Dangerous negligence
A nasty trick causing panic to your loved ones at home and that can also cost a lot of money to them and to you was invented in Central America: In an alleged interview by the government, a university, an airline, a travel publisher or whatever, tourists are questioned about their journey, their impressions of the country, their satisfaction with services, etc., and finally about their name, address and phone number at home (so they can be informed about their gains in the lottery which is part of the interview). Then the telephone rings at home and your family is told that you have suffered a major accident, assault or have been arrested for possession of drugs. The caller, supposedly a lawyer, an official of a ministry, police officer, employee of a tourism authority or a hotel manager asks for a wire transfer of a large sum of money via Western Union so you can be assisted quickly. Just think whether this can be arranged on the basis of your registration in the hotel, documents kept in your luggage, open-heartedness in social networks, statements from bank, credit card or insurance accounts that you have thrown away carelessly instead of tearing them into 100 pieces or burning them, plus the international telephone information or the Internet. Decide before leaving home, that never ever shall a transfer be made without making telephone contact with you, your friends on the spot, your consulate, a tourist office or a reputable hotel and make arrangements for the use of the above-mentioned password.
In one case there was even a call on the mobile: “This is the telephone company speaking. We have technical problems and would like to sort them out. Please switch off your phone for the rest of the day.” Thus the family could not reach the traveller to check about the alleged “problem”
... from the new ebook "Surviving your Holidays - 1001 travel tips" in the ebooks-library.com.
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