TOP 20 PHILIPPINES SCAMS To Beware Of!

Rip-offs, Tourist Traps, and Scams You Need to Watch out for in the Philippines

“Traveling to the Philippines is an incredible experience, but being aware of common Philippines scams can help ensure your trip is as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible. From taxi tricks to fake tour offers, this guide will help you spot and avoid scams, so you can focus on exploring the stunning islands and vibrant culture of this beautiful country.”

Don’t get me wrong, scams are everywhere and not just in the Philippines. I have covered most scams in my website and since I live in Rome, there are lots of Scams in Rome…and How to Avoid Them that you should be aware of before visiting Italy.

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There are many reasons people love traveling, and sometimes it has less to do with where the place is and more to do with what you can experience there.

The Philippines is a place with great natural beauty. I am talking about the turquoise beaches in Palawan and Boracay to the lush Banaue Rice Terraces here! That means world-class diving, hiking, and surfing. As a tourist destination spot, just these locations place you within an environment little removed from a slice of paradise.

And then there is the Spanish, American, and Asian influences…basically, the ability to travel to a place with English, Spanish, and Chinese and Japanese spoken with ease when interacting with the locals. Want to know about your travel options without someone leading you by the nose like you are some cattle to the slaughter? Want to experience great food without paying like 3x for the same at that spot right next door to the one you are being taken to? Right there, you have eliminated like half of the problems you usually encounter when traveling to some destination spot where you need a translation software or trusty travel guide to be the go-between for you.

Throw in the vibrant festivals, historic landmarks like Intramuros, and delicious fusion cuisine, and you have the full package of what a tourist wants in the bag when planning to go out to a foreign land.

“Mabuhay!”

Common Scams, Rip-offs, Frauds, and Tourist Scams You WILL Encounter in the Philippines and Need to Watch Out For

1. Taxi Overcharging and Fixed Fares

• Incident: At Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a traveler named John Timmons reported being charged PHP 1,500 for a trip to Makati City in 2023, a ride that should typically cost PHP 400-600.
• Where: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and popular tourist areas like Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
• Remedy: Use official airport taxis or ride-hailing apps like Grab to get out of such Philippines scams. Decline taxis that refuse to use the meter and report them to airport authorities as part of your initial contribution to the Filipino way of life.

2. Tampered Taxi Meters

• Incident: In Makati, a taxi ride that should cost PHP 200 turned out to be PHP 700 due to a manipulated meter. The tourist noticed the meter moving abnormally fast.
• Where: Around shopping malls like Greenbelt and Ayala Center.
• Remedy: Be aware of approximate fares beforehand to get out of such Philippines scams. Exit the taxi if you notice the meter running too quickly and report the vehicle’s plate number to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

3. Longer Routes

• Incident: A visitor heading to SM Mall of Asia from NAIA noted being taken through EDSA, a congested highway, doubling the travel time and fare.
• Where: Metro Manila’s traffic-heavy areas like EDSA and C5.
• Remedy: Use GPS navigation to track the route and inform the driver if they deviate unnecessarily. Use ride-hailing apps where routes are predefined. It is easy to get out of such Philippines scams by simply keeping an eye out.

4. Money-Changing Scams

• Incident: A money changer in Ermita gave a tourist PHP 45,000 instead of the agreed PHP 50,000 after quickly recounting the money and distracting the customer.
• Where: Ermita and Malate in Manila.
• Remedy: Always count your money in front of the seller to get out of such Philippines scams. Opt for banks or authorized money changers in malls.

5. Counterfeit Currency

• Incident: A traveler in Divisoria Market received fake PHP 1,000 bills after exchanging money with a street-side vendor.
• Where: Divisoria and Quiapo.
• Remedy: Inspect each bill carefully. Learn the security features of Philippine currency, such as the watermark and holograms to get out of such Philippines scams.

6. Fake Tour Packages

• Incident: A group of Korean tourists booked an island-hopping tour in Palawan through Facebook. Upon arrival, they found the operator didn’t exist.
• Where: Online promotions targeting Palawan and Boracay.
• Remedy: This is one of the easiest of the Philippines scams to beat because you should be laying to groundworks while at home. Verify the legitimacy of tour companies through reviews and accreditation with the Department of Tourism.

7. “Tanim-Bala” Scam

• Incident: Lane Michael White, an American missionary, was detained at NAIA in 2015 when a bullet was allegedly planted in his bag. He refused to pay the PHP 30,000 bribe and took legal action.
• Where: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
• Remedy: Wrap luggage in plastic at the airport. If confronted, demand legal assistance and refuse bribes. This is a tough example among the Philippines scams to beat, but be strong and be ready for a long process of resolution rather than paying your way out of it. Remember, some scams, let alone Philippines scams, are multi-layered. You might think a ‘simple’ bribe is what they want, only for the charges to get piled up with bribery etc.

