9 Tourism Scams and How to Avoid Them in Philippines

Clear and sunny weather, white sandy beaches, and blue waters are a few adjectives we can use to describe the Philippines. This country’s also known for its lively festivals. Not to mention the friendliness and warm hospitality Filipinos show to everyone who mingles with them. There are various reasons why tourists should consider traveling to the Philippines. But, like other countries, this beautiful archipelago is also plagued with scams every traveler should be wary of. While planning a family trip with schoolers to the Philippines, read about these common tourist scams. Stephanie, a mother of two based in the Philippines, has cited the top 9 common tourism scams and how to avoid them.

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Top 9 Common Tourism Scams and How to Avoid Them in the Philippines

1. Tanim Bala Scam

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Do you notice some passengers wrapping their luggage in plastic in Philippine airports? You might think these people are paranoid, but this is mainly due to the “Tanim Bala” scam that became a hot topic in 2015.

Aka Bullet-Planting scam, this modus happens as bullets are planted inside the luggage of an unknowing passenger. When airport authorities find this “bullet” in the X-ray machine, they will call your attention. In exchange for not pressing any charges, they will ask for a “fee.” If you’re gullible enough, you’ll pay for the fee they’re asking so you won’t miss your flight.

Though this fraud isn’t as common as before, some passengers still experience this scheme. To avoid facing this situation, be on guard constantly. If possible, lock your baggage with those cute padlocks you can buy in hardware stores. You can also wrap your bag with clear plastic as a safety measure, and this is nifty, especially if your luggage isn’t the hard case type.

When going through the x-ray machines, don’t allow anyone to touch your belongings. Avoid touching others’ luggage as well. When your bag’s being inspected, keep a watchful eye and stay calm. In case you find yourself facing this situation, don’t panic. Approach the airport police and report the incident straight away. If they insist you pay them up, call your lawyer if you have one, especially if they won’t allow you to board your flight.

2. Familiar Face Scam

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Filipinos are generally friendly to everyone. This is especially true when they meet tourists, as more than half of the population speaks English. While this can be comforting, be wary. This overfriendliness can be used to extort money through the “Familiar Face” scam.

A stranger suddenly approaches you from the name itself and claims to know you. They may say they have met you at the hotel you’re staying, or you’re his distant relative. You then try to remember who this person is. But, as you’re new to the country, you don’t want to be rude. You then talk with that person, which increases your trust in him.

If you’re still wary, he will tell a story about you spending time with them in your younger years. They’re compelling as they’ll pinpoint fond childhood memories. Now that they gained your trust and attention, they will offer to tour you around the area. When you accept this offer, you’re now prone to having a drink spiked. Worst case scenario, he will bring you somewhere secluded and rob you of your money and valuables.

If a stranger approaches you, ignore them. If you can’t avoid talking with a stranger, be wary of his motives. Give the person a small amount of cash if you cannot get rid of them. The important thing is you escape the situation unscathed.

3. Peddler Scams in Tourist Areas

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Where there are tourists, there go the peddlers. These peddlers know that tourists are ALWAYS looking for souvenirs. Of course, you’d want to have some souvenirs of your time here in the Philippines.

These peddlers will then scout the area for tourists, especially foreigners. They will approach you while you’re strolling or chilling out and show you the items they’re selling. They’ll insist you buy even if you tell them you’re not interested. Eventually, you get exasperated and buy that item for the price they’re asking. Only to find out there’s a souvenir shop a few meters away selling the item you bought at half the price.

You can brush off that experience with the “I can earn back the money” mentality, but it’s a hard pill to swallow. To avoid falling victim to this scheme, avoid buying expensive items as souvenirs. You can always find authentic souvenirs that won’t break your pocket. If you do buy from that peddler, haggle for the price. Usually, they will accept your offer, especially if they claim it as their first sale of the day.

But, if I were you, I’ll find legit souvenir shops in the area. You will easily spot them as they are housed in a specific spot, and many people gather there. While you’re at it, gather intel as well as to who among the peddlers is honest.

4. Pickpocketing Scam

The majority of Filipinos are honest and decent citizens. If we see something that isn’t ours, whether money, a gadget, or other valuable objects, we do our best to return it. But, like other countries, a few prefer to earn through fraudulent means. This is where the pickpocketing scam comes in.

