Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom

All Topics about Leicester All Cities in United Kingdom

1. Leicester Market Scam Awareness

Stay vigilant around the bustling market, beware of overpriced goods and pickpocketing.

Crowded Area: High foot traffic makes it easier for scammers to blend in.
Counterfeit Goods: Sellers may offer low-quality or fake items at inflated prices.
Pickpocketing Risk: The crowd can make it easy for thieves to snatch belongings.

Avoid unlicensed taxis and negotiate fares before starting journeys.

Unlicensed Taxis: These can overcharge or take long, unnecessary routes.
Negotiating Fares: Avoid surprises by agreeing on the price before starting the journey.
Recognizing Licensed Taxis: Official taxis will display a local authority or private hire license.

Use well-lit ATMs during daylight and avoid machines with suspicious devices attached.

Suspicious Devices: Scammers can install skimming devices on ATMs to steal card data.
Poor Lighting: Dark locations make it easier for scammers to observe PINs.
Card Retention Scams: Scammers may take your card and ask for the PIN to 'reissue' it.

Only buy tickets from authorized outlets for events like the King Power Stadium.

Authorized Outlets: Official sellers will have proper identification and logos.
Counterfeit Tickets: These tickets may not grant access to the event or be invalid.
Overpriced Tickets: Scammers often sell at inflated prices.

Appreciate Leicester's art but beware of artists asking for upfront payment or 'assistance'.

Upfront Payment Requests: Scam artists may demand payment before starting the artwork.
Assistance Scams: They may ask for help with 'materials' and then disappear after receiving money.
Low-Quality Artwork: The artwork may not meet your expectations, or the artist may rush the job.

Choose reputable tour guides with positive reviews and verify their credentials.

Reputation: Read reviews to ensure a guide has a good reputation.
Credentials Verification: Legitimate tour guides will have proper licensing and credentials.
Overpriced Services: Scammers may offer their services at inflated prices.

Be cautious with street collectors and research charities before donating.

Street Collectors: It's hard to verify their affiliation with a legitimate charity.
Legitimate Charities: Research the charity online and ensure it is registered with the UK Charity Commission.
Counterfeit Collection Boxes: Scammers may place collection boxes in unusual or unauthorized locations.

Book hotels through trusted websites and inspect the room for unusual devices.

Trusted Booking Sites: These sites have security measures in place to protect your information.
Room Inspection: Check for any unusual devices or modifications that might be used for scamming.
Overbooked Rooms: Scammers may offer a room and then say it is overbooked, asking for an upgrade fee.

Avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fis and use a VPN if needed.

Unsecured Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks are easy targets for cybercriminals.
Sensitive Information: Avoid accessing sensitive information, like bank accounts or emails, on public Wi-Fis.
VPN Usage: Using a VPN creates an encrypted connection for added security.

Stay vigilant in shops and avoid leaving personal belongings unattended.

Unattended Belongings: Leaving items visible can attract shoplifters or pickpockets.
Shoplifting Scams: Scammers may switch high-value items with low-value ones before leaving the store.
Store Security: Inspect the store for security cameras and staff presence.

Book car rentals through trusted agencies and inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

Trusted Agencies: They have proper insurance and customer service.
Vehicle Inspection: Check for any damage or modifications that might have been caused after the rental agreement.
Inflated Damage Claims: Scammers may claim damage to the vehicle after returning it.

Be wary of cheap deals on branded items and inspect goods carefully.

Branded Items: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Inspection: Check for any signs of poor quality or manufacturing flaws.
Counterfeit Sellers: They may avoid eye contact or be evasive when asked about the item's origin.

Appreciate their art but don't feel obligated to give more than you want.

Pressure Tactics: Scammers may guilt trip or use high-pressure tactics to get more money.
Tip Expectations: While it's nice to tip, don't feel obligated to give a large amount.
Legitimate Performers: They will be happy and appreciative regardless of the tip size.

Avoid restaurants with no menu or prices upfront and inspect your bill carefully.

Menu Availability: Restaurants should have a visible menu and clear pricing.
Bill Inspection: Check for any unexpected charges or dishonest markups.
Overpriced Meals: Scammers may charge more than the typical cost of a meal.

Use cyber cafes cautiously and avoid accessing sensitive information on their computers.

Sensitive Information: Avoid accessing sensitive information, like bank accounts or emails.
Computer Security: Cyber cafes may have outdated or unsecured computers.
Virus Infections: Scammers can infect computers with viruses to steal personal information.