8. Fake Police Officers

• Incident: In Malate, a couple was approached by two men in police uniforms accusing them of jaywalking and demanding PHP 2,000 to “resolve” the issue.
• Where: Malate and Ermita in Manila.
• Remedy: Always ask for identification and offer to go to the nearest police station to verify their claims to get out of such Philippines scams.

9. Overpriced Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides (Kalesa)

• Incident: A kalesa ride in Intramuros charged a family PHP 2,500 for a 15-minute ride after initially quoting PHP 500.
• Where: Intramuros, Manila.
• Remedy: Negotiate the price upfront and stick to the agreed amount to get out of such Philippines scams.

10. Begging Scams

• Incident: Near Robinsons Place Manila, a woman holding a baby claimed she needed milk money, but was later seen passing the collected cash to a man.
• Where: Around malls and public parks in Manila.
• Remedy: Avoid giving money directly to get out of such Philippines scams. Support verified charities instead if you ‘have’ to.

11. Street Vendor Overpricing

• Incident: A vendor at D’Mall in Boracay sold a keychain for PHP 200, later found elsewhere for PHP 50.
• Where: D’Mall, Boracay.
• Remedy: Compare prices from multiple vendors and haggle to get out of such Philippines scams. If you are like me, the haggling might be just as fun if you know what you have to pay, making beating the price down part of the journey.

12. Fake Goods

• Incident: A shopper at Greenhills Shopping Center bought a “Rolex” for PHP 5,000, only to be later confirmed as a fake by a jeweler.
• Where: Greenhills Shopping Center and Divisoria Market.
• Remedy: Purchase branded items only from official stores is almost the only way to get out of such Philippines scams.

13. ATM Skimming

• Incident: In Cebu City, a tourist lost PHP 40,000 due to an ATM skimming device installed at a street-side ATM.
• Where: ATMs near tourist hubs in Cebu and Manila.
• Remedy: Use ATMs in well-lit, secure locations like inside banks to get out of such Philippines scams. Check for tampering on card slots if you have some experience on this, but basically ATMs near banks rather than those in stores. Basically use cash where possible rather than use some slot or till shoved in your face.

14. Fake Charity Solicitations

• Incident: At Rizal Park, a man claimed to be collecting donations for an orphanage that was later proven non-existent.
• Where: Public tourist spots like Rizal Park.
• Remedy: Request documentation from solicitors and cross-check their claims online to get out of such Philippines scams. Better yet, just don’t bother and don’t fear the pressure.

15. Overpriced Souvenirs

• Incident: A vendor near Banaue Rice Terraces sold a wooden carving for PHP 1,500, while locals revealed its real price was PHP 300.
• Where: Banaue and other tourist-heavy markets.
• Remedy: Consult locals for price ranges before purchasing to get out of such types of Philippines scams. These win because you are excited or in a rush. Take your time and even when some local tells you the price is fair, show you are ready to move on if what you pay is not less. Remember, some scams are layered, with a ‘local’ nearby to ‘confirm’ or affirm some other price for you.

16. Rent-Sangla Scam

• Incident: A rental car in Laguna was pawned off by the renter for PHP 100,000 without the owner’s knowledge.
• Where: Laguna and Cavite provinces.
• Remedy: Avoid renting vehicles to strangers without a formal agreement and background check to get out of such Philippines scams.

17. Fake Ticket Sales

• Incident: Fake concert tickets for a Coldplay event at Mall of Asia Arena were sold online, leaving buyers unable to enter.
• Where: Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum.
• Remedy: Purchase tickets only from official outlets or verified platforms to get out of such Philippines scams.

18. Inflated Restaurant Bills

• Incident: In El Nido, a beachfront restaurant charged PHP 7,000 for a seafood meal without informing the diners of additional charges.
• Where: Beachfront restaurants in Palawan and Boracay.
• Remedy: Always ask for a menu with prices before ordering to get out of such Philippines scams If you see a * anywhere next to what you want, ask what it means as if might represent a chef’s special…i.e., an egg placed on your plate that goes for an extra hundred dollars or something.

19. Fake Island-Hopping Guides

• Incident: A guide in Boracay collected payment for an island-hopping tour and vanished before the group could board the boat.
• Where: Boracay and Coron.
• Remedy: Book tours through established agencies or hotels to get out of such Philippines scams.

