Destinations › Australia › Melbourne › Scams
Melbourne, Australia
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Melbourne, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Rental and share-house listings demanding deposits before viewing for properties that do not exist, targeting new arrivals and students.
Advance-fee and 'training deposit' offers aimed at working-holiday arrivals, and unpaid 'trial shifts' that never lead to a paid role.
Unlicensed 'student accommodation agents' charging finder's fees for listings that are public or already let.
Resold event and festival tickets sold online that are already used, counterfeit or non-transferable.
Dynamic currency conversion at card terminals and independent cash machines at unfavourable rates.
Drivers taking extended routes from the airport where the direct route is well established, and refusing app-quoted fares.
Fake charity collectors with clipboards and tablets working the central pedestrian streets and station entrances.
Bag and phone theft from café tables and on tram routes through the central business district.
Venues applying undisclosed public-holiday and card surcharges not shown on the menu.
Counterfeit branded goods and 'Aboriginal art' that is mass-produced and not by Indigenous artists, sold in tourist shops.
