Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia

All Topics about Lusaka All Cities in Zambia

1. Marketplace Money Exchange Scams

Avoid exchanging money at busy markets due to overvaluation or counterfeit notes. Use licensed bureaux de change instead.

Licensed Bureaux de Change: Official, regulated exchange centers for foreign currency.
Busy Markets: High-risk areas for scams due to anonymity and high volume of transactions.
Overvaluation and Counterfeit Notes: Fraudulent practices such as offering higher rates or using fake currency.

Avoid taxis not licensed by the airport authority. Use only the designated taxi rank and agree on fare before starting journey.

Designated Taxi Rank: Authorized pick-up location for official taxis.
Licensed Taxis: Official, regulated vehicles with proper identification and licenses.
Prearranged Fare: Agreeing on a fare before starting the journey helps to avoid overcharging.

Avoid purchasing goods from street vendors without a reputation. Stick to established shops for branded items.

Established Shops: Legitimate stores with proper licenses and quality control.
Reputable Street Vendors: Vendors who have a good standing in the community and offer genuine goods.
Counterfeit Goods: Poorly made copies of branded items that may break easily or lack proper functionality.

Be wary of overly friendly locals offering assistance. They may lead you to scams or ask for money in return.

Overly Friendly Locals: Locals who act overly friendly and offer help may be attempting a scam.
Asking for Money in Return: Requests for money or gifts in exchange for assistance may indicate a scam.
Leading to Scams: Attempts to lead you to specific locations where scams occur, such as ATMs or shops.

Use ATMs located in well-lit, busy areas. Avoid using machines with unusual features or covering over the keypad.

Well-lit, Busy Areas: Reduced risk of tampering and observation due to increased foot traffic.
Unusual Features: ATMs with additional card readers or cameras may be rigged for skimming.
Covering Over the Keypad: An attempt to record your PIN while you enter it.

Protect your phone number by not giving it out easily. Avoid using public phones and Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.

Public Phones and Wi-Fi: Unsecured communication channels that can be compromised.
Not Giving Out Phone Number Easily: Limit sharing your phone number to avoid sim swap scams and identity theft.
Sensitive Transactions: Banking, password reset, or other personal data transactions should be done securely.

Book tours with reputable operators. Be cautious of unsolicited offers from strangers.

Reputable Operators: Legitimate tour companies with good reviews and a history of reliable service.
Unsolicited Offers: Offers from strangers may be attempts to scam you or lead you to dangerous areas.
Dangerous Areas: Areas where scams occur, such as ATMs or remote locations with few witnesses.

Avoid walking alone at night. Stay in well-lit, populated areas and use licensed taxis for transportation.

Well-lit, Populated Areas: Reduced risk of crime and increased visibility.
Licensed Taxis: Official, regulated vehicles with proper identification and licenses.
Walking Alone at Night: Increased risk of muggings, pickpocketing, or other crimes.

Research charities before donating. Be cautious of street fundraisers asking for money.

Researching Charities: Investigate the legitimacy and transparency of charities before donating.
Street Fundraisers: Individuals asking for money on the street may not be associated with a legitimate charity.
Donation Scams: Fraudulent charities that do not use donations for their intended purpose.

Avoid accommodations or restaurants without reviews. Negotiate prices before committing.

Reviews: Previous customers' feedback on quality, service, and price.
Negotiation: Discussing the price beforehand to avoid overpaying for subpar services.
Overpriced Accommodations and Restaurants: Establishments that charge excessive prices without offering comparable quality.

Visit established attractions with reviews. Be cautious of unknown locations promoted by strangers.

Established Attractions: Legitimate tourist destinations with good reviews and safety measures.
Unknown Locations: Places that may not exist or are unsafe due to lack of maintenance or proper signage.
Strangers Promoting Tourist Attractions: Individuals promoting tourist attractions without the owner's permission may be attempting a scam.

Use credit cards sparingly and monitor transactions closely. Avoid using public computers for online shopping.

Public Computers: Unsecured computers with possible keylogging malware.
Credit Card Fraud: Unauthorized use of your credit card information for transactions.
Monitoring Transactions Closely: Regularly reviewing credit card statements to catch suspicious activity.

Always carry a copy of your passport and visa. Know local emergency numbers.

Copy of Passport and Visa: Helps verify your identity if stopped by law enforcement.
Local Emergency Numbers: Knowing the proper emergency numbers to call in case of an issue.
Fake Police Officers: Individuals posing as police officers to commit scams or theft.

Avoid bargaining for goods if you're not familiar with the market prices. Be aware of 'too good to be true' offers.

Market Prices: Understanding the typical prices for goods in the local market.
Bargaining for Goods: Negotiating the price of a good with the seller.
Too Good to Be True Offers: Deals that seem exceptionally generous may be attempts to scam you.

Avoid sharing personal information or possessions with strangers. Be aware of pickpocketing on public transportation.

Strangers: Individuals you don't know, especially those who initiate conversation.
Personal Information or Possessions: Sharing sensitive information or valuable items with strangers may lead to scams.
Pickpocketing on Public Transportation: Theft of belongings from passengers during travel, often perpetrated by thieves disguised as commuters.