Is Myrtle Beach Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Myrtle Beach is generally safe for tourists relative to other popular destinations. Our database documents 15 scams, with only 2 rated high severity. Standard travel awareness applies — staying alert in crowded areas and using vetted transport covers the majority of documented risks.

Generally Safe

Overall verdict

Scams documented

High severity

Overall verdict

Generally Safe

Lower scam risk compared to similar destinations

Scams documented

High severity

Medium severity

Top risk type

Street Scams

Priority warnings

High-severity risks in Myrtle Beach

These are the most serious documented scams — rated high severity based on frequency, financial impact, and confirmation across multiple sources.

Timeshare "Free Gift" Presentation Bait

high

Booths and kiosks throughout Broadway at the Beach and along Kings Highway offer free show tickets, gift cards worth $50–150, or complimentary hotel nights in exchange for attending a "90-minute vacation ownership presentation." In practice these presentations routinely run 3–4 hours and involve rotating teams of high-pressure salespeople using false urgency, isolation tactics, and a final "gifting table" stop that applies conditions — blackout dates, processing fees, or mandatory future stays — that make the promised gift difficult or impossible to redeem. Visitors report feeling trapped and coerced into signing contracts they later cannot exit.

How to avoid: Never accept any gift contingent on attending a presentation. If you do attend, bring a printed copy of all promised gifts and their terms, note the start time, and state clearly at arrival that you will leave exactly at the 90-minute mark. Do not sign anything on-site.

Where: Kiosks at Broadway at the Beach near Celebrity Square, information booths along Kings Highway (US-17 Business) between 21st Avenue North and 38th Avenue North, and resort check-in desks at timeshare properties clustered around the Ocean Drive and Grandiose Strand corridors

Fake Vacation Rental Listings

high

Scammers scrape legitimate oceanfront condo and beach house photos from real listing sites, repost them on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and ad-hoc websites at below-market rates — often $150–200 per night for units that would legitimately cost $300–400 — then collect a full-week deposit via bank transfer or Zelle before going silent. Documented Myrtle Beach cases include a man who lost $1,138 on a fake Craigslist listing for a three-bedroom unit on Ocean Boulevard and never received keys or a refund. The scam peaks in the off-season when demand drops and price-sensitive families shop outside official booking platforms.

How to avoid: Book only through Airbnb, Vrbo, or a licensed Myrtle Beach property management company such as Elliott Beach Rentals or Dunes Realty. Never pay by bank transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or wire. Reverse image search any listing photos before sending money.

Where: Fake listings most commonly advertise units on Ocean Boulevard between 1st Avenue North and 29th Avenue North, in the Myrtle Beach Resort area off US-17 Business, and in the Shore Drive neighborhood near Arcadian Shores

By traveler type

Is Myrtle Beach safe for you specifically?

Scam risk varies by traveler profile. Different types of visitors face different documented threats in Myrtle Beach.

Solo travelers

Standard risk

Solo travelers are more frequently targeted because they lack the deterrent of a group. Stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share itineraries with someone at home, and avoid deserted areas at night.

First-time visitors

Higher risk

Unfamiliarity with local pricing, transport, and norms makes first-time visitors prime targets. Read the full scam database for Myrtle Beach before arrival — knowing what scams exist is the single most effective protection.

Families with children

Lower risk

Families with children are less commonly targeted for scams involving nightlife or bar areas. Standard precautions apply: use vetted transport, keep documents secured, and brief children on not accepting gifts from strangers.

Budget travelers

Higher risk

Budget travelers spending time in hostels, using street food, and booking last-minute tours face increased exposure to accommodation scams, fake tour operators, and currency exchange fraud.

Where risk concentrates

Areas to be cautious in Myrtle Beach

These locations are specifically cited in documented scam reports for Myrtle Beach. Exercise heightened awareness in these areas.

Timeshare "Free Gift" Presentation Bait

Kiosks at Broadway at the Beach near Celebrity Square, information booths along Kings Highway (US-17 Business) between 21st Avenue North and 38th Avenue North, and resort check-in desks at timeshare properties clustered around the Ocean Drive and Grandiose Strand corridors

high

"Information Booth" Timeshare Disguise

Booth locations at the main entrance of Broadway at the Beach (1325 Celebrity Circle), near the Myrtle Beach Convention Center at 2101 N Oak Street, and along the stretch of Kings Highway (US-17 Business) between 21st and 48th Avenues North where resort properties cluster

medium

"Contest Winner" Timeshare Telemarketing Call

Calls originate from companies operating out of sales centers along Kings Highway and US-501 (College Road) in the Myrtle Beach resort corridor; victims are directed to properties in the Arcadian Shores and Grande Dunes areas

medium

Fake Vacation Rental Listings

Fake listings most commonly advertise units on Ocean Boulevard between 1st Avenue North and 29th Avenue North, in the Myrtle Beach Resort area off US-17 Business, and in the Shore Drive neighborhood near Arcadian Shores

high

Seafood Restaurant Menu Bait-and-Switch on the Grand Strand

Seafood restaurants along Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, buffet strips on Restaurant Row (US-17 Business near 9700 North Kings Highway), and restaurants near Broadway at the Beach

medium

Risk breakdown

What types of scams occur in Myrtle Beach?

Street Scams

Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas.

20% of reports

Tour & Activities

Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping.

20% of reports

Restaurant Scams

Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks.

13% of reports

Online Scams

Fraudulent booking sites, phishing, fake reviews, and digital cons targeting travelers.

13% of reports

Other Scams

Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors.

13% of reports

Taxi & Transport

Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists.

7% of reports

Accommodation Scams

Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud.

7% of reports

Money & ATM Scams

Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons.

7% of reports

How serious?

Severity breakdown for Myrtle Beach

2 High — 13%

9 Medium — 60%

4 Low — 27%

Before you go

Quick safety checklist for Myrtle Beach

Before booking any tour or activity in Myrtle Beach, verify the operator has verifiable reviews on multiple platforms.

Street Scams scams are the most documented risk in Myrtle Beach — review those warnings specifically before you arrive.

Use app-based transport rather than street taxis, especially near Myrtle Beach's main tourist attractions.

Keep a physical copy of your passport, travel insurance policy number, and embassy contact in a separate location from originals.

If you are approached by someone offering unsolicited help, tours, or currency exchange, politely decline and walk away.

Report any scam to local police and to your country's embassy. Even if recovery is unlikely, reports help maintain accurate travel advisories.