’t know that just checking your email on the wrong network can lead to identity theft, trip booking hijacks, or worse.

So, do you know how to tell if a Wi-Fi connection is real? Or do you believe anything that comes up?

It’s time to rectify that if you’ve been utilizing public Wi-Fi without a VPN. If you trust a VPN, please tell other readers below the one you chose.

7. Medical Emergency & “Helpful Stranger” Scams

You or your spouse suddenly feel weak while walking through a busy market or sitting at a train station. Someone nearby runs over right away and asks, “Are you okay?” I am a doctor. Or: “I’ll help because my cousin works at the hospital.” It seems like a gift.

But when you’re not paying attention or your spouse is in trouble, your bags go missing, your credit cards are stolen, or you’re hustled into a dodgy clinic that charges hundreds of dollars in cash.

This is one of the scariest scams that senior travelers confront because it takes advantage of our natural tendency to trust others who offer help when we’re weak or confused.

This is how it normally goes:

• A scammer can add just enough of anything to your food or drink to make you dizzy.
• Or they fake a “medical emergency” near you and beg for your help. While you’re busy, their partner steals your stuff.
• Some people who work at pharmacies act like they’re helping you translate a prescription while they secretly take pictures of your ID or credit card.

Why older people are often the targets:

• We are more prone to have serious health problems that can be used against us.
• Scammers think we have emergency cash, prescriptions, and insurance cards on us.
• We are less prone to push back when we are under a lot of stress.

Here is everything you need to know:

• In an emergency, real doctors don’t ask for cash up front.
• If you or your spouse suddenly feel sick, don’t ask random people on the street. Instead, ask hotel staff, security officers, or people in uniforms.
• Don’t let anyone you don’t know touch your phone, wallet, or passport, even if they say they want to assist.

In India, Thailand, and Turkey, there have also been reports of false “ambulance” scams, where people are taken off the street and into an unregistered clinic, where they are forced to pay cash before being released free.

Instead, do this:

• Keep a translated medical alert card with your conditions and emergency contact information with you.
• Put a compact emergency card in your wallet with the country’s emergency number, the embassy’s contact information, and the details of your travel insurance.
• If someone claims to be a doctor or a guide, kindly but firmly ask them to call your hotel or the local embassy before doing anything.

If you’re concerned about being prepared in case of a health emergency while abroad, our Medicare protection guide for seniors offers tips on coverage, documentation, and what to know before you travel.

Now ask yourself this: If you or someone you love had a minor health emergency while traveling, do you know who you could really trust?

Your advice could help someone else if they’ve ever had trouble obtaining medical care while abroad. Tell me what you did well or what you wish you had done differently.

Outsmarting Travel Scams — Without Losing the Joy of Travel

Let’s be honest: the thought of frauds may make everyone nervous. For older people, it can seem like the world has changed too quickly. There are QR menus, digital pickpockets, and bogus Airbnb listings, which is a lot.

But here’s the most important thing: staying wise doesn’t imply staying terrified.

You don’t have to stop looking around. You don’t have to give up your dream vacation or say no to traveling alone. You should travel like a skeptic, but act like you know what you’re doing.

This is the change in thinking that works:

• Think that every stranger might have a reason to hurt you, but don’t act like everyone is a threat.
• Check deals again, but don’t let paranoia spoil excellent ones.
• If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and walk away.

The truth?

Most of the time, travel goes smoothly. But the scammers only attack when you let your guard down for a short time. And they want kindness, perplexity, or even just that one click you didn’t think twice about.

So make a plan for yourself:

• Check in with one family member every day.
• When you can, don’t use cash and use a VPN on your phone.
• Take pictures of your ID, travel insurance, and reservations, and then back them up.
• Stay with brands you trust, but always preserve receipts and get everything in writing.

And don’t forget that it’s alright to say no.

• Say no to the “friendly” tour guide who comes by without being asked.
• Don’t let the hotel clerk make a copy of your passport “just in case.”
• No to a bargain that sounds too good to be true.

If you know what you’re doing and are ready, you’re already ahead of most travelers, no matter how old they are.

So here’s my question for you: What’s one scam you didn’t fall for or learned from the hard way?
Someone else might be able to travel better because of what you’ve been through.

Leave a comment or send this story to a friend who needs a reminder: growing older doesn’t make you a target; it makes you savvy.

Stay Safe, Travel Smart — And Help Others Do the Same

If this guide helped you feel more confident about traveling smarter, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with someone who might be booking their next trip soon — a parent, a friend, or anyone over 50 who still loves to explore.

At FameTribute.com, we don’t just talk about lifestyle — we protect it. Join our community of sharp, independent older adults who believe that age is just a number — but awareness is power.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general awareness and travel safety education. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, scams and local laws can vary by country and change over time. Always verify details with official sources and consult your travel advisor or embassy for urgent issues. FameTribute.com does not provide legal or emergency assistance.