If you are heading on holiday soon, you need to be wary of three things – your car, bag and wallet.
And when it comes to driving, you could even be at risk without knowing it. The Foreign Office is currently warning spanish tourists to “be wary” of what could happen when they get in a car.
Whether you or someone else is driving, the GOV.UK website, under the safety and security page, talk about “vehicle crime” which is a common occurrence in Spain.
In their warning they say that “Highway pirates target foreign-registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans.”
These so-called pirates often flag cars down and lie, telling drivers and the people in the targeted car that “something wrong with your car or that you have damaged theirs”.
If this happens the Foreign Office warns: “If you decide to stop to check the condition of a vehicle, stop in a public area with lights, such as a service station. Be wary of anyone offering help.”
In addition to ensuing you are in a safe place, the travel officials note that when you are driving, you need to “be wary of approaches from people posing as plainclothes police in unmarked cars.
In all traffic-related matters, police officers will usually be in uniform. Unmarked police vehicles have a flashing electronic sign on the rear window saying ‘Policía’ or ‘Guardia Civil’. Genuine police will only ask you to show vehicle documents – not to hand over your bag or wallet.”
