Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Angeles City, Angeles, Philippines
1. Field of Roses Bar Scam
A scam where unsuspecting visitors are tricked into drinking overpriced drinks and being pressured to pay exorbitant bills. Always check prices before consuming.
- Price Check: Avoid surprises by checking drink prices before consumption.
- Budget Awareness: Stick to a budget to avoid overspending due to the scam's tactics.
- Group Consumption: Consider consuming drinks with friends or in groups for accountability.
2. Casino Scam
Scammers offer help with casino games, resulting in huge losses. Stick to games you understand and avoid suspicious offers.
- Gaming Knowledge: Understand the rules of games before playing.
- Avoiding Offers: Decline offers from strangers, especially during gameplay.
- Setting Limits: Set a gambling budget and stick to it to avoid excessive losses.
3. Overpriced Taxi Scam
Taxis often overcharge unsuspecting tourists. Use trusted transportation services or agree on fares before starting the ride.
- Pre-agreed Fare: Always agree on a fare before starting your journey.
- Trusted Transportation Services: Opt for reliable transportation services like Grab or Angkas to avoid overcharging.
- Avoiding Unlicensed Taxis: Avoid unmarked taxis and those without a proper license.
4. Friendship Scam
Scammers build friendships with tourists to gain trust for future scams. Be cautious of overly friendly locals.
- Suspicion and Wariness: Maintain a healthy level of suspicion towards strangers.
- Limited Personal Sharing: Avoid sharing too much personal information with strangers.
- Trusted Connections: Connect with locals through trustworthy channels like tour groups or hotels.
5. Counterfeit Goods Scam
Scammers sell counterfeit goods in markets. Buy from reputable stores or verify authenticity before purchasing.
- Verification of Authenticity: Look for authenticity seals or holograms on products.
- Buying from Reputable Stores: Purchase items from well-established and reputable stores.
- Price Verification: Compare prices with other stores to avoid overpriced counterfeits.
6. Dating Scam
Scammers create fake online profiles to extort money. Be wary of online relationships and never send money to strangers.
- Verifying Identity: Verify the identity of your online partner through video calls.
- No Money Transfers: Never send money to people you meet online, especially early in a relationship.
- Meeting in Public: Always meet new online friends in public places for safety reasons.
7. ATM Skimming Scam
Scammers attach skimming devices to ATMs to steal card data. Use well-lit, busy ATMs and avoid using machines that look tampered with.
- Well-Lit ATMs: Choose ATMs in well-lit areas for better visibility.
- Avoiding Tampered Machines: Inspect the ATM for any signs of tampering before use.
- Monitor Account Activity: Regularly monitor your account activity for any unauthorized transactions.
8. Street Food Scam
Scammers sell overpriced or contaminated street food. Stick to established street food vendors and avoid unusual offerings.
- Established Vendors: Choose well-known street food vendors with a good reputation.
- Avoiding Unusual Offerings: Be wary of unfamiliar or unusual food items and vendors.
- Hygiene and Cleanliness: Check the cleanliness of the food vendor's setup before purchasing.
9. Fake Accident Scam
Scammers create fake accidents to extort money. Be cautious when driving or walking and avoid stopping for suspicious situations.
- Driving Caution: Avoid unnecessary stops on the road, especially in poorly-lit areas.
- Wary of Suspicious Situations: Be wary of situations that seem suspicious or too good to be true.
- Contact Local Authorities: In case of an accident or emergency, contact local authorities immediately.
10. Overpriced Accommodation Scam
Scammers rent out overpriced or subpar accommodations. Book through trusted platforms or verify prices before agreeing.
- Booking Platform Verification: Always book accommodations through reputable online platforms.
- Price Verification: Verify accommodation prices with other platforms or reliable sources.
- Location Inspection: Visit the accommodation before committing to ensure it meets your standards.
11. Fish Spa Scam
Scammers charge inflated prices for fish spa treatments. Research the cost and reputability of the facility before visiting.
- Cost Verification: Check the price of fish spa treatments with other facilities to avoid overpaying.
- Reputable Facilities: Choose reputable and well-reviewed fish spa facilities.
- Hygiene Assessment: Inspect the cleanliness of the facility before participating in treatments.
12. Car Hire Scam
Scammers overcharge for car rentals or provide vehicles with hidden damages. Use reliable rental services and inspect the vehicle thoroughly.
- Reliable Rental Services: Choose well-established and reputable car rental companies.
- Thorough Inspection: Inspect the vehicle for any hidden damages before driving away.
- Price Verification: Compare rental prices with other companies to ensure fairness.
13. Sim Card Scam
Scammers sell overpriced or malfunctioning SIM cards. Buy from authorized dealers or reputable shops.
- Authorized Dealers: Purchase sim cards from authorized dealers.
- Reputable Shops: Choose reputable and well-reviewed phone shops for sim card purchases.
- Price Verification: Compare sim card prices with other authorized dealers to avoid overpaying.
14. Massage Parlor Scam
Scammers charge exorbitant prices for massage services. Research the cost and reputation of the parlor before visiting.
- Cost Verification: Check the price of massage services with other parlors to avoid overpaying.
- Reputable Parlors: Choose reputable and well-reviewed massage parlors.
- Hygiene Assessment: Inspect the cleanliness of the parlor before participating in services.
15. Touts Scam
Scammers act as unofficial guides or recommend expensive shops. Decline unsolicited offers and use reliable tourism resources.
- Reliable Tourist Resources: Use official tourist information centers for guidance.
- Declining Unsolicited Offers: Politely decline unsolicited offers from touts or unofficial guides.
- Avoiding Expensive Shops: Research shops and their prices before visiting to avoid overpaying.