Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Rochester, New York, United States

1. Rochester Tourist Information Center

Provides travel advice and alerts about local scams in Rochester.

Travel Advice: Offers suggestions on safe areas to visit
Scam Alerts: Keeps you informed about the latest scams in the city
Local Culture Understanding: Helps tourists understand the local customs and avoid misunderstandings that might lead to fraudulent activities.

Offers safety tips to prevent becoming a victim of crime while in Rochester.

Offers secure and reliable public transportation to avoid scams on the streets.

Secure Travel: Provides a safe and dependable way to travel
Transit Alerts: Keeps you informed about any transit scams or issues.
Cost-Effective: Offers affordable transportation options, helping to avoid scams related to overpriced taxis.

Provides guidance on using ATMs safely and avoiding skimming scams.

ATM Safety: Shares tips to protect your card and PIN from theft.
Skimmers Detection: Informs about the signs of skimming devices on ATMs.
Card Protection: Offers advice on protecting your card and minimizing damage from fraud.

Alerts tourists about accommodation scams and offers advice on booking safe lodging.

Offers information about the consequences and risks of fare evasion on public transit.

Legal Consequences: Explains the penalties for fare evasion.
Safety Risks: Highlights the dangers of traveling without a valid ticket or pass.
Cost Savings: Reminds that paying the fare is not only the law but also essential for transit safety.

Alerts tourists about taxi scams and offers advice on safe taxi travel.

Taxi Safety: Informs about the risks of unofficial taxis.
Meter Check: Shares advice on verifying that the taxi meter is functioning correctly.
Prepaid Fares: Offers guidance on prepaid fares to avoid overcharging.

Provides information about nightlife scams and offers safety tips for a fun and safe evening.

Nightlife Safety: Informs about the risks associated with nightlife activities.
Drink Safety: Offers tips on avoiding drugged drinks and ensuring personal safety.
Transportation: Shares advice on safe transportation options after dark.

Alerts tourists about food scams and offers tips on finding safe dining options.

Food Safety: Informs about the risks of eating unhygienic food.
Reputable Restaurants: Shares tips on finding well-rated and reputable dining options.
Street Food Safety: Offers advice on safely enjoying street food in Rochester.

Warns tourists about internet café scams and offers advice on staying safe online.

Online Safety: Informs about the risks of using public computers.
Password Protection: Offers advice on protecting your online accounts.
Data Security: Shares tips on keeping your personal and financial information secure.

Alerts tourists about event ticket scams and offers advice on purchasing valid tickets.

Event Safety: Informs about the risks of attending fake events or unauthorized shows.
Ticket Verification: Offers tips on verifying the authenticity of tickets.
Reliable Ticketing Sources: Shares guidance on purchasing tickets from reputable sources.

Alerts tourists about street performance scams and offers advice on enjoying entertainment safely.

Entertainment Safety: Informs about the risks of getting involved in unsolicited performances.
Donation Guidelines: Shares advice on appropriate donations for street performers.
Scam Detection: Offers tips on identifying potential scams related to street performances.

Alerts tourists about parking scams and offers advice on finding safe parking spots.

Parking Safety: Informs about the risks of leaving vehicles unattended in questionable areas.
Authorized Parking: Offers advice on finding authorized parking spots.
Parking Meters and Passes: Shares guidance on using parking meters and obtaining valid parking passes.

Alerts tourists about souvenir shop scams and offers advice on finding reliable shops.

Souvenir Safety: Informs about the risks of buying low-quality or counterfeit items.
Reputable Shops: Shares tips on finding well-rated and reputable souvenir shops.
Pricing: Offers advice on negotiating prices and avoiding overpriced items.

Alerts tourists about tour guide scams and offers advice on finding reliable guides.

Tour Safety: Informs about the risks of joining unauthorized tours.
Reputable Tour Guides: Shares tips on finding well-rated and reputable tour guides.
Tour Price: Offers advice on negotiating prices and avoiding overpriced tours.