HOLIDAY SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
Most of us recognise a scam on the Internet. We are prepared for them and generally avoid them. Emails saying we have won a holiday or a vast amount of money when we know for a fact we haven’t entered a competition or the email telling you how to earn an extra couple of thousand a month for next to no work.
But in real life it can be more difficult and unexpected. Here are some of the scams currently occurring around the world:
1. A telephone call informs you that you have won a cheap trip to Florida or the Bahamas. For say $500 you get a $2000 holiday. Just give us your card details and we will arrange the rest.
Of course do not give them your card details. They will take the full value of the holiday without your consent and you will almost never get them to give the money back. Your card company won’t help you because you gave your card details to someone you didn’t know and couldn’t see.
2. Bogus travel companies. If you are offered extremely cheap holidays beware. Some companies are set up, sell loads of holidays then close down, pocketing the money.
Book your holiday with a reputable travel agent, hotel or airline. Make sure they are registered and also make sure your insurance covers you if any part of your holiday does fail to be delivered.
3. The next scam took place in Shanghai. At two in the morning the phone rings in your hotel room. Reception are trying to process your credit card but are having problems so could you please bring it down to the desk. You say it is two in the morning, they say okay just give us the details over the phone.
Again don’t give your details to someone you don’t know and can’t see. Hang up and ring reception to check it out. If there is a genuine problem tell them you will deal with it in person in the morning. At least then if there is a problem you can point out the culprit to the local police. Also check your credit card statement carefully after foreign holidays.
4. Exchanging money. You need cash and the banks are closed so you look for a currency exchange booth. You find a sidewalk booth and change your money. There is a disturbance and you do not carefully check the money you have received or open the envelope it is in.
Never change money at anything other than a fixed booth. This means a permanent structure not a bamboo hut, market stall or a man with a suitcase full of cash. Go in pairs to change money so one can count while the other deals with distractions. If money is already in envelopes, open them and check thoroughly. Some have been found to contain cut up paper.
5. Being drugged. Your new found friends drug your drink and make off with all you possess. This is quite old hat. The new scam is to put burundanga (similar to Rohypnol) on pamphlets then hand them out to foreign tourists.You take the drug in through your skin. This has been happening in Venezuela.
It is better to go clubbing in groups or pairs of people that you know. If you are being bought a drink chose a bottled drink and watch it being served. Have the cap removed in front of you. Keep your eye on your drink. With regard to pamphlets, simply don’t take them from strangers.
6. Unlicensed taxis. You arrive tired at your destination and there is a long queue so you go for the guy with an unlicensed cab. The least of your worries in this situation is that you will be overcharged.
Never get in unlicensed taxis.
7. At the Airport Conveyor Belt. You put your things on the conveyor belt. The guy behind is in a big hurry and pushes past you but then he gets held up at the metal detector with change and numerous keys. You wait patiently. But, the guy in a hurry has an accomplice who makes off with your stuff from the conveyor belt.
This unfortunately does happen frequently. So watch your stuff, don’t let people barge in front of you and follow the advice in a previous article, buy cheap and cheerful luggage. The more expensive and tasteful your luggage the more likely it is to be targeted.
8. Scams in general. Anyone offering to make you big money while on holiday whether for carrying a package or pretending to be injured to claim the insurance should ring some alarm bells with you.
Steer clear of them and their scams, especially any that require you to part with any money.
Probably 95% of people have a trouble free holiday. We want you to be in that percentage. We want you to have a great holiday and to relax and enjoy yourself but that doesn’t mean relaxing so much that your guard is completely down. So read the article and be prepared and informed so you can have a great, trouble free vacation.
THE BAHAMAS - ONE OF OUR TOP 10 TAX HAVENS
Posted by Roy
The Bahamas merits serious consideration as a tax haven – primarily but not exclusively - as a business tax haven and it also offers similar tax advantages for the retiree.
Situated 50 miles from mainland USA, it has a superb climate, excellent communications (the equal of major cities in USA) and a stable economy and government. If that is not enough to tempt you, how about this list of items which are not taxable or applied to a business:
Personal or Company Income Tax
Capital Gains Tax
Witholding Tax
Business Tax
Estate Tax
Gift Tax
Death Duties
Sales Tax
Inheritance Tax
Exchange Controls
The key to benefit from these concessions is to form (as in Belize), an International Business Company. Not a difficult exercise, cheap and possible to set up within 24 hours. An IBC apart from benefiting from the tax system for a minimum of 20 years, does not require public records, has no minimum capital requirements and you may lease but not buy an office property in the Bahamas. Needless to say no business may be conducted with Bahamanians. Most types of business are allowed apart from those in the financial sector and banking. The ideal location for the IBC is in the Freeport Free Trade Zone on Grand Bahamas since no taxes are paid on imports and exports through this gateway.
Residency for retirees is difficult but not impossible. The Home Owners Residence Card required in the purchase of property acts as both visa and residency permit.
This “Tax Free” paradise obviously has many attractions apart from the tax situation but it has one drawback in that being an island, imports for sale in Bahamas carry customs duty making goods in the shops expensive which tends to make the cost of living high.