20. “Massage Service” Scams

• Incident: In Boracay, a masseuse charged PHP 500 for a massage but demanded PHP 2,000 for “extra services” not requested.
• Where: Along White Beach, Boracay.
• Remedy: Clarify prices upfront and avoid unlicensed masseuses to get out of such Philippines scams. That is, if you didn’t feel the massage was not worth it…This is really a grey area so…

Why Travel to the Philippines Though?

Yes!

Why go looking for trouble? Why should I go out of my way to visit some place in Asia I only hear about on the news when I could just stick to my lanes and go around Europe and America?

Well, long story short? Live a little!

Imagine how long and how hard you worked to save up, only for someone to come up to you and tell you what you can and cannot do?

Nonsense!

Did the research? Check!

Got your papers? Check!

Got the drive? Check!

Here’s the thing. You think with all those scams you see the Philippines is not safe? You could not be more wrong I you reduced your E.Q. by half and then locked the rest away before traveling. I am from Rome and the scams there – from a city over 2700 years old, are legendary. Rome has scams so old and refined that even the residents have forgotten more than they know right now. Does that stop people from coming over? Nah! Rome sees millions in tourist numbers, and that’s just the ones coming to the city of Rome itself, not the numbers for all of Italy.

So, here are some of the reasons you should not fear going to the Philippines just because there are some Philippines Scams you should be wary of.

1. Young and Vibrant Demographics

• Youthful Energy: The Philippines has a median age of approximately 25 years, making it one of the youngest populations in Southeast Asia. This youthful demographic translates to vibrant cities, lively festivals, and a thriving nightlife scene, especially in urban centers like Manila, Cebu, and Davao. More importantly, no age group is less fearful of potential Philippines Scams than this particular one.
• Tech-Savvy and Globally Connected: With its young population, the country has embraced technology, making it easy for tourists to navigate using apps, stay connected, and access information.

2. Cosmopolitan Population and Language Accessibility

• English Proficiency: The Philippines is one of the largest English-speaking nations in Asia, with English widely used in education, business, and daily interactions. Tourists find it easy to communicate, navigate, and connect with locals, eliminating typical language barriers. So if you have ever fallen for a scam revolving around language barriers, you are safer on this score. In fact, one scam I didn’t bother mentioning here is the language Philippine scams where someone inexplicably goes, “Nao habla Ingelese!”
• Cultural Diversity: As a country with over 7,641 islands, and a history full of influences from Spanish, American, Chinese, and Malay cultures, the Philippines boasts a cosmopolitan identity. This is evident in its cuisine, festivals, architecture, and even the music scene regardless of your taste. Food scams or inflated bills? Ha! The way I see it, if your heart was longing to travel, then nothing out there, be it some convoluted Philippines scams or whatever, is going to take away from the experiences you will get.
• Inclusive Tourism: Whether you’re in bustling cities or remote provinces, the local population’s friendly demeanor and ability to switch between Filipino and English ensure that tourists feel welcomed and included. Don’t let your fear of some Philippines scams get in the way of your expanding your horizons!

3. Stunning Natural Beauty

• Island Paradise: The Philippines is home to world-famous beaches like those in Boracay, Palawan (El Nido, Coron), and Cebu (Malapascua, Moalboal). These destinations are known for crystal-clear waters, white sand, and vibrant marine biodiversity. Are you a fan of the American Reality TV show, Survivor? You should know that for 4 consecutive seasons, Seasons 25, 26, 27, and 28 were all shot in the Philippines. Maybe some new-fangled Philippines scams grew out of the air and Jeff and Co. decided not to return, I don’t know. All I know is that the Philippines are an island paradise!
• Unique Landscapes: Landforms like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the Banaue Rice Terraces (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and Mayon Volcano add to the country’s allure.
• Diving and Marine Life: With over 2,000 marine species and some of the best dive spots in the world, like Tubbataha Reefs and Apo Island, the Philippines attracts diving enthusiasts from across the globe.

4. Rich Cultural Heritage and History

• Historical Influences: The Philippines’ colonial history under Spain and the United States has left a rich cultural legacy. Sites like Intramuros in Manila, Vigan’s Spanish colonial town, and Corregidor Island highlight this history. Something you should know about history and the relationship to scams like Philippines scams is this; the older and more steeped in history or culture a place is, the greater the potential for scams to grow. So it’s a pros vs. cons situation…come for the history, stay or the culture, or go for being beaten up by the cleverness.
• Festivals and Traditions: Celebrations like the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Ati-Atihan in Aklan, and Pahiyas Festival in Quezon Province showcase colorful, lively traditions that tourists love to experience.

