How Does Scams to Avoid Work in Philippines?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Asia
1The Quick Answer
Common scams include airport taxi overcharging, ATM skimming, fake police demanding cash, and gem investment schemes — stay alert in tourist areas.
2What You Need to Know
The most common scam at NAIA involves unlicensed taxi touts charging grossly inflated fares. The 'broken meter' scam in metered taxis involves a driver claiming the meter is broken and then charging whatever they like. The gem or investment scam involves a friendly local 'accidentally' meeting you and steering you to a shop where you are pressured to buy jewellery or other goods as a 'business investment'. Fake police officers — sometimes in uniform — may approach foreigners demanding to see passports and then extorting cash. Resort bills sometimes include undisclosed 'mandatory fees' that were not quoted at booking.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Use Grab exclusively for city transport — this eliminates all taxi-related scams with upfront pricing and tracking
- 2If anyone approaches you claiming to be a plainclothes police officer, ask to be taken to the nearest police station in a Grab — legitimate officers will agree
- 3Review your hotel and resort bill line by line before paying; query any charge not agreed to at check-in
Important Warning
The gem/investment scam is particularly sophisticated and has cost tourists thousands of dollars. Any 'friendly local' who suggests visiting a particular shop or jewellery store is almost certainly running a scam.
How does this compare?
Scams to Avoid rules in nearby and similar countries:
Japan is one of the world's most honest countries — scams are virtually nonexistent and all prices are fixed.
Bargaining is normal at markets, but tourists face specific scams including tuk-tuk gem shop detours, fake tours, and the notorious jet ski damage scam in Phuket.
Singapore is one of the world's most scam-resistant destinations, but Sim Lim Square electronics scams targeting tourists are a known and documented risk.
Traveling to Philippines?
You might also need:
SafetyWing Travel Insurance
Medical coverage for travelers worldwide. Covers emergency care, hospital stays, and evacuation.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Send and spend money abroad using real mid-market exchange rates with no hidden fees.
NordVPN
Stay secure on public WiFi and access your home country's content while abroad.
More About Philippines
Tipping around 10% is expected at sit-down restaurants; check your bill first as a service charge is often already included.
Updated 2025-06
Grab is the safest and easiest option in cities; jeepneys and tricycles cover local routes while domestic flights and ferries connect the islands.
Updated 2025-06
Private hospitals in Manila and Cebu are good quality, but travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential — especially for remote islands.
Updated 2025-06
Drug laws are extremely strict with severe penalties; anti-smoking laws are rigorously enforced with heavy fines for smoking outside designated areas.
Updated 2025-06
Dial 911 for all emergencies; 117 reaches the Philippine National Police directly, and 143 connects to the Red Cross.
Updated 2025-06
The Philippines is casual overall, but cover shoulders and knees at churches; beachwear is fine at resorts but not in towns.
Updated 2025-06
⚠️ See Scams to Avoid rules in all countries
Compare all countries →