Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Aţ Ţā’if, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

1. Grand Mosque of Madinah Scam Awareness

Stay alert to offers for special prayers or blessings within the mosque. Beware of individuals asking for money in the name of charity.

Religious Scams: Identify scams pretending to be religious, such as false blessings or prayers.
Charity Collection: Recognize unauthorized charity collectors soliciting within the mosque premises.

Avoid high-pressure sales tactics at Souq Al Alban. Be cautious when exchanging currency or using ATMs near the market.

High-Pressure Sales: Identify aggressive sales approaches in the traditional market.
Currency Exchange: Avoid unofficial currency exchangers near the souq.
ATM Usage: Use ATMs inside banks or reputable locations when withdrawing cash.

Avoid strangers offering assistance with shopping or navigation in Al-Rashid Malls. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi and charging devices.

Assistance Offers: Identify offers of help from strangers while shopping or navigating the mall.
Public Wi-Fi Security: Secure your personal information when using public Wi-Fi connections in the mall.
Device Charging Stations: Avoid leaving your device unattended while charging at charging stations.

Negotiate taxi fares before starting the journey. Be wary of shared taxis asking for extra fees during peak hours.

Fare Negotiation: Always agree on the fare before commencing a taxi ride.
Shared Taxis: Recognize shared taxis that ask for additional fees during peak hours.

Avoid eating street food from unlicensed vendors. Be alert to overpriced items or fake dishes.

Verify tour guides' credentials before accepting their services. Be cautious of unsolicited recommendations from strangers.

Credentials Verification: Check the credentials and licenses of tour guides before hiring.
Unsolicited Recommendations: Avoid accepting tour guide recommendations from strangers.

Buy prepaid SIM cards only at authorized retailers. Avoid any requests for personal information during the purchase process.

Authorized Retailers: Purchase prepaid SIM cards from official retailers only.
Personal Information Sharing: Do not share your personal information during the purchase of a prepaid SIM card.

Inspect rental cars thoroughly before leaving the lot. Be cautious when exchanging money or signing documents.

Vehicle Inspection: Thoroughly inspect rental vehicles before leaving the car rental facility.
Currency Exchange: Exchange currency at reputable locations or banks, not with rental agents.
Document Review: Carefully review all documentation before signing any contracts.

Research hotels and booking websites thoroughly. Be cautious of unsolicited offers or requests for personal information.

Reputable Booking Websites: Book hotels through well-known and reputable online travel agencies.
Unsolicited Offers: Avoid accepting unsolicited hotel offers from strangers or unknown sources.
Personal Information Sharing: Do not share your personal information with hotel staff without proper verification.

Avoid accessing sensitive data on public Wi-Fi networks. Use a VPN for secure internet connections.

Sensitive Data Access: Do not access sensitive information on public Wi-Fi networks.
VPN Usage: Use a VPN for secure and private internet connections while traveling.

Use ATMs located inside banks or well-lit areas. Be cautious when entering your PIN and inserting your card.

ATM Location: Use ATMs that are inside banks or well-lit areas for safety.
PIN Protection: Cover your PIN while entering it at the ATM to prevent shoulder surfing.
Card Insertion: Insert your card carefully into the ATM slot to avoid skimming devices.

Ask for identification from anyone claiming to be a police officer. If in doubt, contact the local embassy or consulate.

ID Verification: Ask for identification from anyone claiming to be a police officer.
Embassy Contact: Contact your local embassy or consulate if you are unsure about the legitimacy of a police officer.

Stay alert while driving and do not stop for accidents or individuals claiming to be stranded on the road.

Awareness While Driving: Maintain a high level of awareness while driving to avoid fake accident scams.
Stranded Individuals: Do not stop for individuals claiming to be stranded on the road.

Verify charities' legitimacy before donating money. Research reputable organizations for donations.

Charity Legitimacy Verification: Thoroughly research the legitimacy of a charity before making any donations.
Reputable Charities: Donate to well-known and reputable charitable organizations.

Buy medications only from licensed pharmacies. Be cautious when purchasing over-the-counter remedies.

Licensed Pharmacies: Purchase medications only from licensed and reputable pharmacies.
Over-the-Counter Remedies: Be cautious when purchasing over-the-counter remedies to avoid fake or low-quality drugs.