Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Mandaluyong City, Mandaluyong, Philippines
1. Jeepney Overcharging
Avoid overpriced rides by negotiating fare before boarding a jeepney or using official transportation services.
- Bargaining Skills: Having the ability to negotiate fares can help save money.
- Official Transportation: Using registered and authorized transportation services guarantees safety and fair pricing.
- Knowledge of Standard Fares: Being aware of the standard fares for jeepney rides can help prevent overcharging.
2. Fake Tour Guides
Avoid unauthorized tour guides by booking tours through reputable agencies or verified tourism offices.
- Reputable Agencies: Booking tours through established travel agencies ensures a licensed guide.
- Verified Tourism Offices: Visiting government-verified tourism offices for assistance guarantees a legitimate guide.
- Research and Reviews: Doing research on guides and reading reviews from previous clients can help ensure a quality experience.
3. Counterfeit Goods
Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods by shopping at authorized retailers or verifying authenticity.
- Authorized Retailers: Shopping at authorized retailers guarantees the purchase of genuine items.
- Verification Methods: Knowing how to verify authenticity, such as holograms or serial numbers, can help prevent counterfeit purchases.
- Brand Reputation: Researching brands with a good reputation for quality and authenticity ensures a genuine purchase.
4. Pickpocketing in Crowded Places
Avoid pickpockets by keeping valuables secure, being aware of surroundings, and using anti-theft bags.
- Secure Storage: Storing valuable items in a secure location, such as a zipped pocket or lockbox, can help prevent theft.
- Awareness: Being alert to suspicious activity and maintaining awareness of surroundings can help prevent pickpocketing.
- Anti-Theft Accessories: Using anti-theft bags or accessories can provide an extra layer of protection against theft.
5. ATM Skimming Scams
Avoid ATM skimming by using well-lit and monitored machines, covering the keypad, and monitoring account activity.
- Well-Lit and Monitored Machines: Using machines in well-lit areas and those under surveillance can help prevent skimming.
- Cover the Keypad: Covering the keypad while entering your PIN helps prevent shoulder surfing or camera-based attacks.
- Monitor Account Activity: Regularly monitoring account activity for unauthorized transactions can help detect and prevent skimming scams.
6. Internet Café Scams
Avoid internet café scams by using a VPN, not sharing personal information, and keeping an eye on your computer.
- Use a VPN: Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help protect your online activity from being monitored.
- Secure Information Sharing: Avoid sharing personal or financial information when using public computers or unsecured networks.
- Monitor your Computer: Keeping an eye on your computer while using it can help prevent suspicious activity and scams.
7. Overpriced or Fake Accommodations
Avoid overpriced or fake accommodations by booking through reputable sites or verifying the property.
- Reputable Booking Sites: Booking through established travel websites ensures a legitimate accommodation.
- Property Verification: Verifying the property's existence, licenses, and reviews can help prevent fraudulent bookings.
- Location Inspection: Inspecting the location before booking can help ensure that it is legitimate and as described.
8. Taxi Overcharging or Fake Taxis
Avoid overcharging or fake taxis by using official transportation services, negotiating fares beforehand, or using ride-hailing apps.
- Official Transportation Services: Using registered and authorized taxi services guarantees safety and fair pricing.
- Negotiating Fares: Negotiating fares beforehand can help prevent overcharging.
- Ride-Hailing Apps: Using ride-hailing apps ensures a legitimate taxi and transparent pricing.
9. Street Food Contamination
Avoid street food contamination by choosing clean, busy stalls with fresh ingredients, cooking methods, and proper food handling.
- Cleanliness: Choosing a clean and well-maintained stall can help prevent contamination.
- Busy Stalls: A busy stall with frequent turnover of food can indicate freshness and reduce the risk of contamination.
- Proper Food Handling: Observing the cook using clean utensils, gloves, and proper handwashing techniques can help ensure a safe meal.
10. Baggage Theft at Train Stations
Avoid baggage theft at train stations by keeping an eye on your luggage, securing it with locks, and using lockers when available.
- Keep an Eye on Luggage: Keeping an eye on your luggage can help prevent theft.
- Secure Luggage with Locks: Using locks to secure your luggage can help deter potential thieves.
- Use Lockers when Available: Using lockers, if available, provides additional security for your belongings during travel.
11. Mobile Phone Scams
Avoid mobile phone scams by using a prepaid SIM card, monitoring data usage, and avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive information.
- Prepaid SIM Card: Using a prepaid SIM card can help prevent unauthorized charges or account takeover.
- Monitor Data Usage: Regularly monitoring data usage can help detect and prevent unusual activity on your phone.
- Secure Connection for Sensitive Information: Using a secure connection, such as a VPN, for sensitive information helps protect it from interception.
12. Fraudulent Money Changers
Avoid fraudulent money changers by using established and reputable services, exchanging larger amounts at once, and verifying the exchange rate.
- Established Services: Using reputable and well-established money changers can help prevent fraud.
- Exchange Larger Amounts at Once: Exchanging a larger amount at once may result in better exchange rates and fewer fees.
- Verify Exchange Rate: Verifying the current exchange rate can help prevent overcharging or receiving counterfeit currency.
13. Fake Charity Scams
Avoid fake charity scams by researching charities, donating directly to organizations, and being cautious of solicitors asking for donations in the street.
- Research Charities: Researching charities to ensure they are legitimate can help prevent fraudulent donations.
- Donate Directly to Organizations: Donating directly through the charity's official website or contact information helps ensure your donation goes to a legitimate cause.
- Be Cautious of Street Solicitors: Being cautious and skeptical of solicitors asking for donations in the street can help prevent scams.
14. Car Rental Scams
Avoid car rental scams by booking through reputable agencies, inspecting the vehicle before and after rental, and using a credit card for payment.
- Reputable Agencies: Booking through established car rental agencies guarantees the use of a legitimate vehicle.
- Inspect Vehicle Before and After Rental: Thoroughly inspecting the vehicle before and after rental can help prevent hidden damages or charges.
- Use a Credit Card for Payment: Using a credit card for payment offers dispute resolution options in case of issues or scams.
15. Dating Scams
Avoid dating scams by verifying the user's identity, meeting in public places, and being cautious about sharing personal information.
- Verify User Identity: Verifying a person's identity through social media or other means can help prevent catfishing or scams.
- Meet in Public Places: Meeting new acquaintances in public places helps ensure safety and reduces the risk of encounters with scammers.
- Cautious about Sharing Personal Information: Being cautious about sharing personal or financial information can help prevent identity theft or other forms of fraud.