Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in McAllen, United States

1. Border Patrol Scam

Fraudsters pose as border agents asking for money or personal information.

Impersonation: Legitimate authorities will never ask for money or personal information at the border.
Unaffiliated: Real officials will always show proper identification.
Public Safety: Do not engage with anyone claiming to be a border official outside of official checkpoints.

Some taxis in McAllen may charge excessive prices or take longer routes.

Stores selling counterfeit goods may appear legitimate.

Fraudsters may offer unauthorized parking services at the airport.

Unauthorized Services: Only park in official airport parking areas.
Parking Permit: Always check for a valid parking permit and ID from the attendant.
Report Suspicious Activities: If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to airport authorities immediately.

Unlicensed tour guides may offer their services in McAllen.

Check for License: Ask to see the guide's official license.
Research Tour Operators: Choose reputable and well-known tour operators.
Stick with Groups: Travel in groups when possible to avoid unwanted attention.

Fraudsters may overcharge for car rentals or offer damaged vehicles.

Check Vehicle Condition: Thoroughly inspect the rental vehicle before driving off.
Compare Prices: Compare prices with other car rental companies to avoid overpaying.
Read Contract Carefully: Always read the contract carefully before signing.

Scammers may claim you've won a lottery but require an upfront payment.

No Initial Payment: Legitimate lotteries will not ask for any initial payment.
Check with Organizer: Contact the organizer of the lottery to verify if it's legitimate.
Report Scam: If you suspect a scam, report it to local authorities.

Fraudsters may install skimmers on ATMs to steal credit card information.

Check ATM for Tampering: Examine the ATM for any signs of tampering before using it.
Cover PIN Entry: Always cover your PIN entry when using an ATM.
Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your account activity for any unusual transactions.

Fraudsters may offer hotel rooms that do not exist or are in poor condition.

Check Hotel Reputation: Research hotels before booking and choose well-reviewed ones.
Inspect Room: Thoroughly inspect the hotel room before accepting it.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from other travelers to get an idea of the hotel's quality.

Restaurants may overcharge tourists or serve poor-quality food.

Check Menu Prices: Compare menu prices with other restaurants to avoid overpaying.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from other diners to get an idea of the restaurant's quality.
Ask for Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on good restaurants to dine at.

Unsecured Wi-Fi networks may allow hackers to steal your data.

Use a VPN: Always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
Avoid Sensitive Transactions: Avoid conducting sensitive transactions over public Wi-Fi.
Check Network Name: Only connect to officially recognized Wi-Fi networks.

Performers may ask for money and then damage your belongings.

Avoid Interaction: Avoid interaction with street performers to prevent any misunderstandings.
Secure Belongings: Keep your belongings secure and close at hand.
Report Suspicious Activities: If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to local authorities.

Scammers may send emails pretending to be from a legitimate company.

Check Email Sender: Always verify the sender's email address and check for any discrepancies.
Never Click Links or Download Attachments: Do not click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails.
Contact Company Directly: If you're unsure, contact the company directly to verify the email's authenticity.

Scammers may claim to be a friend or family member in need of money.

Verify Identity: Always verify the identity of the person requesting help.
Never Send Money: Never send money to someone you haven't met in person or spoken to extensively on the phone.
Check with Others: Contact other family members or friends to verify if the person is actually in need.

Scammers may pose as charity collectors asking for donations.

Check Charity Reputation: Research the charity before donating to ensure it's legitimate.
Avoid Street Collections: Avoid giving money to street collectors unless you can verify their authenticity.
Donate Directly: Donate directly through the charity's official website or contact them for more information.