If you happen to be a tourist traveling right after some worldwide calamity (such as the volcano situation in Iceland, flying ashes all over the continent) you might face the unfortunate experience of having all the possible flights cancelled.

As you are in the airport or even in your hotel, somebody wearing a uniform approaches you saying she is from the Civil Aviation Authority, or some other similar organization.

After double-checking if you had a ticket, she will tell you that because all the flights were cancelled every passenger is entitled to compensation. The scammer will mention you’ll get a sum, usually from $500 to $2,500, and she will ask you to provide all the details so they can wire you the money (bank account, etc). Happy to receive a grand or two, you’ll just give her all your details, and probably lose a lot of money as a result… The approach from the scammer could also come as an e-mail, not only in person.

How to avoid: actually, when all your flights are cancelled, nobody is in a hurry to offer you compensation – you have to fight for it. So don’t for one moment expect anyone to run after you offering it.