Pickpocketing is the most common fraud anywhere in the Philippines. It is so common that even when you’re riding a jeepney, there’s a chance you’ll be pickpocketed. Even children as young as 9 are master pickpocketers already. They will pose as beggars and distract you with their constant begging. While you try fending them off, the child’s teammates will get your money or gadget from your bag or pocket. When the deed’s done, they’ll leave you be. Later on, you’ll realize you have missing items.

Though it is common, you can avoid being the target of pickpockets. One way is to avoid staying in crowded areas. Avoid getting sidetracked and engaging in a conversation with strangers. Secure your valuables if you can’t help but talk with that person. If you’re wearing a backpack, place it in front of you. The same thing goes if you’re wearing sling bags or shoulder bags. Hence, you should wear belt bags to access your belongings while maintaining visibility easily.

If you have enough budget, buy an anti-theft bag. It is an investment for a stress-free vacation in the Philippines (or anywhere in the world!)

And, as the most common target of pickpockets is cash, bring as minimal cash as possible. If possible, don’t place all your money in your wallet. One trick my dad has told me is to put some bills inside your socks, the soles of your shoes, or any secret pocket you may have. This way, if you’re pickpocketed, you still have money to take you home.

5. Taxi Scams

Taxis are one of the most convenient modes of transportation if you’re visiting the Philippines. Though you can book a Grab (which works like Uber) or rent a car, some don’t have the luxury to do either. But, while they’re convenient and cheap, there are various taxi scams you can encounter if you’re a tourist.

a. Broken Meter

The “Broken Meter” scam is just one of them. Instead of turning on the taxi meter, the driver will say it’s broken and ask for at least a Php 500 (about $10) fixed rate. Or, he’ll reason out that traffic’s bad and that it’s “cheaper” if you pay for a fixed rate instead (again, the meter here is off).

b. Batingting

“Batingting” or meter tampering is also common. Here, the taxi’s meter has been tampered with, which makes it charge higher rates due to inaccurate readings. But, as it’s required by law for all taxi meters to be sealed, this scam has become less common nowadays.

c. Overcharging

The third taxi scam you should know about is overcharging. Drivers assume that tourists don’t know the shortcuts to their destination, and they will then take you through a longer route or even in circles so that they can charge higher.

d. Taxi Spray

Probably the most dangerous is the “Taxi Spray” scam. This scam usually happens when the tourist is alone. The driver will cover his nose and mouth with a towel and spray an unknown substance. This will then make you disoriented or dizzy. He will then take you to a secluded area, possibly meet up with his accomplices, and rob you of your belongings. Worst case scenario, you’ll get assaulted and dropped off the road.

To avoid these scams, ensure the driver understands where you’re headed and that you’ve seen him turn on the meter. Also, take a picture of the taxi’s body number, plate number, and driver’s ID to send to your family or friends. Follow this up with a call, so your family knows the driver’s the last person you’re with if anything happens to you.

And I cannot stress this enough. Never sleep inside a taxi, no matter how tired you are, especially if you’re alone. Chances are the driver will take advantage of the situation and do any of those I’ve mentioned above.

The Slow traveler has a complete description of these Philippine taxi scams if you prefer a detailed account.

6. ATM Scams

ATMs are the most convenient means of withdrawing liquid cash from the bank, and this is especially true if you don’t have a credit card, a mobile wallet, or other cashless payment modes. While they’re convenient, they’re also the most common scam spots.

Card skimming is the most common of these ATM scams. An undetectable camera is installed in the ATM to capture your card details. The scammers then use your card details for physical and online transactions. You’ll then be surprised with the bank notifications you’ll receive for the “purchases” you’ve made.

The distraction method is also another ATM scam that victimizes tourists. While you’re busy withdrawing cash, a seemingly helpful stranger taps your shoulder. He then says that you dropped something from your wallet. Once you look for the “dropped objects,” another person will snatch the cash and card from the ATM. But, as ATMs nowadays have CCTVs, this scam has become less prevalent.

To avoid these scams, check your surroundings before withdrawing. If possible, bring a friend with you to become your lookout. Cover the keypad with your non-dominant hand. Transact only in ATMs inside shopping malls or banks as they’re more secure. Avoid withdrawing at night, especially if the ATM nearest you is in an isolated and dark area.

