Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Kisumu, Kisumu, Kenya
1. Taxi Scams
Avoid overpriced taxi rides or being taken to less desirable destinations. Always agree on a price before starting your journey.
- Price Negotiation: Establishing a fare before the ride starts helps prevent unexpected charges.
- Recognizing Unlicensed Drivers: Avoid taxis without official number plates and company logos to reduce risk.
- Sharing Rides: Sharing rides with others can help lower costs and minimize the chance of deception.
2. Currency Exchange Scams
Be cautious when exchanging money, especially in unofficial exchange spots. Stick to banks or reputable exchange bureaus for the best rates.
- Official Exchange Centers: Banks and licensed exchange bureaus provide secure and reliable currency exchanges.
- Avoiding Street Vendors: Exchanging money with street vendors may result in receiving less currency than expected.
- Checking Exchange Rates: Know the current exchange rate beforehand to avoid being overcharged.
3. Fake Tour Guides
Only use licensed tour guides to ensure a safe and educational experience. Ask for credentials or contact the local tourist board for recommendations.
- Credentials Check: Asking guides for identification documents verifies their legitimacy.
- Local Tourist Board Recommendations: Receiving recommendations from the local tourist board helps guarantee a reputable guide.
- Avoiding Unsolicited Guides: Declining offers from unknown guides can help prevent being scammed.
4. Fraudulent Accommodation Bookings
Double-check accommodations before booking to ensure they exist and are of good quality. Use reputable online travel agencies or contact the accommodation directly.
- Reputable Online Travel Agencies: Booking through well-known platforms helps secure a trustworthy accommodation.
- Direct Contact with Accommodation: Contacting accommodations directly verifies their existence and service quality.
- On-site Visit: Visiting the accommodation before booking provides peace of mind about its quality.
5. Begging and Street Scams
Be aware of potential scams disguised as begging or requests for help. Trust your instincts and avoid handing out cash to strangers in public areas.
- Public Safety: Staying safe in public areas helps minimize the risk of encountering scams.
- Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels suspicious, trust your gut and walk away.
- Alternative Acts of Kindness: Providing food or other assistance instead of cash can help those in need without risking being scammed.
6. Counterfeit Goods
Purchase goods only from reputable shops or markets to avoid buying counterfeit items. Be cautious when shopping in areas known for selling questionable merchandise.
- Reputable Shops: Buying from established, trustworthy stores helps ensure the authenticity of goods.
- Market Reputation: Researching markets before shopping can help identify those selling counterfeit items.
- Check for Quality and Labels: Inspecting goods for quality and checking for labels helps verify their authenticity.
7. Overpriced Souvenirs
Avoid overpaying for souvenirs by comparing prices in various shops and negotiating when possible.
- Price Comparison: Comparing prices among different stores helps identify fair offers.
- Negotiation Skills: Haggling can help lower the price of souvenirs and reduce the chances of being overcharged.
- Knowing Local Prices: Understanding the local market helps visitors avoid paying tourist prices for souvenirs.
8. Scams at ATMs
Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, busy areas to minimize the risk of tampering or theft. Be cautious when using ATMs and cover your PIN entry.
- ATM Location: Using ATMs in banks or well-lit, populated areas decreases the likelihood of fraud.
- Covering PIN Entry: Protecting your PIN from prying eyes can help prevent identity theft.
- Monitor Account Transactions: Regularly checking account transactions helps identify any suspicious activity.
9. Overpriced Food and Drinks
Avoid overpaying for food and drinks by comparing prices at various establishments or choosing street food from popular spots.
- Price Comparison: Comparing prices helps visitors identify reasonable costs.
- Popular Street Food Spots: Finding busy, well-regarded street food areas can lead to tasty and affordable meals.
- Asking Locals for Recommendations: Locals often know the best places to eat affordably and enjoy local cuisine.
10. Ferry Scams
Check ferry schedules in advance to avoid being overcharged or stranded. Only use official ferries and negotiate fares before boarding.
- Advance Research: Knowing ferry schedules helps travelers avoid inconvenience or overcharges.
- Official Ferry Services: Using authorized ferries ensures safety and fair pricing.
- Fare Negotiation: Negotiating fares before boarding helps prevent being overcharged.
11. Fake Charities
Give to reputable charities and carefully research organizations before donating. Avoid giving to strangers soliciting donations in public areas.
- Reputable Charities: Supporting well-known, trustworthy charities helps ensure funds are used effectively.
- Research Organizations: Investigating charities helps travelers find organizations with positive impact and strong financial management.
- Avoiding Street Solicitation: Declining offers from unknown solicitations in public areas can help prevent scams.
12. Internet Café Scams
Use reputable internet cafes or secure your own device to protect personal information from theft or hacking.
- Reputable Internet Cafés: Choosing reliable internet cafes helps safeguard private data.
- Secure Devices: Using a secure device ensures the protection of sensitive information.
- Antivirus Software: Installing antivirus software can help prevent unauthorized access to your device.
13. Telephone Scams
Avoid providing personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are certain of the caller's identity.
- Initiating Calls: Making calls helps control who has access to your personal information.
- Verifying Identity: Confirming the caller's identity before sharing sensitive data can help prevent scams.
- Reporting Suspicious Calls: Documenting and reporting suspicious calls helps authorities crack down on phone scams.
14. Friendship Scams
Be cautious when meeting strangers who ask for money or personal information. Trust your instincts and never share sensitive data.
- Trusting Your Instincts: If a situation feels suspicious, trust your gut and walk away.
- Limiting Personal Information Sharing: Sharing minimal personal information helps protect against identity theft.
- Reporting Suspicious Individuals: Alerting authorities or travel advisories about potentially dangerous individuals can help others avoid scams.
15. Gold and Gemstone Scams
Purchase gold and gemstones only from reputable jewelers or appraisers to avoid buying fake or overpriced items.
- Reputable Jewelers: Buying from established, trustworthy jewelers helps ensure the authenticity of gold and gemstones.
- Appraisal Services: Having items appraised verifies their value and authenticity.
- Knowing Market Prices: Understanding the local market helps visitors avoid paying tourist prices for gold and gemstones.