Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Edmonton, Canada
1. Street Art Scams
Fraudsters often target tourists near popular street art locations, offering fake souvenirs or 'tips' for photos. Avoid these interactions.
- Unsolicited Approaches: Be wary of unsolicited offers and interactions, especially near street art.
- Fake Merchandise: Beware of low-quality or fake souvenirs offered at inflated prices.
- Photography Tips: Some may request 'tips' for taking your photo; it's best to decline.
2. Taxi Scams
Cab drivers might charge inflated fares or direct you to longer routes. Use licensed taxis and agree on the fare before starting your journey.
- Licensed Taxis: Always use licensed taxis with identifiable logos and meters.
- Fare Agreements: Ask for the fare before starting your journey to avoid surprises.
- Route Manipulation: Be aware of potential attempts to take longer routes or visit unrequested locations.
3. ATM Scams
Thieves may install skimming devices on ATMs to steal your card information. Use ATMs located in well-lit, busy areas and cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- ATM Location: Choose ATMs located in well-lit, busy areas to reduce risk.
- Covering the Keypad: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it.
- Check ATM for Skimmers: Inspect the ATM for any unusual devices or tampering before using it.
4. Busker Scams
Talented buskers can draw a crowd and collect donations. While some are legitimate, others may manipulate their act to obtain money unjustly. Observe performances carefully before contributing.
- Legitimate Performances: Observe the performance to ensure it's not a scam before making a donation.
- Excessive Demands: Be cautious if asked for large or excessive amounts of money.
- Multiple Collectors: Be aware if multiple people are collecting donations, as this could be a scam.
5. Festival Scams
Criminals may take advantage of large crowds at festivals to pickpocket or sell counterfeit merchandise. Keep your belongings secure and only buy from authorized vendors.
- Secure Belongings: Keep your belongings secure and avoid displaying valuable items.
- Authorized Vendors: Only purchase merchandise from authorized vendors with proper identification.
- Crowd Awareness: Stay aware of your surroundings and any suspicious activities in the crowd.
6. Car Rental Scams
Some car rental companies may attempt to charge hidden fees or provide vehicles with damage already present. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before renting and review contracts carefully.
- Thorough Inspection: Inspect the rental car thoroughly before signing any agreements.
- Hidden Fees: Review contracts carefully to avoid hidden fees and charges.
- Damage Check: Examine the vehicle for any existing damage before renting.
7. Tour Guide Scams
Unlicensed tour guides may offer cheaper services but lack proper knowledge and might lead you to fraudulent shops or attractions. Use only licensed tour guides with recognizable identification.
- Licensed Tour Guides: Choose only licensed tour guides who can provide proper identification.
- Recognizable Identification: Ask for official documentation to verify the guide's credentials.
- Attraction Recommendations: Be cautious if the tour guide recommends unpopular or lesser-known attractions.
8. Restaurant Scams
Some restaurants may overcharge tourists or serve low-quality food. Research popular restaurants online and ask locals for recommendations.
- Online Reviews: Read reviews of restaurants online before visiting.
- Local Recommendations: Ask locals for restaurant recommendations to find authentic dining experiences.
- Menu Prices: Compare menu prices with other restaurants in the area to avoid overpaying.
9. Accommodation Scams
Fraudulent accommodations may offer subpar services or be located far from tourist attractions. Use reputable booking sites and read reviews before making reservations.
- Reputable Booking Sites: Book accommodations through well-known online platforms.
- Location Verification: Check the accommodation's location on a map to ensure it's near popular tourist attractions.
- Reviews and Ratings: Read reviews and ratings from other travelers before booking an accommodation.
10. Ticket Scalping Scams
Unauthorized ticket sellers may offer counterfeit or overpriced tickets. Only purchase tickets from authorized vendors or official event websites.
- Authorized Vendors: Purchase tickets only from authorized vendors or event websites.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Be wary of tickets that seem too cheap or have unusual features.
- Overpriced Tickets: Avoid ticket sellers offering tickets at significantly higher prices than the original cost.
11. Free Wifi Scams
Public wifi networks may have malicious software installed to steal personal information. Use a VPN or avoid accessing sensitive data on public WiFi.
- VPN Usage: Use a VPN when connecting to public wifi networks.
- Avoid Sensitive Data: Do not access sensitive data, such as bank accounts or personal emails, on public WiFi.
- Public Wifi Security: Be aware that public wifi networks may not be secure and take necessary precautions.
12. Charity Scams
Fraudulent charities may collect donations under false pretenses. Research charities before donating and ensure they are legitimate.
- Reputable Charities: Research the charity's background, mission, and financial transparency.
- Donation Receipts: Ask for a receipt for your donation to keep as proof of the transaction.
- Avoid High-Pressure Tactics: Be wary of aggressive or high-pressure tactics used by charity collectors.
13. Parking Scams
Illegal parking attendants may charge excessive fees for parking in unauthorized areas. Use official parking lots and read parking signs carefully.
- Official Parking Lots: Park in officially designated parking areas.
- Parking Signs: Read and obey all parking signs to avoid fines or illegal parking attendants.
- Excessive Fees: Be cautious if charged excessive fees for parking in unofficial locations.
14. Friendship Scams
Friendly locals or tourists may attempt to befriend you to later extort money or personal information. Be cautious when sharing private details and don't lend money to strangers.
- Private Information Sharing: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers.
- Lending Money: Do not lend money to people you've just met or do not trust.
- Extortion Attempts: Be wary of anyone who asks for financial help excessively or in unusual situations.
15. Internet Café Scams
Some internet cafés may have keyloggers installed to steal personal information. Use secure browsers or a VPN when using public computers.
- Secure Browsers: Use secure browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox with privacy settings.
- VPN Usage: Use a VPN when accessing sensitive information on public computers.
- Avoid Sensitive Data: Do not access sensitive data, such as bank accounts or personal emails, on public computers.