Common Tourist Scams in Philippines

Know these common scam patterns so you can avoid them.

Transportation

Taxi meter tampering and flat-rate refusal

Drivers claim the meter is "broken," rig it to run fast, or simply refuse to use it and quote a flat fare — sometimes several times the real metered price — especially on routes from tourist landmarks or the airport.

How to avoid it: Insist on the meter before the car moves, or use Grab (fare is fixed and shown upfront in the app) instead of hailing on the street. If a driver refuses the meter, get out and find another cab.

Transportation

Jeepney and tricycle overcharging

Official jeepney and tricycle fares are cheap and fixed by route, but drivers routinely quote foreign-looking passengers several times the local rate, betting that tourists don't know the real fare board.

How to avoid it: Ask a hotel staffer or local the standard fare for your route before boarding, have small exact change ready, and pay what a local would pay — jeepney fares are typically just a handful of pesos for a short ride.

Currency Exchange

Money changer short-change ("flick and fold") trick

A stall or unofficial changer advertises an exchange rate noticeably better than banks, counts the correct amount out in front of you to build trust, then sweeps it back up, folds it, and hands over a shorted amount before you can recount.

How to avoid it: Exchange money only at banks, licensed money changers (look for a BSP registration certificate on display), or ATMs. Count any cash handed to you slowly, bill by bill, before putting it away, and walk away from any rate that seems too good to be true.

Currency Exchange

ATM and card skimming

Skimming devices and hidden pinhole cameras have repeatedly turned up on ATMs in tourist-heavy areas like Malate, Makati, and near NAIA, quietly copying card data and PINs that are later used to clone cards and drain accounts.

How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside bank branches, malls, or hotel lobbies rather than freestanding street units. Cover the keypad with your other hand while entering your PIN, wiggle the card slot to check for an overlay, and monitor your bank statements during and after the trip.

Attractions

Fake or unlicensed tour guides at Intramuros

Self-appointed "guides" approach visitors right at Fort Santiago's or Intramuros' entrance offering a cheap walking tour, collect payment upfront, deliver a thin, inaccurate spiel, then pressure for a large "tip" far exceeding the agreed price at the end.

How to avoid it: Book a guide in advance through Intramuros Administration's official tour desk or a reviewed operator, agree on the total price (explicitly including or excluding tip) before starting, and treat any unsolicited offer at the gate with skepticism.

Nightlife

"Lady drink" bar and KTV overcharging

Hostesses at girlie bars and KTV lounges befriend a customer, then a waitress offers to "buy the ladies a drink" — often a shot of tea or soda billed as alcohol at triple the normal price — with the padded tab and any service charges only revealed at the end.

How to avoid it: Ask for a printed menu with prices before ordering anything, confirm whether a service charge or "lady drink" policy applies, and settle the bill item-by-item rather than accepting a lump-sum total at the end.