Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Pasay City, Pasay, Philippines

All Topics about Pasay City All Cities in Philippines

1. Overpriced Taxis

Avoid overpriced taxis by using app-based services like Grab or using the pre-paid taxi booths at the airport.

Price Gouging: Taxis at the airport often charge more than regular prices.
Pre-paid Taxi Booths: Avoid the hassle of negotiating with drivers by using pre-paid booths.
App-based Services: Services like Grab offer convenience and transparency for fares.

Purchase souvenirs from licensed stores or official vendors to ensure authenticity.

Authenticity: Counterfeit items can be of lower quality and may not function as intended.
Supporting Local Economy: Buying from licensed stores helps local businesses thrive.
Price Differences: Counterfeit items are often cheaper but may have hidden costs or not last as long.

Street vendors selling fishballs and kikiam may use cheaper fillers. Be aware of the quality of food before purchasing.

Cheaper Fillers: Some street vendors may use cheaper ingredients to cut costs.
Taste and Quality: Good fishballs are chewy and flavorful, while poor-quality ones may be mushy or bland.
Location: Established vendors in busy areas are more likely to offer high-quality food.

Book licensed tour guides through reputable agencies or hotels to avoid scams. Check for a Department of Tourism (DOT) accreditation.

Licensed and Accredited: Accredited tour guides are knowledgeable, reliable, and adhere to safety standards.
Reputation: Avoid unlicensed guides who may lead you to overpriced or fraudulent attractions.
Personalized Experience: Licensed guides can tailor the experience to your interests and needs.

Avoid giving personal information or money to strangers in malls. Be cautious of people offering unsolicited help or assistance.

Personal Information Security: Strangers may attempt to steal your personal data for identity theft.
Unsolicited Help: Be wary of people offering help without being asked, as they might be scammers.
Avoiding Confrontation: It's better to avoid confrontation and move on instead of engaging with potential scammers.

Buy event tickets from authorized vendors or official websites to avoid overpriced resold tickets.

Overpricing: Resold tickets are often marked up, costing you more than necessary.
Fraudulent Tickets: Counterfeit tickets may not grant entry to events, wasting your money.
Buying Directly: Authorized vendors and official websites offer the best prices and guarantee ticket validity.

Use well-lit and secure ATMs, cover your hand while entering your PIN, and be cautious of anyone loitering near the ATM.

Lighting Conditions: Avoid poorly lit areas where skimmers can easily install devices.
Loiterers: People loitering near the ATM may be casing the area for potential theft opportunities.
Card Security: Cover your hand while entering your PIN to protect it from prying eyes.

Book shore excursions through the cruise ship or a reputable tour company to avoid overpriced or fraudulent options.

Overpricing: Independent operators may charge more for tours than the cruise line.
Fraudulent Tours: Some independent operators may not deliver on promised experiences or attractions.
Reputable Companies: Cruise lines and reputable tour companies offer quality tours and customer protection.

Keep your belongings close and use anti-theft bags or pockets to protect yourself from pickpockets.

Anti-Theft Devices: Anti-theft devices can help prevent thieves from easily accessing your belongings.
Awareness: Stay aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings secure to reduce the risk of theft.
Location: Crowded areas may increase the risk of pickpocketing, so be extra cautious in these locations.

Avoid accepting assistance from strangers offering help with casino games or promising easy winnings.

Assistance Scams: Strangers may offer to help you play games, but take your money and leave.
Easy Winnings Promises: Some scammers may claim they have a way to win big, but these schemes are illegal.
Casino Rules: Understand the rules of each game and play responsibly to avoid falling for scams.

Choose street food vendors with clean, well-maintained stalls and high turnover of customers.

Cleanliness: Avoid vendors with dirty surfaces or poor hygiene practices.
High Turnover: Busy street food vendors tend to use fresher ingredients and cook quickly.
Customer Feedback: Look for positive reviews or ask locals about the quality of street food vendors.

Choose spas with proper licenses and good reviews to avoid poor-quality or fraudulent services.

Licensing: Properly licensed spas adhere to safety standards and offer quality services.
Customer Feedback: Read reviews from previous customers to ensure a positive experience.
Location: Established spas in busy areas or hotels are more likely to be reputable.

Negotiate the fare before getting into a pedicab and avoid areas with no meter.

Negotiation: Avoid overpaying by negotiating the fare upfront.
No Meter: Pedicabs without a meter may charge more than the standard rate.
Avoiding Scams: Be cautious of pedicab drivers who try to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists.

Do not click on links or provide personal information in unexpected emails. Contact the sender directly through known channels for verification.

Link Safety: Clicking on links in unsolicited emails may lead to malware or phishing sites.
Personal Information Security: Providing personal information in unsolicited emails can lead to identity theft.
Email Verification: Contact the sender directly through known channels for verification before responding to emails.

Avoid shops offering unusually low prices for high-value items. Such deals may involve counterfeit or stolen goods.

Counterfeit Goods: Items with extremely low prices may be counterfeit or of poor quality.
Stolen Goods: Bargain items may have been stolen, leading to legal issues for the buyer.
Price Variance: Prices for similar items should be roughly consistent in the market.