As soon as I got into the taxi in Buenos Aires city centre, I knew something wasn’t right.

The driver was just too damn big. Ergonomically, he was utterly unsuited to driving a taxi.

Hunched over the wheel, which seemed tiny in his hands, he looked like a cartoon criminal ‘henchman’.

Then he drove off in the opposite direction to where we were meant to go, towards the nearby and aptly named Villa de Miseria (Ghetto of Misery). I pointed this out and he then pretended that the car had broken down and pulled in.

Another taxi, which had been following us, pulled up right behind. Its driver was also huge – a bizarre coincidence in a city not known for producing gigantic humans.

We tried to pay and get out but the driver claimed our money was counterfeit and told us to go up a dark lane to a ‘post office’ where we could withdraw ‘real money.’ (It was 7am when no ‘post office’ would be open).

As the second cartoon henchman lumbered nearer, after more red flags than a Chinese Communist Party congress, we threw the money on the seat, opened the doors and ran away.

Holiday insurance won’t stop you getting scammed but it can ease the pain. If the scam involves pickpocketing, bag-snatching or theft, you can make a claim as long as you file a report with the police.

I believe we had narrowly escaped the ‘Secuestro Expres’ (kidnapper taxi) scam which is notorious across all of Mexico, South America and the developing world – particularly Buenos Aires.

It’s also popping up in eastern Europe and there was even a kidnapping case reported in the Canary Islands. Closer to home, fake taxis are more likely to overcharge you then overpower you but they are still worth avoiding.

And they are just one example of a proliferation of fraud targeting us at our most vulnerable point – on our holidays.

I believe we had narrowly escaped the ‘Secuestro Expres’ (kidnapper taxi) scam which is notorious across all of Mexico, South America and the developing world – particularly Buenos Aires

‘Unfortunately, scammers are always ready to take advantage of sun-seekers, who become easy targets for scams and rip-offs, especially once you relax and let your guard down,’ says Eoin Clarke, Commercial Director at Switcher.ie, one of several organisations to have recently warned about holiday scams and advised how to avoid them.

By following a few simple rules, he says, ‘you can outsmart the fraudsters and ensure your holiday is filled with happy memories, not financial nightmares.’ 

Here’s how:

Get insured

Holiday insurance won’t stop you getting scammed but it can ease the pain. If the scam involves pickpocketing, bag-snatching or theft, you can make a claim as long as you file a report with the police.

The cost of replacing missing documents like passports are also usually covered. And in a worst-case scenario, you are covered for medical and hospital expenses.

However, travel cover will not reimburse you for money lost in scams involving fake rentals or excursions. Nor will it cover any costs if you overpay for counterfeit goods abroad.

Know your rights

‘If you paid by credit card, you may have stronger protection than with debit cards or bank transfers,’ advises the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

If scammed into buying something faulty, fake or non-existent, you can file a chargeback with your bank to get your money by reversing the transaction.

The cost of replacing missing documents like passports are also usually covered. And in a worst-case scenario, you are covered for medical and hospital expenses

And under European and Irish law, your liability for unauthorized transactions is capped (usually at €50) unless you acted fraudulently or with gross negligence. In reality, most major credit card issuers have zero-liability policies.

Do your research

‘Before you part with your cash, thoroughly research travel websites, tour operators, and parking firms,” says Eoin Clarke.

Read company reviews and scrutinise the small print to avoid being duped by a dodgy deal.

‘Being careful doesn’t mean having less fun. Plan for car hire, activities and day trips in advance so you’re not tricked or rushed into parting with your money before you’ve checked the small print.’

‘Whilst it’s great to let your hair down on holiday, sorting things like travel insurance and prepaid travel or credit cards in advance can not only protect you if things go wrong, but also ensure you and your family enjoy a hassle-free trip.’

Be especially careful online

Watch out for cloned websites as well as social media scams, says Switcher.ie.

‘Fraudsters use slick social media ads, sham influencers, and cloned logos to mimic official airlines, holiday firms, and government websites – like passport or EHIC renewals – to steal your money or identity,’ advises Mr Clarke.

‘Avoid third-party agencies and book directly through official websites. Always double-check website URLs and verify logos, licences, and social profiles. 

‘Although the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) protects your holiday, scammers can use fake licence numbers. If in doubt, visit IAA.ie to verify the company.’

Skimming

Skimming your credit card details used to only happen when a shop assistant took your card out of sight to swipe for payment – and then secretly copied its details onto another machine.

But it can also happen at ATMs via hidden cameras or even using what is known as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) scanner as you just walk by.

To combat skimming:

• Watch that shop assistants don’t remove the card from your sight
• Pay with cash if suspicious
• Scan the area around ATM for anything unusual.
• Only use official ATMs in a bank
• Keep your cards in wallet that blocks RFID scanners.

Booking

Beware of scams involving holiday lets, banks and consumer watchdogs have warned this summer.

‘These scams typically involve fraudsters advertising properties that either do not exist or are not available, tricking people into making upfront payments,’ says Allison Ewing, Fraud Manager, Education & Awareness.

‘In many cases, the fraud is only uncovered on arrival, leaving victims without accommodation and scrambling to find alternatives at short notice, often in an unfamiliar country where options may be limited.’

The bank has seen an increase in both the number of accommodation scam cases and the amount of money lost by customers so far this year compared to the same period in 2025.

Here’s what it advises:

• Don’t be rushed into making a payment. Fraudsters often create urgency, for example, by claiming a last-minute cancellation that must be booked immediately.
• Consider whether the offer could be fake. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages requesting payment or claiming a payment issue.
• Always use official booking websites and keep communication and transactions within trusted platforms.
• Check the web address carefully before booking, look out for small spelling changes, or type the address directly into your browser to avoid fake links.
• Verify the listing and read independent reviews. Search for the property on trusted sites such as Tripadvisor or Trustpilot, rather than relying on links provided by the advertiser.

Fake taxi scams

Getting a fake taxi could have deadly serious consequences – as I recount at the start of this article.

To avoid taxi rip-offs:

• Use licensed taxis. Check the driver matches the profile
• Use well-known taxi apps – and again check the driver’s profile
• Photo the vehicle number, the taxi company and the driver’s name and send to a friend.
• Keep your wits about you, don’t be afraid to challenge any suspected fraudsters and if all else fails – run away as fast as you can!