Photo Source: Leopoldo Fernandez on Pexels

7. WiFi Scams

Technology makes it more convenient to do bank transactions from your mobile phone. But, to access your account, you must connect to WiFi. Good thing most Philippine establishments have public WiFi connections already.

But, public WiFis are not as heaven-sent as you think. As most of them are unsecured, hackers can easily access your personal and account details. Before you know it, your bank account’s wiped clean of the hard-earned money you have.

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Also, logging into your Facebook account using free public WiFi can jeopardize personal info. The hackers can access information from your phone and use them for online purchases, identity theft, or, worse, blackmail.

Hence, avoid connecting to free WiFi regardless of the establishment you’re going to. Buy a pocket WiFi beforehand. Buying a local network sim is another option to have mobile data, and make sure to register the sim first. Invest in a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt all your online activity and data.

8. Money Changer Scams

Who says magic tricks like sleight of hand can only be used in magic shows and birthday parties? If you’re a tourist in the Philippines, know that this seemingly harmless trick can be used against you.

If you’re short on Philippine Peso bills, you only need to visit a money changer nearest you. There are lots of these in the country. But be wary of those money changers advertising a very generous exchange rate.

Having your money changed at the bank or by a licensed money changer is safer. But, as they offer lower exchange rates, tourists prefer to go to smaller stalls with higher rates instead.

So, here’s what happens. Once you’re good with the exchange rate and have verified its accuracy, the vendor counts the cash on the counter. He will then sweep the Peso bills to the back and tie them with a rubber band. Without you knowing, the vendor has pushed the notes to the floor or through a slit on the benchtop.

To avoid falling victim to this scam, count the money you give. Even if you have to untie the rubber band, take this extra precaution to ensure you’re given the right amount. If possible, avoid transacting with small money changers. Moneymax has listed the best Philippine money changers if a bank isn’t near your location.

9. Budol-Budol Gang

The term “budol” may have a lighter note nowadays (referring to making impulsive purchases). But it usually refers to the infamous “budol-budol gang.”

Unlike the usual gangs, this “budol-budol gang” specializes in swindling. They use anywhere from trickery, fraud, or hypnosis to persuade their victims to hand them their money or valuables.

There was even this incident in 2019 wherein a local in Negros Oriental was lured into becoming a foundation manager. The victim was convinced to ride in the suspect’s vehicle, meeting a few more accomplices along the way. Eventually, she ended up retrieving jewelry as collateral for the money. The only genuine paper bill inside the paper bag handed to her was the top part; the rest were cut-out printouts.

Though most victims feel hypnotized, there’s a post on Reddit about an odorless chemical used by this gang to make their victims more agreeable. Whether true or not, tourists have higher chances of being victimized as they stand out from the crowd.

Knowing this, it’s best never to talk with strangers. Even if they’re seemingly harmless, put boundaries. Listen to your instincts always. If you feel the stranger is enticing you with a “reward,” that’s too good to be true, end that conversation. Don’t keep your guard down even if they tell you a sob story. Also, avoid wearing jewelry of any kind. Even a genuine gold ring on your finger is enough to attract their attention. Learning about the traits of a budol-prone person is also another way to help you avoid being swindled.

Wherever you go, Be Vigilant!

There are still a lot of other tourism scams happening in the Philippines that tourists should be avoid. But don’t let these scams stop you from visiting a country with beautiful beaches and friendly people. You’ll miss out on the tremendous Filipino culture that has made several tourists revisit the Philippines.

Even first-world countries also have a lot of scams going on. So, wherever you plan to spend your vacation, be vigilant. Avoid talking with strangers and ask for help if possible, from uniformed personnel. Keep your belongings close as well, not leaving them unattended. Have a friend or family member go with you, even if you’re familiar with the place, to avoid being a target of scammers.

If possible, read about the Philippines, its people, and the establishments you’re going to beforehand. This helps you blend in with the people, lessening the chances of scammers targetting you. There’s a post in Quora by Allana Alberto about what every tourist should know about the Philippines.

Lastly, learn a few common Tagalog phrases. This will help you better communicate with the Filipinos and have a better time in the country. Ling App listed 500 common Tagalog phrases travelers should learn before traveling to the Philippines. After all, the Philippines is a fun country to rest and relax in with your loved ones!

About Me

Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials and possibilities with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.

9 Tourism Scams and How to Avoid Them in Philippines – 2023