Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Cebu City, Philippines

All Topics about Cebu City All Cities in Philippines

1. Jeepney Scam

A common scam where drivers overcharge tourists. Avoid by researching standard fares or agreeing on price before boarding.

Knowledge of Standard Fares: Understanding the local transportation costs helps avoid overcharging.
Agreement on Price Before Ride: Setting a price before starting your journey prevents any confusion or unexpected charges later.
Travel during Daylight: Riding jeepneys during daytime minimizes the chances of being overcharged, as scams are more common at night.

Taxis often use faulty meters or refuse to turn them on. Always insist on meter use or negotiate a fare beforehand.

Use of Meter: Ensuring the taxi uses its meter helps maintain fair pricing.
Negotiation Before Ride: Discussing the fare before starting your journey prevents any disagreements later.
Recognize Registered Taxis: Look for licensed taxis to minimize the risk of encountering dishonest drivers.

Touts at the airport offering transportation services often overcharge or lead to unsafe vehicles. Use pre-booked and licensed services.

Pre-Booking: Arranging transport in advance helps ensure a reliable service.
Licensed Services: Choosing licensed and reputable transportation providers minimizes the risk of scams.
Stay Aware at Airport: Be cautious of offers from strangers and always ask for identification or proof of licensing.

Vendors may sell faulty SIM cards or overcharge tourists. Buy from authorized dealers or reputable shops.

Authorized Dealers: Buying from authorized vendors ensures a functional and reliable service.
Reputable Shops: Choosing established and trustworthy stores helps minimize the risk of scams.
Check SIM Card Quality: Testing the functionality of a new SIM card before leaving the store helps avoid any unexpected issues.

Skimming devices on ATMs can steal your card information. Use ATMs in banks or inside shopping malls.

Bank ATMs: Using ATMs located within banks provides a higher level of security.
Shopping Mall ATMs: ATMs in shopping malls are generally safer than standalone machines, as they are more likely to have surveillance.
Cover Your Hand: Placing your hand over the keypad while entering your PIN helps prevent keylogging devices from capturing your information.

Unscrupulous vendors may use cheap or substandard ingredients. Stick to recommended food establishments.

Recommended Establishments: Choosing restaurants and food stalls that are well-regarded by locals and travelers reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Avoid Street Food at Night: Street food vendors during nighttime may use lower quality or unsafe ingredients.
Check for Health Certificates: Ensure the vendor has a valid health certificate, which signifies that they meet safety and hygiene standards.

Unlicensed tour guides may overcharge or take you to less desirable attractions. Book guided tours through reputable agencies.

Reputable Agencies: Choosing a well-known and trusted agency minimizes the chances of encountering dishonest tour guides.
Check for Tour Guide License: Ensure your tour guide has a valid license, which shows they are certified and knowledgeable.
Read Reviews: Researching and reading reviews can help you choose a reputable and reliable tour guide or agency.

Vendors may sell counterfeit or overpriced souvenirs. Research popular items and buy from trusted shops.

Research Popular Items: Being familiar with well-known and authentic souvenirs helps you avoid overpaying or buying fake products.
Trusted Shops: Choosing reliable shops with good customer feedback can help ensure you get high-quality souvenirs at fair prices.
Bargain Respectfully: Negotiating the price of your souvenir shows respect for local culture while also helping you secure a reasonable deal.

Some hotels may overcharge or offer poor service. Research hotels thoroughly and read reviews.

Thorough Research: Analyzing various factors such as location, amenities, and guest experiences helps you find a suitable hotel.
Reputable Reviews: Reading honest and detailed reviews from multiple sources provides insights into the quality of service offered by a hotel.
Book Directly: Booking directly through the hotel's official website or contacting them directly can help you secure better deals and avoid booking fees.

Strangers who offer help or become overly friendly may try to steal your belongings. Stay vigilant and keep a close eye on your possessions.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Remaining alert and observing your surroundings helps you notice any suspicious activities.
Keep Personal Belongings Secure: Maintaining a tight grip on your belongings prevents them from being easily stolen.
Travel in Groups: Staying in groups makes it more difficult for scammers to target individual travelers.

Boat operators may overcharge or take you to less desirable destinations. Research and book boat tours through reputable agencies.

Reputable Agencies: Choosing a well-known and trusted agency minimizes the chances of encountering dishonest boat operators.
Check for License and Insurance: Ensure your boat operator has a valid license, insurance, and proper safety equipment.
Read Reviews: Researching and reading reviews can help you choose a reputable and reliable boat tour provider.

Vendors may use fake weights or measures. Be cautious when shopping and negotiate prices accordingly.

Bargain Carefully: Negotiating the price of your items shows respect for local culture while also helping you secure a reasonable deal.
Weigh Items Yourself: If possible, weigh the goods yourself to ensure that they are not being underweighted.
Stay Aware of Your Belongings: Remaining alert and observing your surroundings helps you notice any suspicious activities.

Bars may overcharge tourists or serve watered-down drinks. Research popular bars and stick to reputable establishments.

Research Popular Bars: Being familiar with well-known and authentic bars helps you avoid overpaying or receiving subpar drinks.
Trusted Establishments: Choosing reliable bars with good customer feedback can help ensure you have a positive experience.
Check Drinks Carefully: Ensure your drinks are mixed properly and poured from the correct bottle to avoid being served watered-down or cheap alcohol.

Cabarets may overcharge tourists for drinks and entertainment. Research cabarets thoroughly and negotiate prices in advance.

Thorough Research: Analyzing various factors such as location, show quality, and guest experiences helps you find a suitable cabaret.
Negotiate Prices in Advance: Discussing the cost of drinks and entertainment beforehand prevents any surprises or disputes later.
Read Reviews: Researching and reading reviews from multiple sources provides insights into the quality of service offered by a cabaret.

Bus terminals may have unscrupulous ticket vendors or overpriced services. Research bus companies and book tickets in advance.

Research Bus Companies: Being familiar with reputable bus companies helps you avoid overpaying or encountering dishonest ticket vendors.
Book Tickets in Advance: Purchasing tickets ahead of time guarantees your seat and may secure a better price.
Check for Licensed Ticket Vendors: Ensure the ticket vendor is licensed, which signifies they are legitimate and trustworthy.