Trip Scam

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San Jose, United States

Common scams in San Jose

10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in San Jose, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.

Last updated 2026-08-09

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
Photo: joefutrelle · CC BY SA 2.0 · source

Pictured: Winchester Mystery House, San Jose.

high1. Distraction theft

Vehicle break-ins at shopping centres, transit park-and-ride lots and trailheads, targeting bags left in view.

high2. Rental overbooking

Rental listings demanding deposits before viewing for properties that do not exist, targeting new arrivals to the area.

high3. Fake job / work offer

Advance-fee employment and immigration-sponsorship offers aimed at technology jobseekers, charging for petitions and processing that never occur.

medium4. Menu / bill switching

Restaurants applying automatic gratuity plus separate service charges, with tipping prompted again on the total.

medium5. Counterfeit goods

Counterfeit electronics and accessories sold at street markets and online marketplaces as genuine.

medium6. Currency shortchange

Dynamic currency conversion at card terminals and independent cash machines at poor rates.

medium7. Taxi meter fraud

Drivers taking extended routes from the airport and refusing app-quoted fares.

medium8. Other

Fake tech-support calls and pop-ups aimed at visitors and residents, requesting remote access and payment in gift cards.

low9. Other

Unofficial parking operators charging at spaces that are free or already metered.

low10. Fake tickets

Resold event and conference tickets that are already used or non-transferable.

Every entry above describes a pattern reported in an area of San Jose, not an accusation against a specific business. Sources are labelled on each entry.

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