5. Warm Filipino Hospitality

• The “Mabuhay” Spirit: Filipinos are known for their warm and welcoming demeanor. Tourists frequently note how locals go out of their way to help or make them feel at home. Something else about the Philippines you should know; the Philippines is among the world’s leading exporters of nurses. As of December 2021, over 300,000 Filipino nurses were employed abroad, constituting more than half of the country’s licensed nurses. Fear falling for some version of Philippines scams? They are already living among you and chances are you have been treated by one already!
• Sense of Community: The Filipino emphasis on family and community often extends to their treatment of visitors, creating a sense of belonging for tourists.

6. Affordable Travel

• Budget-Friendly Destination: Compared to other tourist hotspots, the Philippines offers exceptional value for money. Accommodations, food, and transport are generally affordable, allowing travelers to enjoy luxurious experiences without breaking the bank. If you fear traveling because of some Philippines scams related to travel or accommodations, fear not; the systems already in place are advanced and curated enough you’d have to have left half your E.Q. at home to fall for most of them.
• Accessible Luxury: Many high-end resorts, especially in places like Palawan and Boracay, offer world-class amenities at prices significantly lower than equivalent destinations in Europe or the Americas.

7. Ecotourism and Adventure Opportunities

• Diverse Activities: Whether it’s island hopping in Palawan, surfing in Siargao, hiking Mount Apo, or spelunking in Sagada’s caves, the Philippines offers something for every type of adventurer. This blog on Philippines scams may have been inspired by the threat of scams ruining your travels, but more often than not, pearls are hidden in the murk clouding your vision. And no; that was not a play on the fact that the Philippines are regarded as the Pearl of the Pacific.
• Sustainability Efforts: The country has increasingly focused on sustainable tourism, making it appealing to eco-conscious travelers.

8. Strong Overseas Filipino Community

• Global Connections: With millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino expatriates worldwide, the country enjoys strong international connections. Tourists often visit because of Filipino friends or coworkers who encourage them to explore their homeland. If you fear falling for one of the Philippines scams that are bound to be thrown your way, just get to the airport like 1 hour early and listen in on the conversations around you. Right there and then you might be picking up a travel buddy for the duration of your visit on the cheap!
• Festive Reunions: Many tourists are drawn by stories of grand reunions or fiestas hosted by Filipino families, providing a personal touch to their travel experience.

9. Unique Food and Drink

• Fusion Cuisine: Filipino food is an exciting mix of indigenous, Spanish, Chinese, and American influences. Dishes like adobo, sinigang, lechon, and halo-halo are must-tries.
• Thriving Coffee and Nightlife Scene: Manila’s cosmopolitan vibe includes craft coffee shops and bustling nightlife in areas like Bonifacio Global City, Poblacion, and Malate.

10. Strategic Location in Asia

• Hub for Southeast Asian Exploration: As a central location in Southeast Asia, the Philippines serves as a convenient base for exploring neighboring countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. So yes; on the one hand, the Philippines are also a hub for more than just the Philippines scams listed here, but on the other hand, they are also a hub for meets, greets, and hits.
• Direct Flights: Increasingly, international airports like NAIA, Clark, and Mactan-Cebu have direct flights to and from major global cities, enhancing accessibility for tourists.

Accommodations in the Philippines

There are way more than I could fish for that deserve to be on this list, so do some more research. In any case, just going by the price, you should know what you should pay and get out of being a victim of such Philippines scams.

Accommodation	Location	Approx. Price per Night	Seasonal Variations	Proximity to Attractions	Reasons for Selection
Red Planet Manila Bay	Ermita, Manila	$30 – $40	Slight increase during peak seasons (Dec-May)	Near Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park	Budget-friendly, clean rooms, close to historical sites.
Hop Inn Hotel Ermita	Ermita, Manila	$25 – $35	Rates may rise during holidays	Walking distance to Robinsons Place Manila, Baywalk	Affordable, safe area, accessible to shopping and dining.
The Mini Suites Eton Tower Makati	Makati City	$50 – $70	Higher rates during peak seasons	Near Greenbelt Mall, Ayala Museum	Modern amenities, central location in business district.
Hotel 101 Manila	Pasay City	$60 – $80	Prices increase during events at MOA Arena	Adjacent to SM Mall of Asia, close to Manila Bay	Comfortable rooms, proximity to shopping and entertainment.
Conrad Manila	Pasay City	$200 – $250	Significant increase during peak seasons and events	Beside SM Mall of Asia, near Manila Bay	Luxurious amenities, stunning bay views, high-end dining options.
The Peninsula Manila	Makati City	$180 – $230	Higher rates during holidays and business events	Near Ayala Triangle Gardens, Greenbelt Mall	Iconic hotel with exceptional service, central location.

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