Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Oklahoma City, United States

All Topics about Oklahoma City All Cities in United States

1. Bricktown Entertainment District Scams

Avoid fake parking attendants or ticket scammers in the popular Bricktown area. Be cautious of unsolicited help with parking.

Unsolicited Parking Help: Watch out for strangers offering to park your car or sell you 'legitimate' parking passes.
Fake Ticket Scammers: Be wary of individuals claiming to be police officers selling fake parking tickets.
Park in Official Parking Spots: Always park in official, well-lit areas and avoid deserted spots.

Be aware of toll scammers on Thunder Road. Only pay at official toll booths or lanes.

Toll Booth Scammers: Some individuals may claim to be toll collectors but are actually scammers.
Mobile Toll Collection Scams: Beware of people approaching your vehicle claiming to collect unpaid toll fees.
Official Toll Plazas: Only pay at official toll plazas with clearly marked signage and uniformed staff.

Avoid airport taxi scams by pre-arranging rides or using official taxi services.

Pre-arranged Rides: Book your ride through a reputable service before you arrive at the airport.
Official Taxis: Use only licensed and regulated taxis from the airport taxi stand.
Shuttle Services: Consider using hotel shuttle services or shared ride services for a safer option.

Watch out for street performers using distraction techniques to pickpocket unsuspecting visitors.

Distraction Techniques: Performers may use tricks like spilling substances or asking for help to distract you.
Aggressive Solicitation: Some performers may be overly aggressive in soliciting donations.
Secure Belongings: Keep your belongings close and avoid displaying valuables openly while in crowded areas.

Avoid fake city tours by checking reviews, using reputable companies, and asking for identification.

Check Reviews: Read online reviews to ensure the tour company has a good reputation.
Reputable Companies: Choose tours from established and licensed companies with positive feedback.
Ask for Identification: Ask your tour guide to present identification, especially if they claim to be a local or guide.

Be cautious of fake rideshare drivers who may pose as legitimate drivers to steal from passengers.

Check App for Driver Info: Always check the app for your driver's name, car model, and license plate number.
Meet in Well-lit Area: Avoid meeting drivers in unlit or deserted areas. Always meet them at designated pickup points.
Share Ride Info with Contacts: Inform someone you trust about your ride details, including the driver's name and vehicle information.

Avoid accident scams by not stopping for traffic incidents unless safe to do so. If you must stop, call authorities immediately.

Don't Stop Unless Safe: If a traffic incident occurs, pull over at a safe distance before stopping.
Call Authorities: Always call the police or highway department if you witness or are involved in a traffic incident.
Avoid Handing Out Information: Do not provide personal information, insurance details, or offer assistance unless it's safe to do so.

Avoid ATM skimming scams by using well-lit, busy ATMs and monitoring your account for unusual activity.

Well-lit ATMs: Choose ATMs that are located in well-lit, public areas with cameras nearby.
Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your account for unauthorized transactions and report them immediately.
Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent potential cameras from capturing it.

Avoid counterfeit money scams by carefully examining bills and spending small amounts first.

Examine Bills Carefully: Inspect the bill for any flaws, such as misspellings or poor quality.
Spend Small Amounts First: Start by spending smaller amounts to ensure the bill is genuine before making large transactions.
Know Your Money: Familiarize yourself with the current US currency design to easily spot counterfeit bills.

Avoid public Wi-fi scams by not accessing sensitive information and using a VPN.

Avoid Sensitive Info: Do not perform online banking or enter personal details on public Wi-fi networks.
Use a VPN: Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection.
Secure Devices: Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches and use strong passwords.

Avoid lottery scams by never providing personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or emails.

Ignore Unsolicited Calls: Do not respond to calls or emails claiming you've won a lottery you did not enter.
Report Scams: If you receive a suspicious call, email, or letter, report it to the appropriate authorities.
Check Official Sources: Always check official lottery websites for information on any winnings or contests.

Avoid fake charity scams by researching the organization and donating through their official website.

Research the Organization: Check the organization's legitimacy before donating, especially if approached in person or online.
Official Website Donations: Donate through the official charity website using a secure payment method.
Avoid Cash Donations: If possible, avoid giving cash donations and opt for checks or credit card payments instead.

Avoid fake event tickets scams by purchasing tickets from official outlets or reputable ticket sellers.

Purchase from Official Outlets: Buy your tickets directly from the venue or through their authorized ticket sellers.
Check Ticket Seller Reputation: Research the reputation of online ticket sellers before making a purchase.
Inspect Tickets Carefully: Thoroughly inspect your tickets for any irregularities or missing information.

Avoid parking meter scams by using official meters and paying with the correct coins.

Official Parking Meters: Always park at official, clearly marked parking meters.
Correct Coins: Be aware of the correct coins required for your parking duration and use exact change.
Monitor Expiration Times: Check the parking meter for the expiration time and return to your vehicle before it expires.

Avoid street food scams by eating from reputable vendors and not consuming anything that looks suspicious.

Reputable Vendors: Choose food vendors with a clean, well-run operation and positive reviews.
Avoid Suspicious Foods: Stay away from food that looks questionable or is not being prepared properly.
Cooked to Order: Opt for foods that are cooked in front of you, ensuring freshness and safety.