North America·USA·Updated April 17, 2026

Memphis Scams to Avoid in 2026 (USA)

Memphis draws around 12 million annual visitors to Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Sun Studio. The concentration of music-history tourism downtown and along Elvis Presley Blvd creates predictable targeting patterns: fake Graceland ticket resellers, unauthorized Beale Street photo operators, rideshare cash-demand schemes between the airport and downtown, and souvenir shops passing off mass-produced goods as authentic Memphis-made. Most scams cluster between Beale Street, Graceland, and the Memphis International Airport corridor.

Risk Index

5.7

out of 10

Scams

10

documented

High Severity

1

10% of total

5.7

Risk Index

10

Scams

1

High Risk

Memphis has 10 documented tourist scams across 6 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Fake Graceland tour and ticket resellers on Elvis Presley Blvd, Rideshare "broken meter" cash demand from Memphis airport, Unlicensed "Memphis music tour" bus operators.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →
How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Fake Graceland tour and ticket resellers on Elvis Presley Blvd

Individuals near the Graceland shuttle area and along Elvis Presley Blvd offer "VIP" Graceland tours or discounted tickets claiming skip-the-line access. Graceland does not offer third-party VIP tickets; sold passes are often fabricated or expired. Tours turn out to be drives past the gates without entry.

Elvis Presley Blvd near the Graceland entrance and official shuttle area, hotels adjacent to the Graceland complex.

How to avoid: Buy Graceland tickets only at Graceland.com, at the official ticket pavilion, or through authorized resellers like AAA. Ignore anyone offering tickets or VIP tours on the street.

This scam type is also documented in New York and Cozumel.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Memphis.

Fake Graceland tour and ticket resellers on Elvis Presley Blvd

Tour & Activities

Elvis Presley Blvd near the Graceland entrance and official shuttle area, hotels adjacent to the Graceland complex.

Rideshare "broken meter" cash demand from Memphis airport

Taxi & Transport

Memphis International Airport (MEM) rideshare pickup lanes, return trips from downtown hotels.

Unlicensed "Memphis music tour" bus operators

Tour & Activities

Beale Street hotel lobbies, downtown tour booths, street-side sign flippers near Peabody Hotel.

Fake parking attendants on Beale Street

Money & ATM Scams

Side streets off Beale including Gayoso Ave, Peabody Pl, 2nd St and 3rd St north of Union.

Counterfeit Elvis merchandise near Graceland

Other Scams

Elvis Presley Blvd storefronts between Shelby Dr and Raines Rd, Beale Street souvenir shops.

Fake Memphis music "studio tour" upsells

Tour & Activities

Tour booths near Beale Street and at downtown hotels, sign flippers on Union Ave.

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Memphis

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Buy Graceland tickets only at Graceland.com, at the official ticket pavilion, or through authorized resellers like AAA. Ignore anyone offering tickets or VIP tours on the street.
  • Verify driver, car model, and plate match the app before boarding. Screenshot the app fare quote. End the ride in-app and report immediately if the driver asks for cash.
  • Book music tours through established companies with TripAdvisor history and a real office like Backbeat Tours, Blues City Tours, or American Dream Safari. Verify stops and duration in writing.
  • Use city-operated lots, parking garages at Peabody Place or Memphis Central Station, or licensed valet services at hotels. Pay at machines or staffed booths only.
  • Buy officially licensed Elvis merchandise at Graceland's own retail shops or from authorized dealers listed at Graceland.com. Authentic signed memorabilia has authentication from PSA or JSA.

FAQ

Memphis Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Memphis?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Memphis are Fake Graceland tour and ticket resellers on Elvis Presley Blvd, Rideshare "broken meter" cash demand from Memphis airport, Unlicensed "Memphis music tour" bus operators, with 1 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in New York and Cozumel.
Are taxis safe in Memphis?
Taxis in Memphis carry documented risk for tourists — 1 transport-related scam is on record. Verify driver, car model, and plate match the app before boarding. Screenshot the app fare quote. End the ride in-app and report immediately if the driver asks for cash. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Memphis safe at night for tourists?
Memphis draws around 12 million annual visitors to Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Sun Studio. The concentration of music-history tourism downtown and along Elvis Presley Blvd creates predictable targeting patterns: fake Graceland ticket resellers, unauthorized Beale Street photo operators, rideshare cash-demand schemes between the airport and downtown, and souvenir shops passing off mass-produced goods as authentic Memphis-made. Most scams cluster between Beale Street, Graceland, and the Memphis International Airport corridor. 1 of the 10 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Elvis Presley Blvd near the Graceland entrance and official shuttle area, hotels adjacent to the Graceland complex.. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Memphis should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Memphis is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Elvis Presley Blvd near the Graceland entrance and official shuttle area, hotels adjacent to the Graceland complex. (Fake Graceland tour and ticket resellers on Elvis Presley Blvd); Memphis International Airport (MEM) rideshare pickup lanes, return trips from downtown hotels. (Rideshare "broken meter" cash demand from Memphis airport); Beale Street hotel lobbies, downtown tour booths, street-side sign flippers near Peabody Hotel. (Unlicensed "Memphis music tour" bus operators). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Memphis?
The best protection against scams in Memphis is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Verify driver, car model, and plate match the app before boarding. Screenshot the app fare quote. End the ride in-app and report immediately if the driver asks for cash. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Memphis · USA · North America

Open in Maps →

Region

More destinations in North America

New York

USA

24 scams

Cozumel

Mexico

21 scams

Tijuana

Mexico

21 scams

Mexico City

Mexico

19 scams

Toronto

Canada

16 scams

North America safety guide →All scams in USA →

Experienced a scam here?

Help fellow travelers by reporting it.

Report a Scam

Editorial note: Scam warnings for Memphis 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 →