Sin City is a bright, glittering destination in the middle of the desert where travellers and tourists indulge in all things extravagant and daring. With how many visitors make a stop in the desert, it’s understandable that a select few would take this as an opportunity to get ahead or take advantage. We discuss a few of the different scams you can encounter during your stay in Vegas so you’ll know how to avoid them.
People Seeking Assistance on the Street
The downtown area and the Las Vegas Strip experience some of the highest numbers of wanderers. This is by design. These areas are full of tourists, and wanderers know it’s unlikely they’ll ever see these people again.
Seeking assistance on the street is fair when you have no choice. However, being mindful about who you engage with is essential to avoid falling victim to a scam. Offering pocket change or a bottle of water is one thing, but being set up with a distraction is a sign of a scam.
The Photographers at the Iconic Welcome Sign
Visiting the iconic “Welcome” sign at the south end of the Vegas Strip is a treat for first-timers in Vegas. Here, visitors wait in line to have their photo taken in front of the historical sign and cherish these memories forever.
Something many fall victim to are the photographers or those who claim to be photographers. These individuals are not being paid, nor were they hired by the city, so avoid these scams and have a fellow tourist snap your photo if you’re not already travelling with a group.
Drawn Out Timeshare Speeches
Sitting in on a timeshare sales pitch is not everyone’s cup of tea. If it’s yours and you’re interested in a timeshare, by all means, enjoy the speech. The most significant issue with these speeches is how long they last, and people reporting they felt like they were held hostage during them.
Streetwalkers will approach you asking how long you’re in town and if you’re married to your partner, this is your first sign they might be trying to hook you into a timeshare sales pitch. You can avoid this tourist trap during your stay in Vegas by avoiding eye contact and disengaging from all non-essential conversations.
Sneaky CNF Fees
The sneaky CNF fees catch many by complete and utter shock because it’s not blatantly obvious you’re being charged an additional fee in the first place. While most visitors are aware they may experience resort fees, others don’t know if some restaurants and bars can charge an additional CNF fee without explanation.
CNF stands for “concession and franchise fee” and can be close to 4.7% extra on top of your bill for no reason. The most notorious locations for the CNF fee include Cabo Wabo, Alexxa’s, and Beer Park. However, there may be other locations. Always read the fine print on the menu to avoid this scam.
Encountering a scam on your stay in Vegas feels inevitable. But it’s relatively easy to keep moving and avoid falling victim if you know what to look for. Hopefully, this list brings awareness to common scams to help you on your next trip to sunny Las Vegas.
Also, read: When In Las Vegas You Should Try Out These 5 Exciting Adult Experiences
