Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Tomsk, Tomskaya Oblast’, Russia
1. Taxi Scams
Be wary of overpriced or non-metered taxi rides. Always agree on the price before starting your journey.
- Price Gouging: Taxi drivers may charge exorbitant prices, especially for tourists.
- No Meter: Some taxi drivers may refuse to use the meter, insisting on a fixed price.
- Unmarked Taxis: Unlicensed taxis can be found posing as legitimate ones, so always check for official markings and licenses.
2. ATM Scams
Be careful when using ATMs, especially those in isolated areas or with no clear signage of the bank. Watch for skimming devices and be wary of people hovering nearby.
- Skimming Devices: Thieves may install devices to copy your card details.
- Isolated ATMs: ATMs in isolated areas can be targets for theft and vandalism.
- Suspicious People: Individuals may try to distract you while attempting to steal your card or PIN.
3. Flea Market Scams
Be aware of overpriced or counterfeit items at local markets. Always negotiate prices and check the quality of goods before purchasing.
- Overpricing: Vendors may charge tourists inflated prices for souvenirs.
- Counterfeit Goods: Some vendors sell fake or low-quality goods, especially popular items like fur hats and matryoshka dolls.
- Unfair Negotiation: Vendors may be reluctant to negotiate prices with tourists, so always try to bargain for a better deal.
4. Restaurant Scams
Avoid restaurants near popular tourist attractions as they may overcharge or serve poor quality food. Look for local favorites and always check the bill before paying.
- Overpricing: Restaurants near tourist areas may charge higher prices.
- Poor Quality Food: Some restaurants may serve subpar food to tourists.
- Hidden Charges: Restaurants may add unexpected charges or service fees to the bill.
5. Tour Guide Scams
Choose reputable tour guides and agencies. Be wary of unsolicited offers or guides who insist on a specific itinerary or method of payment.
- Unsolicited Offers: Some guides may approach tourists offering tours without prior arrangement.
- Forced Itinerary: Guides may pressure tourists to visit specific shops or attractions for commissions.
- Payment Method: Some guides may insist on cash-only payments or refuse to provide receipts.
6. Airbnb Scams
Always book through the official Airbnb website and communicate with hosts directly on the platform. Be cautious of properties that are significantly underpriced or have few reviews.
- Underpricing: Properties listed at unusually low prices may be fraudulent.
- Few Reviews: Properties with few or no reviews should be approached with caution.
- Off-Platform Booking: Bookings made outside the official platform may not be protected by Airbnb's policies.
7. Sim Card Scams
Buy SIM cards only from authorized retailers and avoid vendors near airports or train stations. Check the card for any unusual charges before activating.
- Vendors Near Airports: Vendors near airports may sell stolen or faulty SIM cards.
- Unusual Charges: SIM cards may have hidden charges or data packages activated without the user's knowledge.
- Data Packages: Be cautious of unsolicited offers for expensive data packages.
8. Public Transport Scams
Buy tickets only from authorized ticket vendors and avoid overcrowded buses or trains. Be aware of pickpockets in public transportation.
- Overcrowded Vehicles: Overcrowded vehicles can provide opportunities for thieves.
- Unauthorized Ticket Vendors: Unauthorized ticket vendors may sell fake or invalid tickets.
- Pickpocketing: Public transportation can be a hotspot for pickpockets, especially during peak hours.
9. Bar Scams
Stick to established bars and avoid bars with few customers. Be cautious of drinks that are spiked or overpriced.
- Few Customers: Bars with few customers may be unlicensed or have other issues.
- Drinks Spiked: Drinks may be spiked with drugs to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists.
- Overpriced Drinks: Some bars may charge exorbitant prices for drinks, especially in tourist areas.
10. Street Performer Scams
Appreciate street performances but be wary of performers who insist on payment for photos or requests for money during the performance.
- Insistent Payment Requests: Performers may aggressively request payment during or after their act.
- Photography Fees: Some performers may ask for payment to take photos, even in public places.
- Excessive Donations: Performers may request excessive donations, especially if they are collecting money in a hat or other container.
11. Sports Event Tickets Scams
Always buy tickets through authorized vendors and be cautious of tickets sold by strangers. Check the authenticity of tickets before attending events.
- Strangers Selling Tickets: Tickets bought from strangers may be counterfeit or invalid.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Counterfeit tickets can lead to denied entry or other problems at the event.
- Overpriced Tickets: Tickets may be significantly overpriced, especially for popular events.
12. Ferry Scams
Only use official ferry services and avoid unmarked or poorly maintained vessels. Check the validity of tickets before boarding.
- Unmarked Vessels: Unmarked or poorly maintained vessels may be unsafe.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Counterfeit tickets can lead to denied entry or other problems during the journey.
- Overcrowded Ferries: Overcrowded ferries may pose safety risks and offer opportunities for thieves.
13. Wi-Fi Scams
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions as they can be insecure. Use a VPN if necessary.
- Insecure Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks can be easily accessed by hackers, putting your personal information at risk.
- Data Theft: Hackers can intercept data transmitted over insecure networks, including login credentials and financial information.
- Malware Infections: Public Wi-Fi networks may be infected with malware that can harm your device or steal sensitive information.
14. Exchange Scams
Exchange currency only at licensed exchange offices and avoid street vendors. Be cautious of rates that seem too good to be true.
- Street Vendors: Street vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates or provide counterfeit currency.
- Too Good to Be True Rates: Exchange rates that seem too good to be true often are.
- Counterfeit Currency: Counterfeit currency can cause problems when attempting to make purchases or exchange back to a different currency.
15. Accommodation Booking Scams
Book accommodations only through reputable websites and never pay in advance without confirmation. Always read reviews before booking.
- No Confirmation: Paying in advance without confirmation leaves you vulnerable to scams.
- Low Reputation: Accommodations with low ratings or few reviews should be approached with caution.
- Payment Requests Out of Platform: Requests to pay outside the booking platform can lead to financial loss or other problems.