'Pay attention': The common cash scam to be aware of when travelling
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No matter how vigilant and aware you stay while travelling, millions of Aussies have been scammed while on holiday.
There are some common tricks to be aware of to help protect yourself - especially when dealing with cash.
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Be careful when handling cash. Getty
One of the main ones to be aware of, according to travel expert Rick Steves, is the "slow cash counting" method.
Restaurant or shop staff will clock that you're in a rush. They'll start counting out your change slowly, or with lengthy pauses, in the hope that you'll grab the cash and leave before they finish.
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They may also talk to you, ask questions, or get a third person involved to distract you, Rick writes in his blog.
The goal is for you to get frustrated and leave, taking the change without making sure it's all there.
"Cashiers who deal with lots of tourists thrive on the slow count," the travel expert says.
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The goal is to make you frustrated when you're in a hurry. Getty
Instead of rushing off, make sure you wait until they've completely finished doling out your change. Count your change back to yourself as the cashier gives it to you, or count it after you have received it, before walking away.
Of course, you're very unlikely to actually be targeted - but it's worth always being vigilant when you're dealing with cash. Especially if it's a currency you're not used to, and you don't speak the local language.
When you're in a new place, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the local currency so you can quickly spot any errors - for example to know that a $20 is orange, a $10 is blue, for example.
Familiarise yourself with the local currency. Getty Images/iStockphoto
If you do suspect you've been short-changed, keep calm and politely but firmly point it out to the cashier. They'll likely rectify it immediately, but if they refuse, you can ask for a manager or call the local police.
The Smart Traveller website warns Aussies to also be careful about cashiers trying to give you the wrong change - for example, giving you change for $10 when you paid with a $100 note.
The site cautions travellers to always "pay attention and take the time to check that you were given the correct change".
Paying by card eliminates the risk of being hit with the 'slow count' iStock
Of course, one of the best ways to avoid this is to use a travel credit or debit card while you're on holiday.
However, many places across Europe and Asia are still very much a cash-centric economy.
If you do pay by card, just don't let a shop assistant take your card out of sight or swipe it in a second machine, to protect yourself from card skimming.
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