Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
1. South Bank Scam Alert
Be wary of fake tour guides offering services around the cultural precinct. Stick to authorized tour operators.
- Unauthorized Tour Guides: Avoid unlicensed individuals claiming to be tour guides.
- South Bank Cultural Precinct: High tourist traffic area where scams may occur.
- Official Tour Operators: Look for recognized and licensed tour operators to ensure safety and reliability.
2. Stradbroke Island Taxi Scam
Avoid taxis offering inflated prices or claiming a higher fare after the journey. Pre-book registered taxis for your convenience.
- Inflated Fares: Be aware of taxi drivers charging excessively high fares.
- Pre-booking: Book your transportation in advance to avoid overpricing.
- Registered Taxis: Ensure the taxi is registered and operates legally to maintain safety standards.
3. Brisbane Airport Scam
Avoid unsolicited help offering assistance with luggage or directions around the airport. Stick to airport staff for guidance.
- Unsolicited Assistance: Avoid accepting help from unauthorized individuals at the airport.
- Airport Staff: Seek help from official airport staff for proper guidance.
- Brisbane Airport: High tourist traffic area where scams may occur.
4. Street Performers Scam
Be cautious when approached by street performers offering flowers or other gifts. They may expect money in return.
- Flowers or Gifts: Street performers may offer gifts as a scam to obtain money.
- Street Performers: Street performers can sometimes engage in dishonest practices.
- Avoiding the Scam: Recognize and avoid street scams to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
5. Ferry Scam
Watch for ticket inspectors posing as passengers on city ferries. Always validate your ticket before boarding.
- Fake Ticket Inspectors: Be cautious of individuals pretending to be ticket inspectors.
- Validating Your Ticket: Ensure your ticket is validated before boarding the ferry.
- City Ferry Service: Stay vigilant when using public transportation services.
6. Taxi Scam (Bus Stops)
Be wary of taxis offering rides near bus stops. They may charge inflated prices or take longer routes.
- Inflated Fares: Avoid taxi drivers charging excessively high fares.
- Bus Stops: High tourist traffic area where scams may occur.
- Registered Taxis: Ensure the taxi is registered and operates legally to maintain safety standards.
7. Parking Scam
Avoid parking lots with unattended machines or ones that require cash only. Use legitimate and attended parking facilities.
- Unattended Machines: Parking lots without attendants may pose a risk.
- Cash Only Parking Lots: Cash-only parking lots can be a target for scams and thefts.
- Legitimate Parking Facilities: Use attended and legitimate parking facilities to ensure safety.
8. EFTPOS (ATM) Scam
Be careful when using EFTPOS machines in unattended or poorly lit areas. Use machines located inside banks for safety.
- Unattended Machines: EFTPOS machines in unsupervised locations can be rigged with skimming devices.
- Poorly Lit Areas: Avoid using EFTPOS machines in poorly lit or secluded areas to prevent thefts and scams.
- Inside Banks: Use EFTPOS machines located inside banks for maximum safety and security.
9. Accommodation Scam
Be wary of accommodations offering unrealistic discounts or high-pressure sales tactics. Book through reputable channels.
- Unrealistic Discounts: Accommodations offering unusually low prices may be a scam.
- High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Avoid accommodations using aggressive sales tactics to secure your business.
- Reputable Channels: Book through established and reputable accommodation booking channels.
10. Food Stall Scam
Avoid food stalls that offer free samples or seem to give more than the usual serving. Be cautious of hidden costs and charges.
- Free Samples: Food stalls offering free samples may have hidden costs or charges.
- Excessive Servings: Large servings may be a way to overcharge unsuspecting customers.
- Hidden Costs: Be aware of hidden charges or costs that aren't immediately apparent.
11. Social Media Scam
Be cautious when accepting friend requests from strangers on social media, especially during your visit to Brisbane. Don't share personal details or sensitive information.
- Stranger Friend Requests: Avoid accepting friend requests from unknown individuals.
- Personal Details: Keep your personal details and sensitive information secure during your trip.
- Social Media Security: Maintain a high level of security on your social media accounts to prevent scams and identity theft.
12. Street Art Scam
Beware of individuals offering street art as a souvenir for a price. These may be counterfeit or stolen items.
- Counterfeit Street Art: Avoid purchasing potential fakes or replicas of popular street art.
- Stolen Items: Be cautious when buying items from unauthorized vendors to prevent theft and support local artists.
- Support Local Artists: Purchase art from authorized dealers and galleries to support the local art community.
13. Public Wi-Fi Scam
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions such as online banking or shopping. Use a VPN to secure your connection.
- Sensitive Transactions: Avoid conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Using a VPN: Secure your connection using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your data.
- Public Wi-Fi Security: Be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to prevent data theft and scams.
14. Tourist Attraction Scam
Avoid ticket sellers approaching you outside popular tourist attractions. Buy tickets directly from authorized sales points.
- Unauthorized Sellers: Avoid buying tickets from unlicensed or unauthorized vendors.
- Popular Tourist Attractions: Scams may occur near popular tourist attractions.
- Authorized Sales Points: Purchase tickets from official sales points to ensure authenticity and prevent scams.
15. Busking Scam
Be cautious when donating to buskers, as some may overstate their need or use aggressive tactics. Only give to those who genuinely deserve support.
- Overstated Need: Avoid giving to buskers who exaggerate their circumstances.
- Aggressive Tactics: Be wary of aggressive or persistent buskers seeking donations.
- Genuine Support: Support only those who genuinely deserve assistance and need it.