Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

All Topics about Winston-Salem All Cities in United States

1. Faux Tour Guides

Unlicensed individuals offering tours for a fee. They may provide misleading or false information.

Licensing Requirements: Only licensed guides are allowed to conduct tours in Winston-Salem.
Reviews and Recommendations: Always check reviews and recommendations before booking a tour guide.
Ask for ID: Legitimate guides will have proper identification.

Scammers tamper with parking meters to make it appear that they are already paid. They then approach parked cars and demand payment.

Check Parking Meter: Always check the parking meter before leaving your vehicle.
Pay at authorized stations: Only pay for parking at authorized payment stations.
Avoid Unattended Cars: Never leave your vehicle unattended in a parking space that appears to be occupied by someone claiming to be a parking attendant.

Sellers offering counterfeit goods at lower prices. These items are often of poor quality and may be illegal.

Legal Ramifications: Purchasing counterfeit goods can result in legal consequences.
Quality Check: Inspect items carefully before making a purchase to ensure quality.
Shop at Trusted Retailers: Avoid purchasing goods from unauthorized street vendors or online marketplaces.

Individuals or groups posing as charities to solicit donations. They may not be legitimate organizations.

Check Charity Legitimacy: Verify the legitimacy of a charity before making a donation.
Avoid Street Solicitation: Do not make donations to individuals or groups soliciting on the street.
Donate through Official Channels: Make donations through official charity websites or by contacting them directly.

Criminals placing devices on ATMs to steal your card information and PIN.

Choose Well-Lit and Busy Areas: Always use ATMs located in well-lit, busy areas.
Inspect ATM for Skimming Devices: Inspect the ATM before using it for any suspicious devices or tampering.
Protect Your PIN: Cover your hand when entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing.

Individuals posing as government officials who claim to have found a lost document belonging to you. They then request personal information or money.

Contact Authorities Directly: If you lose an important document, contact the appropriate authority directly.
Verify Identity: Always verify the identity of anyone who claims to be a government official.
Never Share Personal Information: Do not share personal information with strangers or unverified individuals.

Cybercriminals creating fake Wi-Fi hotspots to steal your personal information.

Secure Connections: Only connect to secure, password-protected networks.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Data: Do not conduct sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi networks.
Use a VPN: Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your online activity.

Sellers offering fake event tickets for popular concerts or sports games.

Check Ticket Source: Only purchase tickets from authorized sources.
Inspect Tickets Carefully: Inspect the ticket for any discrepancies before making a purchase.
Contact Venue or Event Organizer: Verify the authenticity of tickets with the venue or event organizer.

Taxis overcharging passengers or taking longer routes to increase fares.

Use Prepaid Taxis: Consider using prepaid taxi services to avoid overcharges.
Ask for Receipt: Always request a receipt from the taxi driver.
Check Fare Before Starting Journey: Check the fare before starting your journey and confirm it with the driver.

High-pressure sales tactics to get you to attend a timeshare presentation and later pressure you into purchasing.

Know Your Rights: Understand your rights as a consumer before attending any timeshare presentations.
Do Not Provide Personal Information: Do not provide personal information during unsolicited calls or emails.
Walk Away Politely: If you feel pressured, do not hesitate to walk away politely and report the incident.

Car rental companies charging for damages that were not your fault or offering insurance coverage that is unnecessary.

Inspect Vehicle Thoroughly: Thoroughly inspect the rental car for any existing damage before driving away.
Review Insurance Options Carefully: Carefully review insurance options offered by the rental company and consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary.
Document Any Damage: Document any damage to the vehicle before signing the rental agreement and notify the rental company immediately.

Performers asking for money after putting on a performance, or claiming that the money is for charity.

Ask Before Giving: Always ask before giving money to street performers.
Verify Charity Legitimacy: If the performance is for a charity, verify its legitimacy before donating.
Consider Giving Small Amounts: If you choose to give money, consider giving small amounts instead of large bills.

Airport staff charging for additional baggage fees that were not previously disclosed.

Check Airline Bag Policies: Always check the airline's baggage policies before traveling.
Weigh and Measure Your Baggage: Weigh and measure your luggage to ensure it adheres to airline size and weight restrictions.
Ask for Receipts: Always request a receipt when paying baggage fees.

Online accommodations that appear legitimate but do not deliver on their promises, or charge additional fees.

Book with Reputable Websites: Book your accommodation through reputable websites like Airbnb or Booking.com.
Read Reviews: Always read reviews of the accommodation before making a booking.
Contact Host Directly: Directly contact the host or hotel to confirm your reservation and ask any questions you may have.

Receiving counterfeit money as change in a store or restaurant.

Inspect Money Carefully: Inspect all received money carefully for any discrepancies.
Count Your Change: Always count your change to ensure it matches the amount you were supposed to receive.
Report Suspicious Transactions: Report any suspicious transactions to store management or local authorities.