Introduction
Thieves are getting bolder than ever, especially at airports where crowds are large and attention is divided. Here are some things you must never forget to do.

1. Multiple Passengers' Luggage Stolen from the Conveyor Belt

Recently, there have been multiple reports of luggage being stolen from the conveyor belts at Australian airports. Frequent travelers must be extra cautious.

At Adelaide Airport, several incidents of checked luggage being stolen from the conveyor belt have occurred, and South Australian police are investigating.

One woman reported that she and her husband and child had just landed from a Virgin Australia flight to attend a wedding. The family arrived in Adelaide on a Friday afternoon and quickly stopped to change the baby's diaper.

"When we got to the luggage carousel, my husband’s bag wasn’t there," she said.

Investigations showed that their bag had gone through the scanner on the conveyor belt, meaning it had not fallen off at the departure port, but was taken after they arrived in Adelaide.

Just as this woman was reporting the incident to Virgin staff, three more people approached the counter, saying their bags were also missing.

"About 30 minutes later, we were notified that our credit card had been used at an e-cigarette and tobacco store in Glenelg – confirming the bag was stolen," she said.

An Adelaide Airport spokesperson stated that the airport is cooperating with the police as part of the investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage. However, as of now, the thief remains at large.

In fact, luggage theft is quite easy on the conveyor belts. After all, no one other than the owner knows if the bag being taken belongs to them.

To minimize the chances of theft, here are some key things you should always remember to do:

First, use luggage tags that include your name and contact information.

Second, use high-quality travel locks on your bags.

Lastly, many people neglect to install luggage tracking devices, such as AirTags or SmartTags.

For frequent travelers, it’s better to take these precautions in advance to prevent incidents.

Apart from these hard-to-spot thieves, if you encounter the following situations at airports, stay alert and keep your distance!

2. Beware of These Uniformed People – Your Wallet May Be Gone Before You Know It

Since the easing of the pandemic, Australian airports have become twice as busy, with nearly 4,000 flights operating daily. In such a busy environment, if you encounter these situations at the airport, be extra cautious!

Fake Airport Assistants
According to an Australian traveler, after a 15-hour flight from Sydney to Johannesburg, they had just retrieved their luggage and were walking towards their connecting flight to Cape Town when suddenly they were surrounded by uniformed airport staff. A man smiled and showed his badge, saying, "If you walk this slowly, you’ll miss your connecting flight. Don’t worry, we’re airport employees, and we’re here to ensure passengers catch their connecting flights on time."

Before they could respond, the group of people grabbed their luggage and sprinted through the terminal, shouting, "Hurry! The plane is about to close!"

Not realizing what was happening, they ran after their luggage, only to find that when they reached the check-in counter, the so-called "airport staff" quickly changed their attitude. The warm hospitality turned into demands for money.

"We accept any currency. You used our service, and it’s wrong to refuse to pay," they said.

In the end, the travelers had no choice but to hand over money.

Apart from these “fake assistants,” there are other types of scams you might encounter at the airport.

Conveyor Belt Disruptors
Sometimes, while placing your handbag, laptop, and phone into the tray for security screening, you might see someone dressed like an 80s rock band member repeatedly asked to remove another studded bracelet or necklace.

By the time your tray comes up, your valuables are already missing!

This is the work of a "metal person" and their accomplices operating on the other side.

So, always keep an eye on your tray. If you find yourself in such a situation, return to the conveyor belt and express your concerns to security personnel.

Bump-and-Run Thieves
While waiting for your luggage at the conveyor belt, suddenly someone bumps into you, acting overly apologetic, but not simply saying "sorry." Distracted by this person’s behavior, another person might take the opportunity to steal your phone or wallet from your bag.

So, no matter where you are traveling, always keep an eye on your bag. If someone bumps into you, be extra cautious. In such moments, assume others may be professional criminals.

Fake Greeters
You walk out of the arrivals hall and see someone holding a sign with your name and your hotel or travel company name. Naturally, you assume they’re the designated driver from your hotel, and you follow them.

However, when you reach your destination, they demand payment or charge you a higher-than-expected rate.

These fake greeters often copy real drivers' details and stand at the entrance pretending to be there to pick you up.

So, when you meet your driver, always verify their details, including their full name, company ID, and/or driver number.

ATM Good Samaritans
While you’re trying to figure out the ATM machine at the airport, a friendly local behind you offers help.

But these seemingly kind people may have ulterior motives, attempting to pocket your money. Not only could the ATM have been tampered with to steal your information, but your bank details and PIN may also be recorded by fraudsters while you use the machine.

If anyone offers assistance at the ATM, politely decline and find another machine elsewhere. Always cover your PIN and watch out for hidden cameras or card readers.

Fake Currency Exchange
After a long flight, you may feel tired, and the local exchange rates might be dizzying. It’s only the next day, after checking your receipt, that you realize you were charged extra commission, scammed out of a large sum, or charged a higher-than-expected exchange rate.

So, if you didn’t exchange currency before traveling, make sure to use an authorized exchange service or bank when you arrive. The best approach is to bring some local currency with you before you depart, so you don't have to rely on airport services.

Wi-Fi Scams
When traveling, avoid using the public Wi-Fi at airports, as your information may be stolen. This is one of the biggest airport scams ever.

Especially when performing sensitive tasks (like online banking), avoid using public networks.

Conclusion

These days, theft and robbery schemes have become more cunning and harder to spot. To protect your personal belongings, always be vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent potential theft.