Destinations › United States › Chicago › Scams
Chicago, United States
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Chicago, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Street and online resellers offering architecture-cruise, observation-deck and sports tickets that are counterfeit or already used.
Pickpocketing and phone snatching on transit platforms and crowded riverside walkways, particularly during festival periods.
Unofficial parking attendants charging at spaces that are free or already metered near event venues.
Counterfeit branded goods and sports merchandise sold at street stalls as genuine.
Fake charity collectors with clipboards working the main shopping avenue and station concourses.
Dynamic currency conversion at card terminals and independent cash machines at poor rates.
Short-let listings taking deposits for properties that are unlicensed and unavailable on arrival.
Restaurants applying automatic gratuity plus separate service and city surcharges, with tipping prompted again on the total.
Drivers taking extended routes from the airports and applying surcharges that do not apply.
Unofficial 'tour' sellers near the main attractions taking payment for cruises and tours that do not run as described.
