The UK, celebrated for its iconic buildings and its thriving cities hosts millions of tourists across the calendar year. But under this glossy presentation, a profitable business of deception has its sights on the uninitiated. In-depth information on avoiding upfront payment traps can be found on our website.

Taking in the full range from London's overcrowded Underground platforms to Edinburgh's historic, narrow passages Understanding how to identify and evade these dishonest practices is just as necessary as having your travel documentation. To the knowledgeable visitor, financial vigilance is not misplaced anxiety — it is appropriate advance work.

The "fallen" scam is a classic example of London's street-level fraud: An unconnected individual will let a wallet or a mobile phone fall to the floor in your vicinity; a second person will then allege that you are a thief and will seek to get money from you. What to do is simple — stay away from the object and go immediately to a space that is not private. Impersonators of charity collectors will walk up to tourists, their badges in plastic and their documents on clipboards. The usual practice is to force you into payment for a cause that is wholly invented. Legitimate fundraisers carry photo ID and never ask for cash.

Any donation should be sent only to the official website of the relevant charity. Another pervasive scheme involves "free" roses or friendship bracelets handed to you by seemingly kind strangers. After the handing over of the item, they will then approach you with an aggressive request for money. With your hands safely inside your pockets, make a refusal that is strong and unmistakable.

At cash machines, illegal card-reading equipment placed over the slot will take a copy of your card details, while concealed cameras will capture your personal identification number. You should avoid using external cash machines and instead use only those that are inside the bank, and you should put your hand over the keypad for protection. When in pubs and restaurants, be sure to watch for complications associated with the shared bill. The service person will come back to the table with an account that is too high, believing that you will not bother to check the details. Ensure you count the change you have been given, and where possible, use a card that allows contactless payment, or a card that will alert you at the moment a transaction is made. Unlicensed drivers at airports or train stations will overcharge you, drive you by an indirect route, or may even take your bags and drive off with them.

Stick to licensed black cabs or to pre-arranged services, such as Uber. You should turn down any driver who offers you a ride from inside the terminal.

Before you set off, you should inform your bank of your travel plans. This is done to avoid any suspension of your card. It is a good idea to take two payment methods — a credit card that you use mainly and a reserve card. When possible, have them on different card schemes or in different currencies. Have a sum of cash available in case of an emergency; £100 in small notes is a good figure, stored in a money belt or in the hotel's safe. When you are on public wireless networks, you should absolutely avoid opening your banking applications or making any kind of financial transaction. The alternative is to make use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and to use your mobile data whenever you can.

It is important that you activate two-factor authentication on every application connected to your finances. You should also make sure you have alerts for all transactions, so you can see any unauthorised payment the moment it happens.