Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Salt Lake City, United States
1. Trolley Square Scam
Be wary of individuals offering 'cheap' jewelry or souvenirs in Trolley Square. They may overcharge or switch items.
- Overcharging: Vendors often quote a high price and expect bargaining, but never meet the 'bargained' price.
- Switching Items: Some vendors switch expensive items for cheap ones to trick tourists.
- Counterfeit Goods: Many goods offered are counterfeit or of poor quality.
2. Downtown Street Performers Scam
Street performers may ask for money for a performance and then ask for more for a photo with them. Always agree on a fee beforehand.
- Unexpected Fees: Performers may demand additional fees after the performance for photos or other requests.
- Poor Performance Quality: Some performances are subpar compared to what was promised, yet performers still ask for payment.
- Aggressive Solicitation: Performers can be aggressive in asking for money and may pressure tourists into giving more than expected.
3. Temple Square Fake Guides Scam
Avoid fake guides offering unofficial tours at Temple Square. Only use authorized tour guides for authentic experiences.
- Unauthorized Guides: Individuals posing as guides can charge excessive fees and provide inaccurate or biased information.
- Cultural Insensitivity: Fake guides may lack the knowledge and cultural sensitivity required for an enjoyable tour experience.
- Safety Concerns: Unauthorized guides may lead tourists to potentially dangerous areas or situations.
4. Utah Olympic Park Scam
Watch out for unofficial tour guides and fake ticket sellers at Utah Olympic Park. Always purchase tickets from authorized sources.
- Unofficial Guides: Individuals posing as guides can charge excessive fees, provide inaccurate information, and lead to unauthorized areas.
- Fake Ticket Sellers: Individuals selling counterfeit or invalid tickets may overcharge or sell tickets for unavailable times.
- Security Risks: Purchasing from unauthorized sources can put tourists at risk of being taken advantage of or entering unsafe situations.
5. Train Station Taxi Scam
Avoid taxi scams at Salt Lake City train station. Agree on a fare before getting into the taxi and ensure it's a licensed vehicle.
- Unlicensed Taxis: Unlicensed taxis may overcharge, refuse to use meters, or take longer routes.
- Fare Disagreements: Taxi drivers may quote a high price before the ride and then demand more upon arrival at the destination.
- Safety Concerns: Unlicensed taxis can put tourists at risk as they lack proper safety regulations and insurance.
6. Airport Transportation Scam
Be cautious of airport transportation scams offering expensive rides or sharing rides with others. Use authorized taxi services or book in advance.
- Overpricing: Some drivers charge exorbitant prices for airport transportation.
- Sharing Rides with Strangers: Shared rides can be unsafe and may take longer routes to increase costs.
- Unlicensed Drivers: Using unauthorized transportation services may put tourists at risk of being taken advantage of or entering unsafe situations.
7. Festival Scams
Stay vigilant for pickpocketing and overpriced goods at festivals. Keep valuables secure and compare prices before purchasing.
- Pickpocketing: Crowded festivals can be prime locations for pickpocketing.
- Overpriced Goods: Some vendors at festivals may overcharge for goods or sell counterfeit items.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Be wary of ticket scalpers selling fake or invalid tickets.
8. Food Truck Scams
Avoid food trucks that offer unusually cheap prices. Ensure the food is properly prepared and safe to eat.
- Unsafe Food Preparation: Food trucks that are not licensed or follow proper health guidelines may serve unsafe food.
- Expired or Poor Quality Ingredients: Cheap prices may indicate the use of expired or poor quality ingredients.
- Overcharging for Refunds: Some food trucks will overcharge and then demand a refund in exchange for an item, but not return the change.
9. Parking Meter Scams
Watch out for individuals offering to 'help' with parking meters. They may claim the meter is broken or ask for payment to move your car, then overcharge or damage your vehicle.
- Overcharging: Individuals offering 'help' with parking meters may charge excessive fees.
- Damage to Vehicle: Some individuals may damage your vehicle while 'helping' you park or move it.
- Theft from Vehicles: Leaving your vehicle unattended can make it a target for theft, especially in areas frequented by scammers.
10. Hotel Scams
Be wary of hotel representatives who offer discounts or deals that seem too good to be true. Always verify the authenticity of offers with a reputable source.
- Fake Discounts: Hotel representatives may offer fake discounts or hidden fees in the fine print.
- Unsafe Accommodations: Subpar hotels may lack basic safety measures, such as fire escapes and security systems.
- Data Theft: Hotels may collect personal information for fraudulent purposes or sell it to third parties.
11. ATM Scams
Avoid using ATMs that appear tampered with. Cover the keypad while entering your PIN and never share your card or PIN.
- Skimming Devices: ATMs with skimming devices can steal your card information.
- Camera Surveillance: Cameras installed above ATM keypads can record your PIN for fraudulent use.
- Card Trapping Devices: ATMs with card trapping devices may keep your card and ask you to enter your PIN again, allowing scammers to steal it.
12. Lost Tourist Scams
Be wary of individuals offering help to lost tourists. They may lead you to an unsafe area or overcharge for directions.
- Fraudulent Help: Individuals posing as helpful locals may provide false information to lead tourists to scams or dangerous areas.
- Overcharging for Services: Some individuals may charge excessively for directions, transportation, or other services.
- Theft from Tourists: Lost tourists can be easily targeted by thieves who take advantage of their vulnerability.
13. Public Wi-Fi Scams
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions as they can be easily hacked. Use a VPN or wait to access your accounts when connected to secure internet.
- Data Theft: Public Wi-Fi networks are often vulnerable to data theft and eavesdropping.
- Malware Infection: Using public Wi-Fi can expose your device to malware that steals personal information or installs viruses.
- Phishing Attempts: Public Wi-Fi networks may be used for phishing attempts, where scammers try to obtain sensitive information.
14. Car Rental Scams
Thoroughly inspect rental cars before driving and document any damages. Be wary of hidden fees and excessive charges.
- Undisclosed Damages: Rental companies may try to charge for undisclosed damages upon return.
- Excessive Charges: Some rental companies may overcharge for fuel, tolls, or other expenses.
- Unsafe Vehicles: Renting a car with known issues can be dangerous and may result in additional charges.
15. Fractional Ticket Scams
When purchasing tickets for events, be wary of fractional ticket scams. Always purchase from authorized sources and verify the ticket's authenticity.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Fractional tickets may be counterfeit or invalid, leading to denied entry.
- Overpricing: Sellers of fractional tickets may overcharge for what is essentially a part of a ticket.
- Unscrupulous Sellers: Fractional ticket sellers may be untrustworthy, leading to additional scams or complications.