Scams to Stay Away in the Philippines

by Ronel Forbes

August 5, 2022

The Philippines is a stunning country full with natural beauty, adventure, and cultural exploration. However, as with most travel places, there is the possibility of danger and criminality.

You can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime and enjoy this lovely nation safely if you pay attention to your surroundings, avoid risky locations, and take adequate safety precautions.

In the Philippines, scams are common, and local con artists always seem to be one step ahead of foreigners. Here are the most common scams to avoid.

The Money Changer
ATM Fraud and Card Skimming
Bag of Bullets
Wifi Access in Public
Medicinal Plants
A Face You Know
For Love in Filipino
Drivers of Taxis

The Money Changing Scam

Tourists and balikbayans (Filipino expats) are often drawn to questionable foreign exchange money changing enterprises in obscure locations by enormous brightly colored signs promoting exchange rates that are better than those offered by banks, shopping malls, and hotels. These businesses will sometimes deploy touts to entice naive customers.

This case fits the adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

The money changer will count out the Philippine Piso in front of you and employ a sleight of hand trick to make some notes vanish while doing so. Some will claim they only have small denomination notes, count them in small batches in front of you, and return them with a few falling out when they bring you the total.

Other times, they will count the money so slowly that you lose patience and ask for the money, unaware that you will not get all of it.

Always utilize recognized exchange places in well-lit areas with clearly stated rates, hotels, malls, or buy from a bank. Before you leave the exchange, count your money.

ATM Fraud and Card Skimming

Not all ATM machines are reliable. Others have devices attached to them by thieves to collect your information for their own shopping binge. Even merchants are in on it, taking their time issuing you a receipt while copying down your information.

Notify your bank of your travel plans, and keep an eye out for any unexpected transactions before, during, and after your trip.

Bullet in a Bag

Airport employees place live bullets inside luggage in this scam; when the customer passes their bag through the x-ray scanner, it alerts airport staff, prompting a search and accusations of having live ammo and firearms. This can take hours, and a bribe is frequently needed to make things go away.

Make sure your bags are properly locked, use bag covers/wrapping if necessary, and keep an eye on your luggage at all times.

Public Wi-Fi is Free

Free Wi-Fi networks are not always secure, and hackers may gain access to your passwords and financial data.

Before using a Wi-Fi service, be sure you know what it’s called. Many airports offer free WiFi, but check with an information desk if you’re unsure. If you’re going to buy something online, check sure the site is secure and encrypted by looking for https:// at the start of the URL.

Better yet, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt traffic from your computer to other sites, or avoid using a public network for online banking. Always have antivirus and firewall software installed on your laptop/iPad/etc.

Scam of Drug Planting

Laglag Droga has been described as a problem for travelers (drug planting). Drugs are planted in the luggage of unsuspecting victims, or a greeting flower necklace loaded with drugs is placed around their neck by a fraudster wearing gloves in the airport.

Always inspect your luggage for narcotics, and secure your belongings with padlocks, bag covers, and other means. And as for those flower necklaces, gently decline.
Scam of drug planting

Always inspect your luggage for narcotics, and secure your belongings with padlocks, bag covers, and other means. And as for those flower necklaces, gently decline.

Scam of the Free Tour

Someone approaching a visitor and pretending to recognize them, frequently under the pretense of working at the hotel they’re staying at, is one of the most common cons. It just so happens that when they “bump into” them, it will be their day off.

They’ll offer a complimentary tour and show the tourist around. Don’t fall for it; it usually leads to robbery. This scam is common in Manila, so be on the lookout.

Love Scams

Locals woo tourists visiting the Philippines, either in person or online, with promises of love. What they truly want is money and a quick way to obtain citizenship in another nation through marriage.

Red flags include declaring their love for you immediately, requesting money for their family/flights/education, and making frequent demands for money. Never give or transmit money over the internet.

Scams involving Taxi Drivers

To avoid being ripped off, make sure to use the meter. Taxi drivers are not permitted to solicit at airports, therefore if you are contacted, the driver is not authorized.

Avoid hailing cabs that are already full of people because this raises the risk of theft.

Thoughts

Traveling to new areas for fun and adventure necessitates a safety plan for you and your companion. If complications arise, you will be well prepared to address the situation and your travel commitments will be less stressful.

MGS Insurance Agency is a properly licensed insurance agency of Mapfre Insular, Malayan Insurance, Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc., among the Philippines’ major insurance providers.