The Bahamas is one of our top ten Tax Havens. We hope you agree it is definitely worth considering. As with all advice on Tax Havens consult your financial advisor for help with your particular circumstances.
THE BAHAMAS - 10 TRAVEL TIPS
Posted by Sunny
Here is a little travel advice. 10 tips that may prove helpful when you are going on your Bahamas vacation.
1. The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar this is equal to the American dollar and both are used on the islands.
2. On entering the Bahamas you must fill out and sign an Immigration form, remember to keep your half you will need it upon departure.
3. Driving is on the left so to everyone who is not used to this be careful and beware of the roundabouts.
4. Electricity is usually 120 volts AC. So American appliances are compatible. For everyone else take an adaptor.
5. For those going to the Bahamas to fish, spear guns are illegal. If you are entering by boat clear customs at the nearest point of entry. A fishing permit is required for your boat it is $20 per trip.
6. The official language of the Bahamas is English with a Bahamian dialect.
7. Eastern Standard Time is used on the islands. Eastern Daylight Time is used April to October.
8. If you want to tip it is usual to give bellboys and porters $1 per bag and for waiters, taxis etc 15% is usual.
9. Banking hours in Freeport are 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
10. You can wear casual clothes during the day but you may need something a little warmer for evenings in December, January and February. In the Capital in the evenings men are usually required to wear a jacket in restaurants, casinos etc. Don’t wear inappropriate clothes in the street, churches, restaurants or casinos. By inappropriate I mean bikinis, thongs, very revealing clothes, this goes for men and women.
BAHAMAS - SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS
Posted by Roy
In this article we continue the series on eco tourism and take a look at an exciting adventure in the Bahamas swimming with the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.
Three miles from Nassau and Paradise Island is a wonderful, natural Marine Park, which is now a sanctuary for the Bottlenose Dolphins. On Blue Lagoon Island or to give it its official name Salt Cay – you can really get “up close” with these fascinating and intelligent animals in the warm clear waters. In December the water temperature is around 70 degrees and wet suits are not required. Sun cream is a must!
You can have a choice, depending on how “brave” you are. For a first experience there are waist-deep wooden platforms on which you can stand and make friends with the dolphins pet them and feed them and get to know these gentle creatures until you are ready to join them in their world.
The ultimate thrill is to swim with them, usually for 30 minutes and really commune and interact with these delightful creatures. They are even likely to nuzzle up to you and push you along in the water. An underwater camera would provide the unique holiday photographs with which you can impress and bore the friends back home.
As you have already read, the Bahamas are a beautiful group of islands with friendly people and it is not just all about dolphins. There is a multitude of other sports and activities but swimming with dolphins must surely rate high on the list.
THE BAHAMAS - THE COUNTRY OF 700 ISLANDS
Posted by Sunny
It is impossible to write just one article about the Bahamas. As you can see from the title of this piece “The Bahamas the Country of 700 Islands” it is just too large a subject. That being the case we will do a number of articles about various of the islands, the people, the activities, living there, the nightlife etc. This first look at the Bahamas will be an over view and give you a taste of what to expect in the future.
First and foremost the Bahamas are easy to get to. This is one reason for its long-standing popularity as a winter holiday destination. Only a few miles from the south Florida coast, in fact closer than Caribbean destinations, the islands can be reached quickly either by air or by sea.
From Grand Bahama and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated islets and cays (pronounced keys). There is the very cosmopolitan Nassau with its duty free shopping, markets, casino and nightlife all the way down to the wildlife sanctuary of Inagua. There is everything in between. There are pretty almost “American East Coast” style villages on some of the Islands. The only differences being the lovely climate and the palm trees.
These Islands are truly wonderful with some of the most beautiful and clean beaches in the world, clear blue seas, abundant marine life, exotic plants and wildlife.
The Bahamas have an international reputation for sailing, with regattas and races held year-round. The islands are actually the birthplace of the Gulf Stream, a phenomenon that also accounts for their astonishing variety and abundance of marine life. Legendary game fish draw sport fisherman in search of the “big one,” and more than 50 international fishing records have been set in these waters. The great writer / fisherman Ernest Hemingway live here on the island of Bimini.
On your holiday in the Bahamas you can swim with dolphins, go snorkeling or diving , try a little golf, take a cruise, stroll on the beach, dance all night, bicycle, try your luck at the casino, sail, parasail, go on an eco adventure, shop till you drop, take up flying, play tennis or simple relax with a good book and a cool drink.
The charming and hospitable Bahamians are happy to tell you of their rich history, with tales of pirates and adventurers, to introduce you to their culture and cuisine.
Inland are gardens and National parks with rare and endangered species, such as the exotic Abaco Parrot and the Bahamian Iguana. This is a diverse and beautiful country. Perfect for the adventure holiday maker, fishermen, sailors, the photographer, the eco tourist, families or the romantic couple looking for a private get away. The Bahamas have everything.
Whether you want an active family holiday or a quiet and peaceful get away from it all break you are sure to find it in the Bahamas, on one of its 700 islands.
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