9 of the most common tourist scams you'll encounter around the world

• Scams happen all around the world — and tourists are an especially vulnerable target.
• We compiled a list of some of the most popular travel scams around the world.
• They include dishonest taxi drivers, fake monks, and the classic "lost ring" trick.

Tourists are often a scammer's favorite targets — they're in an unfamiliar area, they don't know the local customs, and they're probably holding a lot of cash.

Even the savviest travelers can wind up victims of a scam from time to time, so it's important to know what type of scams exist around the world.

We looked at travel sites and tourism blogs to find some of the most common scams around the world you'll encounter as a tourist. 

Learn the signs, and make sure you don't fall victim to one of the gambits below.

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Watch out for currency exchange deals that seem too good to be true

In many countries, currency exchange businesses prey on tourists who don't know the local exchange rate.

For one, many businesses will advertise that they take 0% commission on exchanges. That may be true, but they will hide the fact that their exchange rates are several times more than the norm.

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

And watch your money when it's behind the counter

Even if a currency exchanger charges you a fair amount, it doesn't mean you're out of the woods yet. Another popular scam occurs when you slide your money under the window — the person behind the counter may hand you back counterfeit currency. Alternatively, they could intentionally short-change you, so make sure to count your bills before you leave the window.

Remember that ATMs and banks generally give better exchange rates than kiosks, so they're usually not worth the hassle.

Always insist on using the meter in a taxi

In some countries, taxi drivers will try to make some extra cash off you if they mark you for a tourist. One popular way is to attempt to negotiate a price before you start your journey. Of course, the price will be much higher than what it would cost ordinarily.

Avoid this scam by insisting the driver use the meter before you go. If they refuse to turn it on, find another cab.