Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Boankra, Ghana
1. Tro-Tro Scams
Avoid overpriced or non-existent tro-tros by confirming routes and prices with multiple drivers before boarding.
- Price Verification: Confirm prices with multiple drivers to avoid overcharging.
- Route Confirmation: Ensure the tro-tro's route matches your destination before boarding.
- Trusted Sources: Seek recommendations from locals or reputable sources to avoid untrustworthy drivers.
2. Taxi Scams
Avoid overpriced taxis by using meter services and negotiating prices beforehand.
- Meter Usage: Insist on meter usage to avoid overcharging.
- Pre-negotiated Prices: Negotiate prices before starting the journey to avoid unexpected increases.
- Reputable Taxis: Choose taxis from reputable companies or recommended by locals to ensure reliability.
3. Market Scams
Avoid overpricing and counterfeit goods at markets by haggling prices and checking for authenticity.
- Haggle Prices: Negotiate prices to avoid overpaying.
- Authentic Goods: Check for authenticity by asking for a receipt or checking the quality of goods.
- Reputable Shops: Shop at reputable stores or recommended by locals to avoid counterfeit goods.
4. Currency Exchange Scams
Avoid unfair exchange rates and hidden fees by using registered exchange offices.
- Registered Offices: Exchange currency at registered offices to ensure legitimacy.
- Fair Rates: Compare exchange rates with multiple sources beforehand to avoid unfavorable deals.
- Hidden Fees: Ask about any fees upfront to avoid hidden charges.
5. ATM Scams
Protect your card and PIN by using ATMs in well-lit areas, avoiding machines with skimming devices, and monitoring transactions.
- Well-Lit Areas: Use ATMs in well-lit and busy locations to avoid potential threats.
- Skimming Devices: Inspect ATMs for any unusual attachments before using them to avoid skimming devices.
- Monitor Transactions: Regularly monitor your account transactions to detect any unauthorized activity.
6. Accommodation Scams
Avoid substandard or overpriced accommodations by researching and booking through reputable sources.
- Reputable Sources: Book accommodation through reputable websites or recommended by locals.
- Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests to ensure quality of the accommodation.
- Price Comparison: Compare prices with multiple sources before booking to avoid overpricing.
7. Food Scams
Avoid underweight or contaminated food by choosing hygienic restaurants and double-checking portions.
- Hygienic Restaurants: Choose restaurants that maintain good hygiene practices.
- Check Portions: Double-check portions before eating to avoid underweight food.
- Recommended Restaurants: Seek recommendations from locals or reputable sources to ensure quality of the food.
8. Sim Swapping Scams
Protect your phone number and personal information by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious about sharing sensitive data.
- Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
- Cautious Sharing: Be cautious about sharing sensitive information like your phone number or passwords.
9. Social Media Scams
Avoid giving away personal information on social media by setting privacy settings and being cautious about accepting friend requests.
- Privacy Settings: Adjust your privacy settings to limit the information shared publicly.
- Friend Requests: Be selective about accepting friend requests from unknown individuals.
- Password Protection: Protect your social media accounts with strong, unique passwords.
10. Tour Guide Scams
Avoid overpriced and unlicensed tour guides by booking through reputable agencies or recommendations from locals.
- Reputable Agencies: Book tours through licensed and reputable travel agencies.
- Local Recommendations: Seek recommendations from locals for reliable tour guides.
- Licensed Guides: Ensure your guide is licensed to operate in Boankra.
11. Fake Police Officers
Avoid scams involving fake police officers by asking for identification and reporting any suspicious activity to the real authorities.
- Identification Check: Always ask for identification from officers.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious activity to the real authorities if needed.
- Legitimate Officers: Recognize legitimate police officers by their uniforms and identification badges.
12. Fake Emergency Scams
Avoid scams involving fake emergencies by verifying the authenticity of any calls or messages claiming to be from authorities.
- Verification of Calls: Verify the authenticity of calls or messages claiming to be from authorities.
- Legitimate Authorities: Recognize legitimate authorities by their uniforms and identification badges.
- Cautious Sharing: Be cautious about sharing personal information or passwords in such situations.
13. Charity Scams
Avoid scam charities by researching organizations and ensuring they are registered and legitimate.
- Registration Check: Ensure the charity is registered and legitimate.
- Reputable Organizations: Choose reputable charities recommended by locals or known for their good work.
- Transparent Information: Look for transparent information about how donations are used.
14. Festival Scams
Avoid overpricing and counterfeit goods at festivals by haggling prices and checking for authenticity.
- Haggle Prices: Negotiate prices to avoid overpaying.
- Authentic Goods: Check for authenticity by asking for a receipt or checking the quality of goods.
- Reputable Shops: Shop at reputable stores or recommended by locals to avoid counterfeit goods.
15. Fake Friend Scams
Avoid giving away personal information to strangers by setting privacy settings and being cautious about sharing sensitive data.
- Privacy Settings: Adjust your privacy settings to limit the information shared publicly.
- Cautious Sharing: Be cautious about sharing sensitive information like your phone number or passwords.
- Legitimate Users: Recognize legitimate users by their interactions, profile completeness, and consistency.