Spain taxi scam catching holidaymakers out Irish tourists urged to stay alert

Spain is among the top holiday destinations for Irish tourists, and with thousands set to travel there over the coming months Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been keeping citizens updated with the latest information and advice.

Spain is generally considered a safe country for both residents and tourists, however holidaymakers are still advised to take standard travel precautions and stay informed to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.

It comes as a warning has been issued about a ‘taxi scam’ that’s been catching some tourists out. One expert has claimed that some taxi drivers take passengers on a longer route in order to get a bigger fare.

Nicky Kelvin, head of the Points Guy UK, old Express.co.uk: “A key scam to look out for is when you take a taxi or another car service in an unfamiliar destination. Drivers may take a much longer route to get to your destination in order to maximise the cost of your fare.”

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He added that while it’s always better to use an official taxi company to avoid such a scam, they can be less common in some European cities. Tourists should also make sure the taxi metre is working to avoid being overcharged.

Other scams that are allegedly doing the rounds in Spain include fake tickets and pickpocketing. Explaining the fake ticket scam, Nicky said: “When visiting another country and touring the sights, it’s important to stay vigilant when it comes to ticket scams. Locals may try to sell tickets to attractions, buses, trains and other touristy venues and quite often, they’ll claim the tickets are discounted or offer them as a way to jump the line, however, these tickets can be fake or can expire when you try to actually use them.

“As technology has improved over the years, so have fake tickets and they can look almost identical to the real thing. The best way to avoid these scammers is to plan ahead and purchase tickets from an official ticket office or official website.”

Official crime advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs for Irish tourists in Spain reads: “Most of Spain has a moderate rate of crime. However, given the very high number of holidaymakers that visit Spain, additional security measures are rolled out in public areas at peak times, such as during the summer and at Christmas.

“You should be aware that in areas such as airports, bus stations, railway stations, tourist areas and major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, there is a much higher risk of pickpocketing and muggings.”

The DFA has advised Irish citizens in Spain to take the following precautions:

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets, passport and money together in the same place, for example your luggage or bag. Leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary, and consider carrying your Passport Card. Leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as cafes, train and bus stations, bars, restaurants, etc.
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.

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