Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Long Beach, California, United States
1. Long Beach Taxi Scams
Avoid overpriced taxi rides or getting scammed with unofficial taxis. Always use authorized cabs and confirm the fare before starting your journey.
- Official Taxis: Only use licensed taxis with visible identification
- Fare Estimation: Get an estimated fare from the driver before your ride
- Avoid Peak Hours: Plan travel outside of peak hours to avoid price surges
2. Seafood Market Counterfeit Goods
Avoid buying counterfeit seafood at local markets. Look for fresh and high-quality products, and beware of unusually low prices.
- Freshness: Inspect the fish for freshness before purchasing
- Price: Be wary of extremely low prices as they might indicate counterfeit goods
- Reputation: Choose established markets with good reputations for quality seafood
3. Hotel Booking Scams
Avoid booking your hotel through unofficial channels that might offer fake rooms or inflated prices. Book directly with hotels or trusted travel websites.
- Direct Bookings: Book your accommodation on the hotel's official website or through reputable booking platforms
- Inspection: Visit the hotel before finalizing your booking to ensure its legitimacy
- Read Reviews: Check online reviews and ratings of hotels before booking
4. Beachfront Property Scams
Avoid rental scams for beachfront properties that don't exist or are not as advertised. Rent from reputable agencies and verify the property beforehand.
- Verification: Verify the property address and pictures with the agency
- Agency Reputation: Choose rental agencies with good reputations for honesty and reliability
- Inspection: Visit the property before finalizing your rental agreement
5. Attraction Ticket Scams
Avoid fake tickets or overpriced attractions. Buy tickets from official outlets and compare prices with reliable sources.
- Official Outlets: Purchase tickets directly from the attraction's website or authorized ticket vendors
- Price Comparison: Compare prices with other reliable sources to avoid overpaying
- Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing tickets from street vendors or unauthorized sellers
6. Flea Market Counterfeit Goods
Avoid buying counterfeit goods at flea markets. Look for high-quality items and beware of unusually low prices.
- Quality: Inspect the item for quality before purchasing
- Price: Be wary of extremely low prices as they might indicate counterfeit goods
- Reputation: Choose established flea markets with good reputations for quality goods
7. Restaurant Bait-and-Switch
Avoid restaurants that bait and switch with lower-quality food than advertised. Read reviews and check menus before dining.
- Reviews: Check online reviews and ratings of restaurants
- Menu Verification: Verify the menu items and prices on the restaurant's website or menu provided
- Avoid Peak Hours: Plan dining outside of peak hours to avoid quality issues due to high demand
8. Rental Car Scams
Avoid rental scams such as hidden fees or damaged cars. Rent from reputable agencies and inspect the vehicle before driving.
- Reputation: Choose rental agencies with good reputations for honesty and reliability
- Inspection: Inspect the vehicle before finalizing your rental agreement
- Transparent Contract: Ensure that all fees and charges are clearly stated in the contract
9. Parking Meter Scams
Avoid parking meter scams such as fake meters or incorrect pricing. Familiarize yourself with parking rules and regulations.
- Regulations: Understand the parking rules and regulations in Long Beach
- Official Meters: Use only official parking meters with visible identification
- Time Limits: Respect time limits and move your vehicle when necessary
10. ATM Skimming Scams
Avoid ATM skimming scams by using well-lit, busy, and secure machines. Cover the keypad while entering your PIN.
- Location: Choose ATMs located in well-lit, busy, and secure areas
- Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it
- Monitor Transactions: Check your account balance and transactions regularly for any suspicious activity
11. Ferry Ticket Scams
Avoid fake ferry tickets or overpriced ferries. Buy tickets from official outlets and compare prices with reliable sources.
- Official Outlets: Purchase tickets directly from the ferry's website or authorized ticket vendors
- Price Comparison: Compare prices with other reliable sources to avoid overpaying
- Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing tickets from street vendors or unauthorized sellers
12. Unlicensed Tour Guide Scams
Avoid tour guide scams by using licensed guides and researching the itinerary beforehand.
- Licensing: Confirm that your tour guide is licensed and authorized
- Itinerary Research: Research the itinerary to ensure it covers all points of interest
- Read Reviews: Check online reviews and ratings of tour companies before booking
13. Public Wi-Fi Scams
Avoid public Wi-Fi scams by not accessing sensitive information or using unsecured networks.
- Secure Connections: Only connect to secure, password-protected networks
- Avoid Sensitive Data: Avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi networks
- Install a VPN: Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for additional security
14. Street Performer Scams
Avoid donating to street performers who use distraction techniques to steal your belongings. Keep a close eye on your possessions.
- Keep Possessions Close: Keep a close eye on your belongings and avoid leaving them unattended
- Avoid Distractions: Be cautious of distraction techniques used by street performers or scammers
- Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious activity to local authorities
15. Barter Scams
Avoid barter scams by knowing the fair market value of items and being wary of unusually generous offers.
- Fair Market Value: Research the fair market value of items before engaging in a barter
- Avoid Generous Offers: Be wary of unusually generous offers as they might be attempts to scam you
- Negotiate Fairly: Negotiate fairly and avoid getting pressured into accepting an unfair trade