Unveiling Las Vegas' top 10 tourist scams

Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, drawing over 40 million visitors per year. But amidst the glitz and glamour, scammers lurk around every corner trying to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. Don’t let them ruin your Vegas vacation!

A Deep Dive into 10 Major Scams in Las Vegas

Key points about the blog

1. The Fake Ticket Trap:

Spot: Be on guard against folks selling cheap tickets on the streets. These tickets might look good, but they’re often fake or for shows that don’t even exist.
React: Politely say no and buy tickets from the proper places, like the official ticket booths.
Avoid: Stick to buying tickets from trusted sources, like the official websites or real ticket sellers.

2. The Long Taxi Detour:

Spot: Some taxi drivers might take the long way around to make your fare more expensive, especially from the airport to your hotel.
React: Ask the driver to take the shortest route politely. If they don’t, remember their name and license number.
Avoid: Use navigation apps to know the right way to your destination and make sure the driver follows it.

3. The Street Performer Photo Trick:

Spot: Watch out for street performers who dress up as characters and want to take pictures with you. They might ask for a big tip afterward.
React: If you’re not interested, just say no to the photo. Or agree on a fair tip before taking the picture.
Avoid: Decide on the tip amount before the picture and have small bills handy.

Spot: You might be offered free stuff like show tickets if you listen to a presentation about time-shares. But these presentations can get pushy.
React: Politely say no and don’t give out your personal info.
Avoid: Only go to these presentations if you’re really interested and have done your research.

5. The Gambling Guru Game:

Spot: Be careful if someone promises you a surefire way to win at gambling for a fee.
React: Politely say no and remember gambling is about luck, not tricks.
Avoid: Don’t share personal info, and stick to your own gambling budget.

6. Hotel Room Theft

Spot: Unauthorized room charges, missing items upon returning. Verify billing frequently.
React: Report unauthorized charges, get new room if compromised. Don’t accuse staff without proof.
Avoid: Use room safes for valuables. Double check door is locked.

7. The Club Promoter Trap:

Spot: People claiming to be club promoters might promise you special entry but then ask for a lot of money at the door.
React: Politely decline and check out real clubs and promoters ahead of time.
Avoid: Make sure to double-check entrance fees with the club before agreeing to anything.

8. The Surprise Hotel Resort Fee:

Spot: Some hotels might add extra fees to your bill for things you thought were already included.
React: Politely talk to them if you didn’t know about the fee and ask for a breakdown of charges.
Avoid: Ask about any extra fees when you book your room and read all the details.

9. The Free Prize Trick:

Spot: If someone says you’ve won a prize but need to pay to get it, be cautious.
React: Ignore messages or hang up calls like this.
Avoid: Real prizes don’t ask for money upfront.

10. Strip Club Scams

Spot: Pushy touts try luring you in, opaque pricing, forced tipping, credit card fraud.
React: Politely decline, don’t give out personal info, pay cash for small amounts only.
Avoid: Avoid seedy looking establishments. Research club reputations online beforehand.

How to Get Help:

If you run into a scam, here’s where you can get help:

Call the Las Vegas Police at 702-828-3111.
Report scams to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.
Get in touch with the Nevada Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division.

Learn more about biggest travel scams at Las Vegas in this video

Make sure to check out our other scam guides.

Exploring Las Vegas should be full of excitement and fun, not tricks and traps. By knowing about these top 10 scams, you can make sure your trip is awesome and safe. Stay alert, stay smart, and enjoy all the wonders this dazzling city has to offer.