Las Vegas Visitor Safety Tips

You’ll see plenty of street performers and costumed characters on the Strip. They often invite tourists to take photos with them. However, after the photo is taken, they demand a hefty tip. While tipping is customary, some may pressure you for more money than expected.

Timeshare representatives often lure tourists with free gifts, show tickets, or meals in exchange for attending a presentation. While these offers are most likely real, the presentations can be high-pressure and lengthy, often lasting several hours. The goal of these presentations is to sell you a timeshare. The sales tactics can be very aggressive, and the deals often aren’t as good as they seem. Always research before committing to any purchase.

Some taxi drivers may take longer routes to increase the fare, a practice known as long-hauling. To avoid this, research the best route to your destination beforehand or use a rideshare app that shows the route.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft use surge pricing during peak times. Be aware that prices can skyrocket during these times, and always check the fare estimate before confirming a ride.

Scalpers may sell fake or overpriced tickets for shows and events. Always buy tickets from reputable sources or directly from the venue to avoid counterfeit tickets.

Some operators offer tours at a bargain price but deliver subpar experiences or no tour at all. Verify the legitimacy of tour operators through reviews and official tourism websites.

Street gambling games like Three-Card Monte are designed to scam participants. The game is rigged, and you’re almost guaranteed to lose. Avoid participating in any street gambling activities.

Skimming Devices: Be cautious when using ATMs, as some may have skimming devices that steal your card information. Use ATMs located inside banks or well-lit, secure areas.

Fake ATMs: Fake ATMs can be set up to capture your card details and PIN. Stick to ATMs affiliated with major banks to avoid this risk.

Scammers may call your hotel room pretending to be the front desk and ask for your credit card details. Always visit the front desk in person to resolve any issues, or simply hang up and call them back from your hotel room’s phone.

Busy areas like the Strip and Fremont Street are prime spots for pickpockets. So are gathering areas such as the Conservatory at the Bellagio or any place that draws a crowd. Keep your valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings. Pickpockets often use distraction techniques, such as bumping into you or causing a commotion. Stay alert and keep your belongings close.

Drink spiking can occur in bars and nightclubs. Never leave your drink unattended, and avoid accepting drinks from strangers. Use the buddy system when going out at night. Keep an eye on each other’s drinks and stick together.

Scammers may pose as charity workers and solicit donations on the street. Verify the legitimacy of any charity before donating. Here is a little hint: the monks aren’t real.

Stick to licensed taxis and confirmed ride-sharing rides. Avoid unmarked vehicles or individuals who approach you on the street to offer transportation.

Limit purchases of items such as bottled water, jewelry, gift cards, and other items sold on the street and pedestrian walkways around the casinos. Items are generally cheap or fake, and potentially unsafe to consume. Stick to licensed shops and avoid buying from rouge street vendors.

A “trick-roll” scam in Las Vegas is a type of confidence trick where a prostitute or escort, sometimes working alone or with accomplices, steals money or valuables from a client. Here’s how it typically works:

Targeting: The scammer targets a potential victim, often a male tourist or someone perceived as wealthy or vulnerable, typically in casinos, bars, or nightclubs.

Initial Approach: The scammer engages the victim in conversation, offering companionship or sexual services for a fee.

Going to a Private Location: The victim is persuaded to go to a hotel room or another private location with the scammer.

Theft: Once in a private setting, the scammer finds an opportunity to steal from the victim. This could involve various tactics such as:

• Distracting the victim and taking their wallet, watch, or other valuables.
• Drugging the victim’s drink to incapacitate them and then robbing them.
• Having an accomplice enter the room to assist in the theft.

Escape: After the theft, the scammer quickly leaves the scene, often before the victim realizes what has happened.

Victims of trick-roll scams often feel embarrassed and may be reluctant to report the crime, which can make it difficult for law enforcement to track down and apprehend the perpetrators. The term “trick-roll” refers to the combination of being “tricked” and having one’s money or possessions “rolled” (stolen).

Juice jacking is a sneaky cybercrime that targets people who use public USB charging stations. Think of those convenient charging ports you see in airports, hotel lobbies, convention centers, or even some public areas on the Strip. While they seem like a lifesaver when your phone battery is dying, they can actually be a trap.

How it works:

• Compromised Ports: Hackers either tamper with existing public USB charging stations or set up their own fake ones. They install malicious software or hardware within these ports.
• Data Transfer: When you plug your phone or other device into a standard USB port, it’s designed to do two things: provide power and allow data transfer. This is how you can connect your phone to a computer to transfer photos or files.
• The Hijack: The malicious software or hardware in the compromised charging station exploits this data transfer capability. As soon as you plug in, it can steal your data, including passwords, banking information, photos, contacts, messages, and any other sensitive data on your device.
• Install malware: It can secretly download viruses, spyware, or ransomware onto your device. This malware can then continue to track your activity, steal more information, or even lock you out of your device until you pay a ransom.
• Invisible Threat: The scary part is that you often won’t even realize it’s happening. Your phone might appear to be charging, while in the background, your data is being compromised.

Why it’s a worry for visitors to Las Vegas:

In a city like Las Vegas, where visitors are always out and about, phone batteries are almost always low due to heavy resort navigation use, mapping apps, photography, and staying connected. All of this really makes public charging look good. The presence of large numbers of tourists makes them an attractive target for hackers looking to cash in on unsuspecting users.

In effect, juice jacking is akin to plugging your device into a stranger’s computer, without so much as a how-do-you-do regarding what the stranger might be doing to your information. It’s hard not to take that as a reminder that convenience sometimes comes with a cost, especially in public spaces.