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

All Topics about Omaha All Cities in United States

1. Omaha Street Art Scams

Be aware of strangers offering 'guided tours' of Omaha street art. Stick to official tours or reliable maps.

Unsolicited Guides: Avoid accepting offers from unofficial guides.
Official Tours: Choose official tours or reliable maps for exploration.
Scams Warning Signs: Be wary of overeager individuals, excessive praise, or high prices.

Avoid taxi scams by only using official airport taxis or ride-sharing services.

Official Airport Taxi: Use the official airport taxi service.
Ride-Sharing Services: Utilize authorized ride-sharing services.
Avoid Unmarked Taxis: Stay away from unmarked taxis or those without airport authorization.

Purchase event tickets only from authorized vendors to avoid ticket scalping scams.

Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets from authorized vendors at the venue or online.
Scalpers Warning Signs: Be aware of aggressive sellers, unusually low prices, or poorly printed tickets.
Online Purchase Protection: Consider buying online to protect yourself from scams.

Buy attraction tickets only at the venue or authorized kiosks in Old Market to avoid fake ticket scams.

Venue Ticket Sales: Purchase tickets directly from the venue.
Authorized Kiosks: Look for authorized kiosks in Old Market to buy attraction tickets.
Ticket Quality Warning Signs: Be cautious of poorly printed, damaged, or suspicious-looking tickets.

Book hotels only through reliable sources to avoid fraudulent booking scams.

Reliable Booking Sources: Use reputable travel websites or book directly with the hotel.
Fraud Signals: Watch for unusually low prices, limited payment options, or unverified contact information.
Confirmation Email: Check for a confirmation email after booking to ensure the reservation is valid.

Be vigilant when handling cash to avoid receiving counterfeit money.

Know Your Bills: Familiarize yourself with the appearance of U.S. currency.
Counterfeit Money Warning Signs: Look for misaligned edges, missing security features, or unusually smooth texture.
Check Payment Before Leaving: Confirm the correct change before leaving the store or vendor.

Use well-lit and busy ATMs to avoid ATM skimming scams.

Well-lit ATMs: Choose ATMs in well-lit areas with good visibility.
Busy ATMs: Prefer ATMs that are frequently used and monitored.
ATM Security Features: Look for tamper-evident stickers, sensors, or security cameras on the ATM.

Only use official parking meters to avoid parking meter scam issues.

Official Parking Meters: Use only the official parking meters in Downtown Omaha.
Meter Payment Warning Signs: Be cautious of unattended payment devices or suspicious-looking meters.
Time Limits and Expired Meters: Check the time limits on the meter and return to your vehicle before the expiration.

Bargain smartly but avoid overly cheap items at flea markets to steer clear of scams.

Bargaining Tactics: Negotiate prices but be aware of items that are significantly cheaper than others.
Reliable Sellers: Look for reputable and established sellers in the market.
Suspicious Items Warning Signs: Be cautious of items with missing tags, poor quality, or unusual packaging.

Check restaurant reviews before dining out to avoid unsavory dining scams.

Restaurant Reviews: Read online reviews of restaurants before dining.
Menu Prices: Be aware of menu prices and check for hidden charges.
Payment Discrepancies Warning Signs: Look for discrepancies between the bill and the food served.

Play fair games or avoid carnival games with suspicious rules to steer clear of scams.

Fair Games: Choose games that appear to be skill-based and offer a chance to win.
Suspicious Carnival Games Warning Signs: Avoid games with unusual rules, excessive prizes, or suspicious operators.
Winning Strategies: Use simple and consistent strategies when playing games of skill.

Only donate to trusted charities or causes to avoid donation box scams.

Trusted Charities: Donate only to reputable and recognized charities.
Legitimate Collection Sites: Look for collection sites that are associated with the charity or cause.
Donation Box Security: Ensure donation boxes have tamper-evident seals and are in secure locations.

Shop around for the best prices to avoid bait-and-switch retail scams.

Compare Prices: Compare prices at various stores before making a purchase.
Suspicious Stores Warning Signs: Be cautious of stores with limited selections, poor quality items, or pushy salespeople.
Check Receipts: Double-check receipts to ensure the item and price match what was displayed.

Mind your personal belongings and be wary of overly friendly strangers to avoid friendly scams.

Personal Belongings Security: Keep a close eye on your personal belongings in public places.
Stranger Warning Signs: Be cautious of strangers who approach you unexpectedly or offer unsolicited help.
Report Suspicious Behavior: Inform authorities if you encounter suspicious behavior in public places.

Purchase goods only from reputable sellers to avoid counterfeit items.

Reputable Sellers: Shop at established and reputable stores or markets.
Counterfeit Goods Warning Signs: Look for poor quality, unusual packaging, or unusually low prices.
Check Product Authenticity: Verify the authenticity of goods by checking for holograms, seals, or other security features.