Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Durham, North Carolina, United States

Durham, United States, Durham, Local Insights & Practical Info, Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Durham, North Carolina, United States

1. American Tobacco Campus

Historic campus with a variety of shops and restaurants. Learn to identify scams involving fake guides or overpriced goods.
  • Fake Guides: Be wary of unsolicited 'guides' offering tours. Always arrange tours through official channels.
  • Overpriced Goods: Bargain and compare prices with other nearby shops before purchasing goods to avoid overpaying.
  • Pickpocketing: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

2. Durham Farmers' Market

Local produce market with a rich variety of food items. Stay alert for market scams involving fake goods or overcharging.
  • Fake Goods: Inspect goods carefully before purchasing to ensure they are genuine and of good quality.
  • Overcharging: Know the going prices for popular items and negotiate if necessary. Avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your wallet and phone secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices in crowded areas.

3. Duke University Chapel

Iconic landmark with beautiful architecture. Be cautious of scams targeting tourists, such as overpriced souvenirs or fake guides.
  • Overpriced Souvenirs: Buy souvenirs from authorized vendors or reputable shops to avoid overpaying.
  • Fake Guides: Arrange guided tours through official channels to ensure an authentic experience.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

4. Brightleaf Square

Historic shopping district with unique boutiques and restaurants. Stay vigilant for scams like pickpocketing or overcharging.
  • Pickpocketing: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.
  • Overcharging: Know the going prices for popular items and negotiate if necessary. Avoid overpaying.
  • Counterfeit Goods: Buy from reputable shops or authorized vendors to ensure you're getting genuine products.

5. Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Beautiful botanical garden with over 50 acres of plants. Stay aware of scams involving fake guides or overpriced souvenirs.
  • Fake Guides: Arrange guided tours through official channels to ensure an authentic experience.
  • Overpriced Souvenirs: Buy souvenirs from authorized vendors or reputable shops to avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

6. Durham Performing Arts Center

Venue for Broadway shows and concerts. Stay alert for scams like ticket resellers offering fake tickets or overpriced seats.
  • Fake Tickets: Purchase tickets only from authorized vendors to ensure their authenticity.
  • Overpriced Tickets: Avoid buying tickets from unauthorized resellers. Stick to official ticket prices.
  • Ticket Scams: Arrive early for shows and verify your seat assignment at the box office before entering the venue.

7. Durham County Courthouse

Historic courthouse with self-guided tours. Be cautious of scams targeting tourists, such as pickpocketing or overcharging.
  • Pickpocketing: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.
  • Overcharging: Know the going prices for popular items and negotiate if necessary. Avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your wallet and phone secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices in crowded areas.

8. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

Museum featuring contemporary art and archaeological collections. Be aware of scams like fake guides or overpriced souvenirs.
  • Fake Guides: Arrange guided tours through official channels to ensure an authentic experience.
  • Overpriced Souvenirs: Buy souvenirs from authorized vendors or reputable shops to avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

9. Museum of Life + Science

Science museum with interactive exhibits for all ages. Stay alert for scams like pickpocketing or overcharging.
  • Pickpocketing: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.
  • Overcharging: Know the going prices for popular items and negotiate if necessary. Avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your wallet and phone secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices in crowded areas.

10. Mystery Brewing Company

Brewery offering unique craft beers. Watch out for scams like overpriced drinks or watered-down alcohol.
  • Overpriced Drinks: Compare prices with other nearby establishments before ordering to avoid overpaying.
  • Watered-Down Alcohol: Inspect your drinks for any signs of dilution or alteration. If in doubt, request a replacement.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices at the bar.

11. The Pinhook

Music venue featuring local and touring acts. Stay cautious of scams like overpriced drinks or ticket resellers.
  • Overpriced Drinks: Compare prices with other nearby establishments before ordering to avoid overpaying.
  • Ticket Scams: Purchase tickets only from authorized vendors or through the venue's official website.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices at the venue.

12. Fullsteam Brewery

Brewery offering Southern-inspired craft beers. Be wary of scams like overpriced drinks or watered-down alcohol.
  • Overpriced Drinks: Compare prices with other nearby establishments before ordering to avoid overpaying.
  • Watered-Down Alcohol: Inspect your drinks for any signs of dilution or alteration. If in doubt, request a replacement.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices at the bar.

13. Cocoa Cinnamon Bakery & Cafe

Coffee shop and bakery with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Watch out for scams like overpriced food or drink.
  • Overpriced Food: Compare prices with other nearby establishments before ordering to avoid overpaying.
  • Overpriced Drinks: Compare prices with other nearby establishments before ordering to avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your belongings secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices at the cafe.

14. Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Baseball stadium hosting minor league games. Stay vigilant for scams like ticket resellers or overpriced food.
  • Fake Tickets: Purchase tickets only from authorized vendors to ensure their authenticity.
  • Overpriced Food: Compare prices with other nearby establishments before ordering to avoid overpaying.
  • Ticket Scams: Arrive early for games and verify your seat assignment at the box office before entering the stadium.

15. Durham Central Park

Urban park with a variety of events and activities. Stay cautious of scams like pickpocketing or overpriced food.
  • Pickpocketing: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.
  • Overpriced Food: Compare prices with other nearby food vendors before purchasing to avoid overpaying.
  • Distraction Theft: Keep your wallet and phone secure, especially when handling cash or using mobile devices in crowded areas.