offline scams · 6 min read
Top 10 Scams to Watch Out for in Manchester
Learn how to spot and avoid the top 10 scams in Manchester, a popular tourist destination in the UK. Stay safe and enjoy your trip!
Manchester is a vibrant city in northwest England, known for its arts, culture, music and sports. It attracts over 1 million international visitors every year. Unfortunately, scammers often target tourists. This article discusses the top 10 scams in Manchester and how to spot, react to, and avoid them.
A Bit About Manchester
With a population of over 500,000, Manchester is the largest city in northwest England. It has a rich history as one of the key birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. Today, Manchester is considered a global city, with strengths in business, media, education, culture, art and sports.
Manchester attracts over 1 million international visitors annually. It’s especially popular with Chinese and American tourists. The city’s main attractions include the Manchester Art Gallery, the Imperial War Museum North, Old Trafford stadium and the Manchester Arndale shopping centre.
Top 10 Manchester Scams
1. Ticket Scams
How to Spot: Someone approaches you claiming to have spare tickets for sold-out events or offers discounted tickets. The tickets may look authentic but turn out to be fake or previously used.
How to React: Politely decline and walk away. Purchase tickets only through official channels like the venue’s box office.
How to Avoid: Book accommodations close to the venue to buy tickets onsite. For online purchases, ensure the site is secure and verified.
How to Get Help: Report the scammer to police, trading standards or the event organizer. Check if your credit card provider can reverse the charges.
2. Taxi Meter Rigging
How to Spot: The taxi meter races faster than it should or the fare seems unusually high for the distance.
How to React: Note the taxi license number and driver details. Refuse to pay the suspect fare and threaten to call the police. Pay only a reasonable fare.
How to Avoid: Use licensed Black Cabs or a ride-hailing app. Confirm the fare estimate beforehand. Avoid unmarked taxis.
How to Get Help: Report overcharging to Manchester City Council licensing office. File a case in small claims court if significant overpayment was made.
3. Pickpockets and Bag Snatchers
How to Spot: People who jostle or crowd you. A distraction or someone pointing to spill something on you. Missing purse, wallet, phone or valuables.
How to React: Shout for help immediately. Report stolen cards to your bank. File a police report for insurance claims.
How to Avoid: Stay alert in crowds. Keep valuables in front pockets or a hidden money belt under your clothes. Carry cross-body purses securely.
How to Get Help: Notify your bank and cell provider to freeze accounts and track devices. Consult your travel insurance and local police.
4. Fake Charity Petitions
How to Spot: Someone with a clipboards stops you and asks for a donation to a charity you’ve never heard of. They may get pushy.
How to React: Decline politely. Do not provide any personal or payment information.
How to Avoid: Avoid engaging with petitioners. Donate only via reputable charities’ official websites, never cash or on the street.
How to Get Help: Verify questionable charities via Charity Commission. Report pushy fraudsters to police and Trading Standards.
5. Currency Exchange Scams
How to Spot: Bad exchange rates and fees at currency exchange offices or kiosks targeting tourists.
How to React: Refuse the transaction. Calculate fair rates online and find better options nearby.
How to Avoid: Change only what you need for the day at the airport. Otherwise use ATMs or your credit/debit card for the best rates.
How to Get Help: Check exchange rates online to contest unfair charges. Report to Trading Standards.
6. Fake Designer Goods
How to Spot: Vendors selling luxury branded goods on the street at suspiciously cheap prices. Logos may be misspelled. Quality is shoddy.
How to React: Walk away. Do not buy counterfeits which fund criminal activity.
How to Avoid: Buy brand merchandise only from reputable stores, the brand’s boutique or website. Know common counterfeited brands like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
How to Get Help: Reporting street sellers to police may be ineffective. Simply avoid buying from them.
7. Card Skimming
How to Spot: Additional card readers, pinhole cameras or other suspicious attachments to ATM machines and payment terminals. Unauthorized transactions on your account.
How to React: Immediately contact your bank to freeze accounts and reverse fraudulent charges. File a police report.
How to Avoid: Cover the keypad when entering PINs. Check for tampering before using any card reader. Use contactless or mobile payments when possible.
How to Get Help: Your bank will assist with cancelling cards, recuperating funds and monitoring for further suspicious activity.
8. Free WiFi Scams
How to Spot: Public WiFi names like “Free Airport WiFi” which are fake hotspots set up by criminals. Networks asking you to enter credit card details.
How to React: Avoid connecting to any uncertain hotspots. Never enter sensitive information over public WiFi. Disconnect and use mobile data instead. Enable VPN connections.
How to Avoid: Delete saved public WiFi networks as you travel to avoid auto-connections. Use a personal hotspot or Virtual Private Network app on your device.
How to Get Help: Scan devices with security software to detect malware or stolen data from a scam hotspot. Change account passwords as a precaution.
9. Spilled Food/Drink Scam
How to Spot: Someone purposefully bumps into you, spilling food or drink on your clothes. Then insists on paying for the dry cleaning. This is done to get your address and other personal details.
How to React: Decline payment. Do not provide any personal information.
How to Avoid: Be cautious when eating/drinking and walking in crowded areas. Politely decline compensation offers - dry cleaning won’t be necessary.
How to Get Help: Report any persistent scammers to police. Give them minimal personal details like a temporary visitor address.
10. Rental Scams
How to Spot: Listings for apartments or vacation rentals significantly below market rate. Landlords asking for upfront wire transfers without a proper lease.
How to React: Demand your money back if possible. Report the listing to the site/agency it was posted on. File a fraud claim with your bank.
How to Avoid: Book only on reputable sites that offer fraud protection. Meet the landlord and get a signed lease before any payment.
How to Get Help: Notify police and trading standards. Check if travel insurance covers fraudulent rentals. Consult your embassy for guidance and temporary accommodations.
Make sure to check out our other scam guides.
Manchester is generally a very safe city, but tourists need to be alert as scammers see them as easy targets. Use caution when approached by strangers, especially around major attractions. Verify charities before donating. Be discreet with valuables, cash, cards and personal information. Following these tips will help you steer clear of the most common Manchester scams and enjoy your time in this vibrant city.