The UK, defined by its heritage sites and energetic metropolises welcomes several million travellers every twelve months. Yet beyond this polished exterior, a covert apparatus of swindling is poised to deceive the casual tourist. Extensive resources on how to spot fake profiles can be found on the online guide.

From the busy Tube stops of London all the way to the narrow, time-worn lanes of Edinburgh Your ability to see through these schemes and take measures against them is as important to your safety as your official identification. For the aware traveller, economic caution is not irrational concern — it is a necessary part of travel.

The "dropped wallet" confidence trick is a classic London scam: An unknown person will let a wallet or smartphone fall next to you; a co-conspirator will then allege theft and will insist on financial redress. The solution is simple — do not touch the item and walk away immediately to a public area. Fake charity collectors approach tourists with laminated badges and clipboards. Often pressuring you to donate to a non-existent cause. Legitimate fundraisers carry photo ID and never ask for cash.

Always direct donations to official websites. A further deception often used is the distribution of roses and friendship bracelets at no charge by individuals who look as if they mean you well. These people will then set about demanding money with some force. Make sure your hands remain in your pockets, and say a clear and unequivocal no.

When you are using a cash machine, be careful that there are no card readers on the slot that can take your details, and also watch out for hidden cameras that can get your PIN. You would be well advised to only use ATMs that are inside bank buildings, and you should always cover the number panel with your hand. In public bars and restaurants, you need to be alert to the difficulties that can arise with bill splitting. The person serving you may return to the table with a bill that has been fraudulently increased, hoping you will not inspect the itemised list. Always count your change carefully and use contactless where available, or a card that will tell you about each transaction immediately. Fraudulent drivers of vehicles at airports or train stations will demand a sum of money that is not reasonable, select a route that is unnecessarily roundabout, or in some cases will take your belongings and depart.

Make sure that you only use fully licensed black taxis or pre-booked services such as Uber. You should never, under any circumstances, accept a lift from a driver who approaches you within the airport or station building.

Prior to your travel, you should be sure to update your bank about your trip. This is done to avoid any suspension of your card. Have with you a primary card and also a supplementary card. If you can, have the two on different platforms or in different forms of money. Hold a separate amount of currency for unexpected needs, around £100 in small bills, placed in a money belt or a safe at the hotel. When using public Wi-Fi, never access banking apps or make purchases. What you should do is use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and use your mobile data wherever you are able to do so.

You should enable two-factor authentication on all your financial apps. And set up transaction alerts to catch unauthorised charges immediately.