Los Angeles Scams to Avoid in 2026 (USA)
Los Angeles sees Hollywood Walk of Fame character photo scams, CD promotion scams in tourist areas, timeshare hard sells in Anaheim, and overpriced shuttle services from LAX.
Taxi & Transport scams are the most documented risk in Los Angeles — 4 of 10 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 4 →
Compare with nearby destinations
Last updated: April 2, 2026
Rental Car Damage Claim Scam
Rental car companies at LAX and tourist areas charge tourists for pre-existing vehicle damage present before the rental began. Damage is often minor and hard to see in dim lighting. Some agents fail to note scratches on the pre-rental inspection and later bill credit cards for hundreds of dollars.
📍Rental car facilities at LAX consolidated car rental center at 9020 Aviation Blvd, and satellite rental car lots near Hollywood hotels on Highland Ave and Sunset Blvd
How to avoid: Photograph and video the entire exterior and interior of any rental car before driving away, including timestamps. Walk the lot with the agent and insist any existing damage is noted on the contract. Consider purchasing independent rental car insurance for added protection.
2
High Risk
5
Medium Risk
3
Low Risk
Los Angeles · USA · North America
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Los Angeles
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Rental Car Damage Claim Scam
Rental car facilities at LAX consolidated car rental center at 9020 Aviation Blvd, and satellite rental car lots near Hollywood hotels on Highland Ave and Sunset Blvd
Fake Rideshare Driver at LAX
LAX terminal curbside pickup areas and baggage claim exits across all terminals, particularly the Tom Bradley International Terminal on World Way, before passengers reach the official LAX-it rideshare lot on Avion Dr
Hollywood Walk of Fame Character Scam
Hollywood Boulevard in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Blvd, the Walk of Fame stars between Highland Ave and Cahuenga Blvd, and near the Dolby Theatre at 6801 Hollywood Blvd
Venice Beach Vendor Pressure
Venice Beach Boardwalk (Ocean Front Walk) between Windward Ave and Rose Ave in Venice, Los Angeles, particularly the vendor stall section north of the Muscle Beach area
Fake Celebrity Tour Bait-and-Switch
Tour sellers operating from folding tables or kiosks on Hollywood Blvd near the Walk of Fame, street-level operators outside the Hollywood and Highland complex at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, and listings on Groupon or third-party tour booking sites
Overpriced LAX Taxi to Hotels
Taxi stands at LAX terminal curbside exits across all terminals on World Way, and the taxi queue at the LAX-it ground transportation lot on Avion Dr
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Transport is the primary risk in Los Angeles
4 of 10 documented scams involve taxis or transport. Always use app-based rides (Uber, Grab, or local equivalent) and confirm fares before getting in.
How it works
Rental car companies at LAX and tourist areas charge tourists for pre-existing vehicle damage present before the rental began. Damage is often minor and hard to see in dim lighting. Some agents fail to note scratches on the pre-rental inspection and later bill credit cards for hundreds of dollars.
How it works
Near LAX pickup zones, individuals pose as rideshare drivers and approach travelers offering rides at app prices. Once in the vehicle, they charge inflated cash-only fares and may make tourists feel they cannot leave until payment is made.
How it works
Costumed characters (Batman, Minnie Mouse, Spiderman) on Hollywood Boulevard pose for photos with tourists. After the photo, they demand $20–40 per character and surround tourists with multiple characters simultaneously.
How it works
Vendors along Venice Beach Boardwalk use high-pressure tactics to place bracelets, sunglasses, or hats on tourists without consent, then demand payment. Some vendors quote one price verbally and write a much higher price on the receipt.
How it works
Operators near Hollywood Boulevard sell celebrity home tours promising sightings of A-list star mansions. In reality, the tours show generic Bel Air neighborhoods with dubious claims. Some operators take payment and fail to show up at the meeting point at all.
How it works
Taxis outside LAX terminal doors charge flat rates that are significantly above metered fares to West LA, Hollywood, and the Valley. Some drivers claim the meter "doesn't work well" and quote inflated flat rates.
How it works
Near Hollywood Boulevard, individuals approach tourists claiming to be casting agents and offer immediate paid work as film extras. They direct targets to a nearby office where they are asked to pay for headshots, training materials, or registration fees upfront.
How it works
Vendors selling celebrity home maps near the Walk of Fame are aggressive and follow up map sales with tip demands or misleading directions that send tourists toward their associates' souvenir shops. Maps are often outdated with inaccurate addresses.
How it works
Near tourist areas like the Grove and Santa Monica Pier, individuals pose as parking helpers or claim to save tourists from tickets by feeding their meters, then demand $5-$10 for the unsolicited service. Others claim meters are broken and offer to collect cash on behalf of the city.
How it works
Restaurants directly on and adjacent to the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard operate with tourist-trap pricing, charging $20–$30 for basic dishes that cost a fraction of that two blocks away. Some establishments display menu boards outside showing lower prices for appetizers and drinks to draw visitors in, while entrees are priced far higher and shown only once seated inside. Staff may also add a mandatory 20% gratuity to all bills without clearly disclosing it upfront.
Los Angeles Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Los Angeles?
Are taxis safe in Los Angeles?
Is Los Angeles safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Los Angeles should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in Los Angeles?
Browse by scam type
Filter scams in Los Angeles by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the North America region. Before visiting Tulum, New Orleans, and Boston, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Los Angeles are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →