Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

All Topics about Ogbomoso All Cities in Nigeria

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced taxi rides by negotiating prices before starting journey.

Price Negotiation: Negotiate the price before getting into a taxi to avoid overpaying.
Registered Taxis: Always use registered taxis for safety and assurance of proper pricing.
Busy Areas: Avoid negotiating prices in secluded areas to prevent being overcharged.

Verify exchange rates and only use reputable money exchangers.

Exchange Rate Verification: Compare exchange rates online or at multiple locations to ensure fairness.
Reputable Money Exchangers: Choose money exchangers that are registered and have good reviews.
Busy Areas: Exchange money in busy, well-lit areas to minimize the risk of scams.

Ask for credentials and recommendations before hiring a tour guide.

Credentials Check: Ensure the tour guide has valid identification and a tour company affiliation.
Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from trusted sources before hiring a tour guide.
Busy Areas: Find tour guides in busy tourist areas or through reputable agencies.

Book accommodations through established booking platforms or trusted local sources.

Established Booking Platforms: Book accommodations on reputable online platforms for security and peace of mind.
Trusted Local Sources: Ask locals or trusted friends for recommendations on accommodations.
Inspection Before Payment: Inspect the accommodation before making a payment to ensure its quality and safety.

Use ATMs at banks or reputable locations to avoid card skimming and fraud.

Bank ATMs: Withdraw cash from ATMs located within banks for increased security.
Reputable Locations: Choose ATMs in well-lit, busy areas to minimize the risk of fraud.
Cover Your PIN: Always cover your PIN when entering it to prevent potential thieves from seeing it.

Be cautious of overly friendly locals offering help or asking for assistance.

Ask for Help from Trusted Sources: Seek help from trusted travel companions, tour guides, or hotel staff.
Be Aware of Your Belongings: Keep a close eye on your personal belongings to prevent theft and pickpocketing.
Don't Share Personal Information: Do not share sensitive information with strangers, especially regarding financial matters.

Choose street food vendors that have a crowd and fresh ingredients.

Crowd Factor: Opt for street food stalls with a steady stream of customers for freshness and quality.
Ingredient Freshness: Choose vendors that use fresh ingredients, such as those who make food to order.
Cleanliness: Avoid street food stalls with poor hygiene or unclean conditions.

Haggle prices and verify authenticity of goods at local markets.

Price Haggling: Negotiate prices to get the best deal, but be reasonable and respectful.
Authenticity Verification: Ask for a receipt or look for trusted shopkeepers for genuine items.
Busy Areas: Shop in busy areas of the market, as these vendors typically have more reliable goods.

Participate in cultural exchanges through reputable organizations or trusted locals.

Reputable Organizations: Join cultural exchange programs offered by reputable agencies for safety and organization.
Trusted Locals: Find cultural exchange partners through trusted friends, hotels, or tour guides.
Research Cultural Norms: Learn about local customs and norms to avoid any unintentional offenses during exchanges.

Buy sim cards from official outlets or reputable sellers to avoid fraud.

Official Outlets: Purchase sim cards directly from the telecom company's store for authenticity.
Reputable Sellers: Buy sim cards from well-established, trusted retailers or local shops.
Check Activation: Ensure the sim card is activated upon purchase and can be used immediately.

Purchase tickets from authorized vendors or at official venues to avoid counterfeit tickets.

Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets directly from the event venue or an authorized ticket vendor.
Avoid Street Sales: Do not purchase tickets from unofficial sellers on the street to avoid counterfeits.
Check Ticket Authenticity: Verify the authenticity of tickets before making a purchase and upon entry.

Pay exact change for bus fare to avoid being overcharged.

Exact Change: Have the exact fare ready to prevent potential overcharging.
Avoid Conductors: Pay the bus driver directly to avoid conductors who may try to overcharge you.
Buses with Fixed Rates: Travel on buses that have fixed rates, as opposed to shared taxis, for consistency in pricing.

Avoid giving money to beggars and instead donate to reputable charities.

Reputable Charities: Donate to recognized, trustworthy charities that help the community.
Be Aware of Your Belongings: Keep a close eye on your personal belongings when in crowded areas to prevent theft.
Don't Encourage Dependency: Giving money can inadvertently encourage dependency, so opt for donations instead.

Verify the guide's credentials and affiliation with a reputable tour company.

Credentials Verification: Ask to see identification and check for an affiliation with a recognized tour company.
Reputable Tour Companies: Choose guides from established, reputable tour companies for safety and reliability.
Avoid Unlicensed Guides: Avoid unlicensed or unregistered guides to minimize the risk of scams.

Meet potential dates in public places and verify their identity through video calls or meeting friends.

Public Meetings: Arrange to meet potential dates in a public place for safety and security.
Video Call Verification: Use video calls to confirm the person's identity before meeting them.
Meeting Friends or Contacts: Arrange to meet potential dates with mutual friends or contacts for added safety.