Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Iloilo, Iloilo, Philippines

All Topics about Iloilo All Cities in Philippines

1. Jaro Famous Church-Market Scam

Scammers posing as church guides or vendors trick visitors into overpaying for goods or services.

Awareness: Know the regular prices of items and services to avoid being overcharged.
Vigilance: Be cautious when approached by strangers offering assistance or special deals.
Information: Research reputable local businesses and vendors to ensure a safe shopping experience.

Taxis in Iloilo often overcharge tourists without meter usage.

Meter Usage: Always insist on using the taxi's meter and confirm its proper functioning.
Prepaid Taxis: Use prepaid taxis or apps for a hassle-free and fixed fare ride.
Negotiation: Negotiate the fare before starting the journey to avoid overcharging.

Airport sim card vendors may sell faulty SIM cards or overcharge tourists.

Reputable Vendors: Purchase sim cards from reputable stores inside the city instead of airport vendors.
Data Packages: Ask for data packages with unlimited internet access to stay connected during travel.
Price Comparison: Compare prices of sim cards and data packages from different providers before purchasing.

Some street food vendors may serve undercooked or contaminated food to tourists.

Food Safety: Only eat from well-established and busy street food stalls with clean surroundings.
Cooking Techniques: Ask for dishes that are thoroughly cooked and avoid raw or undercooked items.
Hygiene: Check if vendors use clean utensils, gloves, and maintain proper hygiene practices.

Criminals may install skimmers on ATMs to steal your card information.

Safe ATMs: Use ATMs located inside banks or well-lit, busy areas for safer transactions.
Card Protection: Cover the ATM keypad when entering your PIN to prevent keyloggers and eavesdropping.
Bank Notifications: Set up transaction alerts on your bank account to quickly detect any unauthorized activities.

The 'bahala na' culture may lead locals and businesses to be less attentive towards tourists' needs.

Patience: Be patient when dealing with local services and expect a slower pace of service.
Clear Communication: Clearly express your needs and expectations to avoid misunderstandings and delays.
Research: Research local customs and etiquette before visiting Iloilo to better understand the 'bahala na' culture.

Locals may befriend tourists and then ask for money or favors.

Suspicion: Stay vigilant and be cautious when interacting with strangers who try to establish a close relationship.
Limited Sharing: Avoid sharing sensitive information like your accommodation address or travel plans with strangers.
Helpful Resources: Use helpful resources, such as tour guides and reputable locals, when seeking assistance during travel.

Unauthorized guides may offer their services inside museums or historical sites.

Official Guides: Only use official museum guides and purchase tickets from authorized vendors.
Research: Research the museum's opening hours, admission fees, and rules before visiting.
Group Tours: Join organized group tours to ensure a reliable and informative experience.

Ferry operators may overcharge tourists for tickets.

Prepaid Tickets: Purchase prepaid tickets online or from authorized vendors to avoid overpaying.
Fixed Fares: Ask for the fixed fare before boarding and confirm it with the ferry operator.
Companion Discounts: Inquire about companion discounts if traveling in a group to save on ticket costs.

Hotels may overbook rooms and offer less desirable alternatives.

Reputable Hotels: Book accommodations at reputable hotels to reduce the risk of overbooking.
Advance Booking: Make reservations in advance and confirm availability before arrival.
Negotiation: Negotiate for a room upgrade or compensation if overbooked upon arrival.

Souvenir shops may charge tourists higher prices.

Awareness: Know the regular prices of souvenirs and negotiate for a fair price.
Local Markets: Purchase souvenirs from local markets or artisan shops for lower prices.
Multiple Items: Buy multiple items together to negotiate a better price per item.

Unscrupulous currency exchange vendors may offer unfavorable rates.

Reputable Vendors: Exchange money at banks, hotels, or reputable exchange centers.
Comparison: Compare exchange rates between multiple vendors before making a transaction.
Large Amounts: Exchange larger amounts to get a better rate and avoid multiple transactions.

Some travel agencies may offer fraudulent packages or services.

Reputable Agencies: Use reputable and well-established travel agencies for booking tours and accommodations.
Online Research: Research reviews, ratings, and feedback from previous customers before booking.
Official Documentation: Request official documents and contracts for all bookings to ensure legitimacy.

Touts may offer fake tickets or overpriced items during festivals and events.

Official Channels: Purchase festival tickets from official channels and authorized vendors.
Avoiding Scams: Stay vigilant when interacting with touts during festivals to avoid scams.
Local Knowledge: Research the festival's rules, regulations, and common scams before attending.

Beach vendors may overcharge tourists or offer poor quality items.

Awareness: Know the regular prices of beach goods and negotiate for a fair price.
Local Markets: Purchase beach items from local markets or artisan shops instead of beach vendors.
Multiple Items: Buy multiple items together to negotiate a better price per item.