Thursday, May 26, 2011

Protection NYC Style From Scams to the Travel Clinic

The world is filled with magic, exotic places beckoning you and your American dollars. There are many things you should prepare for before heading overseas. One of the most important things is visiting a certified travel clinic. They can help with a ton of stuff that the average traveler is completely aware that they even need help with. If you are from a large city, say like NYC, there are other things to look out for. Being from a city like New York will give you the upper hand when dealing with travel scams. Here are few to lookout for. Remember to protect yourselves overseas at all times…or else those hard-earned American dollars will slip into the exotic night.

Conversationalist Cashiers
This is a very popular scam to be on the lookout for. A cashier is handling your credit card as she speaks a mile-a-minute. She may even drop the card. This is all done so that she can snap a photograph of your credit card with her cell phone. Later in the day you find that your accounts have been emptied. Poor you.

Ketchup Con
This is a pretty popular one in many countries. You will be in a crowd outdoors when someone bumps into you and gets ketchup (or mustard…or even bird poop!) on your clothing. He will then apologize profusely as he helps to clean it off. Meanwhile he is going through your pockets to steal your cash and/or credit cards. Never think you are above being tricked. These people are professionals and earn a living doing this sneaky stuff. They are good at it!

Being from NYC only affords us so much protection from scams and rackets such as these. There are tons of way to protect your wallet and cash from bad guys but there is only one way to protect your health—and that is by visiting a certified travel clinic before you head off on your trip-of-a-lifetime.

The “I can’t believe my luck!” scam
Usually perpetrated against single males traveling alone. A gorgeous woman begins to chat you up, she likes you, she invites for a drink at a local bar. You follow like the hairy ape you are. When the check arrives it is for an exorbitant amount of money. Before you can argue you notice the burly, steroid-infused bouncer guarding the door. You pay like the sucker you are.

Hotel Inspectors
There’s a knock at your hotel door. (Usually) two men in official-looking uniforms tell you they are employees of the hotel and are checking for a host of things, like heating/air conditioning problems, TV reception problems, etc. While one of the guys is speaking to you and keeping you busy the other is pocketing any cash and/or valuables that may have been left out in plain sight.

Remember that while you are on vacation making memories that will last a lifetime, there are individuals who prey on tourists in their country of origin. It is just too easy sometimes. A fish out of water makes a good target for these unscrupulous characters. Protection should always begin with your health. That is why visiting a travel clinic should be high on your list when planning a trip overseas.

For those from NYC, think about visiting travel clinic new york city website before heading off on your journey. From common-sense factoids to inoculations and prescription drugs they will do everything they can to make your trip as safe as possible. Call 1-212-696-5900 for more information.

Remember: don’t let the bad guys ruin a good trip.

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