Other Tourist Scams in Kona, USA
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Kona — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like New York, Tijuana, and Cozumel.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
1
Other Scams Scams
10
Total in Kona
How it works
Multiple documented cases at Kona International Airport (KOA) involve rental car agents charging tourists for damage that was pre-existing or fabricated. In documented TripAdvisor and FlyerTalk reports, agents at Budget, Sixt, and Avis have presented invoices days or weeks after return — citing photos allegedly taken at pickup — for damage the customer never caused. One documented case involved a $450 charge for "excess interior sand" from a beach visit; another resulted in a nearly $1,000 invoice that was only dropped after a BBB complaint.
See all scams in Kona
10 total warnings across all categories