There are lots of different Tourist Scams in Las Vegas. Many of the scams might be obvious but some of them are pretty clever. Nothing is free in Las Vegas and if it sounds too good to be true it’s probably a scam.
A few years back we were walking into the Planet Hollywood Mall. We were asked if we wanted a coupon book. I know that the mall offers shopping booklets with coupons so I said sure. The man wasn’t with the mall and immediately began harassing us to go to a time share presentation. A scam.
Tourist scams are everywhere in Las Vegas and here are a few of the more common scams.
Tourist Scams in Las Vegas
- Card Slappers – The Card Slappers are all over the Las Vegas Strip. They will hand you a card advertising an escort or call girl. Contrary to what many people think, prostitution is illegal in Vegas. Most times the escort is not going to provide you with a service. They are there to rob you. They may slip you something in a drink or excuse themselves to freshen up while they steal your items.
- Free Dinner Scam – The scam involves a good looking person chatting you up and gaining your confidence. They will tell you about how they scored a big win at the tables and want to take you out for dinner. They will do the old dine and dash and leave your holding the bill for dinner.
- Time Share Presentation – These people are all over the Las Vegas Strip. They will offer you free tickets to a show or dinner if you listen to their presentation. You will get some crappy seats to a show. You will have wasted your day and they will do everything to keep you there and get you to sign up. It’s not worth wasting an entire day in Las Vegas to get a pair of nosebleed seats.
- Casino ATM’s – So not a scam in the general sense but beware of the fees. Some of the bank machine fees in Casinos are 3x a normal ATM. Try and get your money elsewhere.
- Water Vendors – This should be a no brainer. Do not buy water from a person off the strip. I have seen them. The coolers are filthy and people report they have filled them up with tap water.
- Don’t Gamble on the Street – I have never seen them but apparently Three Card Monty and other games take place in Vegas. These are obviously not fair games. You have no chance of winning them.
- Distraction – Stay focused in the Casino. The scammers will work in pairs. One will distract you by dropping something or bumping into you. The other will steal your purse, bag or even try to get your tito slip.
- The Long Haul – Taxi cab drivers are notorious for trying to long haul you from the airport. Read more on our post Long Haul Taxi Scam.
How to Deal with Scammers in Las Vegas
The easiest way to deal with the scammers is to simply ignore them. When they try to hand you a card, a cd or booklet just keep walking. They won’t waste their time on you.
If you engage them then they will focus on you and begin their targeted harassing grift. If you acknowledge them they will press you. So don’t do it.
If a scammer begins to engage with you tell them you are on your way to the airport and walk away. They have heard this a million times and will usually go away.
I have personally yelled at them with a loud voice to leave me alone. They don’t want to create a scene, especially with Vegas police so they will go away.
If you feel threatened just walk into the nearest store, casino or business. They won’t follow you in there. If so grab a security guard, they are everywhere in Vegas.
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