Is Dallas Safe in October 2026?

Unlicensed drivers posing as Uber or Lyft drivers approach travelers in the ground transportation areas at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field, claiming to be their requested rideshare. Victims are overcharged or taken on longer routes, and in some cases personal safety is compromised by riding with an unverified driver.

How to avoid: Always verify the driver's name, license plate, and car model within the rideshare app before getting in. Use designated rideshare pickup zones and never accept rides from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.

Scalpers and scammers sell counterfeit or already-used tickets outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington for Cowboys games and near American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas for Mavericks, Stars, and concert events. Tickets are sold as genuine but are invalid at the gate. Digital ticket scams via social media are also common leading up to high-demand events.

How to avoid: Purchase tickets only through official team websites, Ticketmaster, or AXS. If buying resale, use verified platforms with buyer guarantees. Never buy tickets from strangers outside the venue.

Unofficial individuals position themselves in surface lots near AT&T Stadium in Arlington and American Airlines Center in Dallas on event nights, directing arriving drivers and collecting cash "parking fees" of $20–$40. They have no affiliation with the lot owner and the vehicle may be towed regardless of payment.

How to avoid: Only pay parking in lots with clearly posted official signage or a staffed booth with a receipt machine. Use the official team app to pre-book parking before arrival. If someone approaches your car on foot collecting cash, drive on.

Ahead of large events at AT&T Stadium (Cowboys games, concerts) and during major Dallas conventions, fraudulent short-term rental listings appear on Craigslist and social media offering properties near the venue at below-market rates. After payment is made via Zelle or wire transfer, the renter arrives to find the property does not exist, is already occupied, or is nothing like the listing photos.

How to avoid: Book only through platforms with buyer protection (Airbnb, Vrbo) and never transfer money via Zelle, Venmo, or wire transfer for rental payments. Verify the address on Google Maps Street View before booking. Be skeptical of any listing that is dramatically cheaper than others for the same dates.

Near major DART stations — particularly Cedars Station, Convention Center Station, and Pearl/Arts District — individuals approach visitors claiming the ticket machines are broken or require exact change, offering to "buy" their ticket for them in exchange for cash. The scammer either takes the cash and disappears or produces an expired or invalid ticket.

How to avoid: Purchase tickets only at official DART machines or via the GoPass app. If a machine is genuinely out of service, the next station will have a working one. Never hand cash to a stranger offering to purchase transit tickets on your behalf.