List of 7 Most Common Tourist Scams in England
1. Taxi Overcharging Scams
Overcharging by taxi scams is globally prevalent, where taxi drivers charge extra from tourists, much more than the stipulated fare. To avoid this scam, tourists can choose to book Uber or other online car hire applications where transparency is maintained in terms of fair calculations.
Furthermore, if no substitutes are available other than booking a taxi, ensure that the driver turns on the metre in order to calculate the fare.
Common around: London and Liverpool
2. Restaurant & Pub Scams
One of the popular scams in England, restaurant or bar scams, can be carried on by the reputed ones. Here, mostly the bartenders or attendants charge extra for drinks and food or even sometimes alter orders just to increase the price. Tourists visiting any part of England must be careful and ask for a menu card before ordering any food.
In addition, you can check the prices of food and drinks at your preferred place online well in advance to avoid any confusion.
Common around: Across the country
3. Fake Theatre Tickets
If you are visiting Leicester Square in London, beware of the scammers who try to sell fake theatre tickets to tourists. To avoid this, buying the tickets from the licensed box offices or the theatre booth is better.
Common around: London
4. Pickpocketing & Bag-Cutting Scammers
Pickpocketing and thieves who will cut your bag or snatch any valuables are prevalent in London and other famous cities in England. Moreover, while visiting any tourist place in the country, be extra cautious if you are carrying any valuables like cash, a camera, or expensive mobile phones.
Common around: All over the country
5. Counterfeit Designer Product
Being tagged as one of the famous frauds in England, different store owners sell fake designer products, which mostly include bags, wallets, shoes, belts, and other accessories. The replica of the original designers' bags and shoes are extremely similar,, so tourists are fooled by it.
Hence, before visiting any store selling designers' products, verify the original brand's logo and tagline from the internet.
Common around: Manchester, Liverpool, and London
6. Borrowing Phone Scam
Scammers often borrow phones from tourists by giving them a sob story like the loss of their phone or a bag being stolen. While you trust them with your phone, these people often run away with the device, which becomes a challenge to trace them later.
Hence, if you offer your phone to any strangers, ensure they stay within your sight.
Common around: Across the country
7. Fake Tickets of Music Venues & Festivals
It is the dream of many to visit music or cultural venues or attend the festivals of their favourite artists. However, scammers take advantage of this excitement and sell fake tickets for the show, stating that these are the last set of tickets left for the show.
You can avoid this by firmly saying no or ignoring the stranger and verifying the authenticity of the show online.
Common around: London and Manchester
