When in Rome ... watch your back.

• Position: Americans Abroad - Travel safety

The pros of traveling definitely outweigh the cons, but that does not mean you should throw caution to the wind when exploring new places. While the language barrier and the cultural sites are exciting, they also open up travelers to scam artists and petty thieves. During the holidays, many of us already are distracted, so adding a new place and big crowds only further overloads the senses, making it difficult to keep eyes peeled for cons and "overly friendly locals."

With this in mind, the members and editors of travel website VirtualTourist have compiled a list of the "Top 5 Worst Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them."

Pickpockets. They no longer are limited to the simple "bump and grab," as their scams and scenarios have diversified greatly. In many instances, pickpockets are working in teams--while one shows you a gold ring or points out mustard on your shirt, a cohort is stealing your wallet.

Keep in mind, though, there are many more things for thieves to steal than your wallet. Cameras and smartphones have a high resale value in most cities. Another popular iteration of this scam is the distraction. A woman will approach you waving a newspaper or asking for help reading something but, under the newspaper, she is palming your iPhone off

the cafe table.

It is important to note that if someone offers you unsolicited help, politely decline and quickly walk away. Always keep the majority of your valuables (passport, important papers, and extra credit cards) in your hotel safe, and make sure to record the serial numbers of any vital electronics that could be stolen, as some cities require a serial number in order to file a police report.

Gypsy cabs. Taxis often are ground zero for scam artists, since passengers entering them may have just arrived in a city or are not completely sure how long or how far their destination is from their pickup. Taxi scams can be as simple as drivers being unlicensed to overcharging and "long hauling," when drivers take a longer route to a destination to increase the fare.

There are a few rules to follow to make traveling by taxi easier. First, Rome (Italy) has queues where licensed taxis wait for fares--always use a taxi from one of these lines. Second, many cities (Rome, New York, and Los Angeles, to name a few) have a set fare from the primary airport to inside the city--make sure to know this number and clarify with the taxi driver this flat rate before letting him place your luggage in his car. Lastly, if...