11 Common Tourist Scams in South Africa and How to Avoid Them

South Africa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. Home to stunning natural panoramas, pristine beaches, and vibrant city breaks, it is surely a country worth exploring. 

However, tourist scams can unfortunately be found in various parts of the world, and South Africa is no exception. While most people in South Africa are friendly and welcoming, it's still a good idea to be aware of potential scams to protect yourself during your travels. 

Some common tourist scams in South Africa, and the cities where they might be commonly found, include:

1. The Airport Pick-up Scams

Being picked up by the incorrect person at the airport when you initially arrive is the first scam to watch out for. Please make sure your driver is aware of your identity, the name of the company you booked with, and your destination. 

Before letting them see your documentation or baggage tags, ask them questions to know if the driver is meant for you.

Common around: Durban, Cape Town, etc.

2. Thefts and Pickpocketing Scams

Petty thefts like pickpocketing are very common in popular tourist areas. Even in South Africa, the cases of petty thefts are increasing annually. Scammers might work in pairs or groups, with one person distracting you (e.g., asking for directions or spilling something on you) while another steals your belongings.

The best way to avoid losing your belongings to petty thefts is by always being aware of your surroundings, especially in public places. Keep an eye on your purse/wallet and gadgets, if any.

Common around: Busy urban areas like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

3. Storytelling Scams

As a tourist in South Africa, you are most likely to be approached by locals who would want to strike up a conversation with you. In some cases, con artists approach tourists looking distressed and make up a story about how they need money for some necessities. You might also find some locals being overtly friendly and make attempts to carry a conversation with you.

Most of the time, these locals will try to rip a couple notes from you or try to pickpocket you during conversation. It's best to avoid such situations, move towards a crowded area and politely refuse any offer.

Common around: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, etc.

4. Unofficial Guides Scams

There's a lot of landscape to explore in South Africa but beware of locals posing as official guides when visiting a national park. There have been reports of locals posing as park guides and luring tourists along with them. 

They will then take you to a remote part of the trail where their accomplices are waiting to rob you. This is one of the dangerous scams that happen in the country so always book a guide through a licensed tour operator.  

Common around: Table Mountain and in the Drakensberg Mountains.

5. Food and Drink Spiking Scams

In some local pubs and restaurants, your food and drink can be spiked for the intention of robbery or sometimes assault. There have been numerous cases reported by tourists on the matter.

The best way to avoid having this incident happen to you is by always keeping an eye on your food or drink when ordering. Never leave your item unattended.

Common around: Cape Town, Johannesburg, etc.

6. ATM Scams

ATM scammers tend to work in teams, and most reported cases of ATM fraud come from exposing your PIN code. If you have problems with the machine and someone tries to assist, just firmly refuse help and find another location. 

Leave the ATM machine if it is jammed or won’t dispense money. Card skimming devices and hidden cameras can be used to steal your card information and PIN. You must stick to ATMs in well-lit, secure locations like bank branches to avoid being scammed.

Common around: Cape Town

7. Overcharging Taxi Scams

This is a concern in many cities around the world, where taxi drivers charge ridiculously high amounts or take long routes to get from one point to another. Even in South Africa, when tourists off-board from the airport, you might find taxi drivers waiting to help. 

Unfortunately, these drivers will charge you high amounts to get from the airport to your hotel or might even try to steal luggage when unloading your bags. 

You must always use reputable taxi services, make sure the meter is running, or negotiate the fare upfront.

Common around: Cape Town and Johannesburg.

8. Fake Vacation Accommodation Scams

There have been reports of scammers posing as tour operators offering amazing deals. They create fake vacation accommodation listings with fake reviews and photos, or listings pasted on phony websites. Tourists often fail to thoroughly check the listing and make payments. When they arrive, they unfortunately realize that they've been scammed.

To avoid falling for this scam, always book tours through reputable agencies. If the price is too good to be true or during payment, you are required to transfer the amount to a personal bank, avoid such websites as it might be fake. Use Google Maps to confirm the property’s address and to compare the photos used to advertise the property.

Common around: Tourist hotspots like Cape Town.

9. Fake Police Scam

You might come across scammers impersonating police officers to extort money from tourists. They are often present at crowded bus stations, or traffic signals. If they begin to examine your belongings, you always have the right to ask for identification. 

They might also pull tourists over claiming a traffic violation and demand a fine. You can offer to go down to the police station to pay the fine, as officials should not request or accept payments on the roadside. 

If you're approached by someone claiming to be an officer, ask for identification and consider going to a nearby police station if you're unsure.

Common around: Gauteng and Northwest in Johannesburg, Pretoria, etc.

10. Currency Exchange Scams

Currency exchange scams are common in South Africa. A clever trick that dealers use when counting money is counting out folded-over banknotes, so they count the same paper twice. This means that the dealers will hand over less currency when you try to exchange your notes for foreign currency. 

Counterfeit notes are also in circulation in South Africa, so always check the notes you are handed before walking away.

If you must exchange currency, be wary of people offering to help who might shortchange you. Stick to official currency exchange centers or banks.

Common around: Cape Town, Johannesburg.

11. Lodge Staff Scams

Sometimes, hotel staff members may scam you. Always check your change or any additions to your bill, and keep a close eye on your possessions, cash and credit cards without being too anxious. When you leave something at a lodge, instead of calling you or sending the items after you, they are hidden away for a quarantine time in a cabinet to see if you return.

This way, you tend to lose out on your own belongings. 

To avoid this scam, always double check that you have everything on you.

Common around: Cape Town, Johannesburg.

Tourist scams can happen no matter which country/destination you travel to. That's why being vigilant and aware of your surroundings and belongings is necessary. Here are a few tips you can adopt when travelling to South Africa:

• First, you must get yourself Travel Insurance to South Africa to completely secure your trip. Now that you know that petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen in South Africa, if you lose your passport or other official documents, our cover can help secure your finances. Not just this, you can read more about our coverages here.
• Don't attract too much attention by wearing flashy jewelry or anything that could display signs of wealth as this might make you a target for robbery.
• If someone tries to rob/mug you, do not try to fight back as you might risk getting seriously injured. Immediately report the case to the local police.
• Avoid going for a walk at night or during late hours as the area might not be safe.
• Always inquire with your hotel about safety measures and security to ensure your items remain safe. Keep your valuables and important documents in a safe.
• When in public places, avoid wearing a backpack as it makes pickpocketing easier.
• To avoid falling victim to these scams, it's important to stay vigilant, research your destination in advance, and use common sense. Stick to well-known, reputable businesses and always trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's best to err on the side of caution.

To reach out to officials in case of any emergency in South Africa, you can use the following contacts:

• Police: 10111 

• Ambulance: 10177 

• Disaster Management Center: 012 848 4602 

• Medical and Fire: 021 535 1100

• Sea and Mountain Rescue: 021 948 9900 

• High Commission of India in South Africa: 002712 3425393-05

Travelling to South Africa is a beautiful experience and can be enriched if you follow these safety tips to avoid letting petty scams ruin your perfectly good trip. So, pack your bags and embark on a fulfilling journey to visit South Africa.