Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Philadelphia, United States
1. Square Liberty Loans Scam
A fake loan company that offers quick cash to tourists with high interest rates and hidden fees. Avoid by checking with the Better Business Bureau.
- Quick Cash Offer: Offers money quickly without proper documentation.
- High Interest Rates: Charges extremely high interest rates for loans.
- No Business Registration: Operates without a visible business registration.
2. Broad Street Pedi-Cab Scam
Some pedicabs charge excessive fees or refuse to use the meter. Avoid by negotiating a price before starting your ride.
- Excessive Fees: Charges fees significantly higher than the meter rate.
- Refusal to Use Meter: Refuses to use the meter and asks for a higher price.
- No Negotiation Before Ride: Does not allow negotiation of prices before starting the ride.
3. Independence Mall Counterfeit Goods Scam
Vendors selling counterfeit goods near Independence Mall. Avoid by purchasing from authorized sellers.
- Counterfeit Goods: Sells goods that are fake or of poor quality.
- Proximity to Landmarks: Located near popular tourist destinations.
- Lack of Authorization: Sells goods without proper authorization from the park service.
4. City Center Car Break-ins Scam
Car break-ins happening in parking garages near City Center. Avoid by locking your car and not leaving valuables inside.
- Car Break-ins: Cars are broken into and valuables stolen.
- Parking Garages Near City Center: Incidents occur in parking garages near the City Center area.
- Leaving Valuables Inside: Valuables left inside the car are easily accessible to thieves.
5. Love Letter Scam in Love Park
Strangers leaving love letters for tourists, asking for help to meet a relative. Avoid by not getting involved or giving money.
- Love Letters: Strangers leave letters claiming they need assistance.
- Location in Love Park: Occurs in the popular Love Park.
- Request for Money: Asks for money or personal belongings under false pretenses.
6. Pretending to be a Police Officer Scam
Fraudsters posing as police officers asking for money or personal belongings. Avoid by verifying their identity with the Philadelphia Police Department.
- False Identity: Individuals pose as police officers to scam tourists.
- Asking for Money or Belongings: Asks for money or personal belongings under false pretenses.
- Verification Required: Requires verification of their identity with the police department.
7. Street Performance Scam
Street performers demanding money for a performance. Avoid by not giving money without a clear agreement or satisfaction of the performance.
- Demanding Money: Performers demand money before or after the performance.
- Unclear Performance Agreement: Agreement for the performance is not clear or non-existent.
- Satisfaction of the Performance: Performance is not satisfactory, yet money was demanded.
8. ATM Skimming Scam
Thieves using skimmers to steal bank information from ATMs. Avoid by using well-lit and monitored ATMs, and covering the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Skimming Device: Skimmers are placed on ATM machines to steal bank information.
- Poorly Lit or Unmonitored ATMs: Incidents occur at poorly lit or unmonitored ATMs.
- Covering the Keypad: Keypad should be covered while entering your PIN to prevent camera surveillance.
9. Ticket Scalping Scam
Sellers offering tickets for events at inflated prices. Avoid by purchasing tickets from authorized sellers or the venue's box office.
- Inflated Prices: Tickets are sold at significantly higher prices than face value.
- Unauthorized Sellers: Sellers do not have authorization from the event organizers or venue.
- Purchasing from Venue's Box Office: Buying tickets directly from the box office ensures authenticity.
10. Fake Parking Meters Scam
Meters that accept money but do not provide a receipt. Avoid by using well-lit and monitored parking meters and validating the meter's functionality.
- No Receipt Provided: Meters accept money but do not provide a receipt.
- Poorly Lit or Unmonitored Parking Meters: Incidents occur at poorly lit or unmonitored parking meters.
- Validating the Meter's Functionality: Ensure that the meter is working correctly before inserting money.
11. Ferry Ticket Counterfeit Scam
Counterfeit ferry tickets being sold by unauthorized vendors. Avoid by purchasing tickets from authorized sellers or the ferry terminal.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Tickets are fake and not valid for travel.
- Unauthorized Vendors: Vendors do not have authorization from the ferry service.
- Purchasing from Authorized Sellers or Terminal: Buying tickets directly from authorized sellers or the terminal ensures authenticity.
12. Hotel Overbooking Scam
Hotels overbooking rooms and offering alternatives that are lower quality or more expensive. Avoid by booking with reputable hotels and confirming your reservation before arrival.
- Overbooked Rooms: Hotels overbook rooms, leaving customers with subpar alternatives.
- Reputable Hotels: Booking with reputable hotels reduces the risk of overbooking.
- Confirming Reservation before Arrival: Confirming your reservation before arrival ensures that you have a room available upon check-in.
13. Car Rental Scam
Rental cars with hidden damages or falsified insurance documents. Avoid by inspecting the vehicle thoroughly before renting and checking insurance coverage.
- Hidden Damages: Cars are rented with hidden damages that are not disclosed.
- Falsified Insurance Documents: Insurance documents provided are falsified or incomplete.
- Inspecting the Vehicle Thoroughly before Renting and Checking Insurance Coverage: Inspection and insurance checks help to avoid unexpected charges.
14. Unlicensed Tour Guide Scam
Tour guides without proper licensing offering services at lower prices. Avoid by booking tours with licensed and reputable companies.
- Lack of Licensing: Guides do not have the required licenses to operate tours.
- Lower Prices: Tours are offered at prices significantly lower than industry standards.
- Booking Tours with Licensed and Reputable Companies: Booking tours with licensed and reputable companies ensures a quality experience.
15. Taxi Overcharging Scam
Taxis overcharging customers by taking longer routes or charging inflated prices. Avoid by using regulated taxis and using apps to track the fare.
- Overcharging: Customers are charged more than the standard fare for their destination.
- Regulated Taxis: Using regulated taxis helps to avoid overcharges.
- Apps to Track the Fare: Apps help passengers monitor the fare and ensure they are not being overcharged.