Managing Excursions in Areas with Tourist Scams

Be Street Smart!

We often focus on physical risks like traffic or terrain, but in urban environments, tourist scams are a genuine security threat. They are not just an annoyance; they lead to lost money, identity theft, and insecure interactions with strangers who do not have your students' best interests at heart.

In high-traffic tourist destinations, school groups are often seen as "soft targets" because students can be naive and easily distracted. On a trip to a major European city, I watched a student nearly lose their bag in a distraction scam involving a petition clipboard. It was only quick intervention from a nearby trip leader that prevented the theft.

Awareness is Your Best Defence

By treating scam awareness as seriously as environmental hazards, you strengthen the group’s protection.

Education Before Departure: Brief students on common local scams (e.g., the dropped ring, the friendship bracelet, the "spilled coffee") and exactly how they operate. Knowledge is their armour.

Group Structure: Scammers target stragglers. Move in smaller sub-groups with an accompanying teacher assigned to each, ensuring no student is isolated on the periphery.

Secure Personal Items: Visibly secure valuables. Encourage the use of money belts or zipped bags worn close to the body, rather than open backpacks.

Incident Protocols: Have a clear process for reporting and responding to scams or theft immediately. Students need to know they can report an incident without fear of getting in trouble.



Including these social risks in your risk assessment ensures your group is aware of the environment they are entering and helps trip leaders stay alert to suspicious activity.