Every city and society has it’s ‘bankers’ who masquerade as being credible and then line their pockets at their victims expense. Here are a some you might not want to bail out.

ATM Machines

Take Away Food

Kerb Crawling Minicabs

ATM Machines

ATM machines run by the main banks do not charge for withdrawals. They usually display a notice saying you will not be charged for using this machine.Thes machines are usually in the front of banks and building societies in main road locations and in railway stations etc.

ATM machines in some airports,pubs clubs and other retails outlets will usually charge you for the privilege. If you use a machine that does not state the service is free expect to pay a administration charge of several pounds.

Those looking for a really bad deal should try Travelex, the retail foreign exchange company who frequently offer the worst retail exchange rates at ‘money exchange bureaus in airports and other popular tourist locations also operate a UK network of ATM machines. In addition to the very poor exchange rates, those using their machines are charged an administration charge for every transaction.

Take Away Food

This is every tourists nightmare where ever they are as there are two issues here hygiene and price. In the UK food hygiene standards in restaurants and takeaways are generally good. However in London the prices for food are often inflated and a good rule is to buy from a chain where prices will generally the same as outside London – safe bets in this respect area are chains Burger King, Cafe Nero, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds and Pizza Express. Outside the main tourist areas and in the suburbs local individually owned fish and chips shops are usually ok. Similarly comments apply to kebab houses though the doner sometimes might be best avoided.

Food supplied from street traders ie hot dogs stalls on a sophisticated supermarket trolley at night s best avoided as many of these are illegal operations and the hygiene standards are often wanting.

Food supplied from parked up mobile vehicles is very variable with some operations perfectly safe. Best approach here is to run a critical eye over the general cleanliness of the equipment serving area and windows before ordering. If it does not seem to be clean and your not into Russian roulette look elsewhere.

Kerb Crawling Minicabs

Private cars that pull up alongside you in the street, bus stops, outside clubs or railway stations – particularly at night – and claim to be a minicab or taxis should be avoided at all costs. The drivers of the vehicles are road pirates who unlike Taxis drivers and licensed minicabs have not been ‘character’ vetted. Neither will their vehicles have been checked to ensure they are roadworthy. Because they are operating illegally you will not be covered by any insurance if they are involved in an accident.

London Taxis drivers have to study and memorize the main roads, back streets and location of key public places for several years to get their license. This ‘knowledge’ is why only London Taxis are licensed with the ‘for hire’ sign lit up are to pick people up in the street. it means that when you get in a taxis you are very unlikely to get lost or end up travelling ten miles on what should be an eight mile journey. Licensed minicabs do not have to study ‘ the knowledge’ and for this can only pick people up on the street if you have contacted their office

Therefore anyone pulls up alongside you and offers you a lift is breaking the law. If you accept their offer you could be inviting trouble for the following reasons:.

They could be ‘anyone’ innocent or criminal, the car may or may not be roadworthy, they may or may not where they are going and they can charge you whatever they want to for the journey. They will not be insured and certainly won’t be paying and tax on your money

more Tourists Traps to Avoid In London To follow shortly