Other Tourist Scams in Myrtle Beach, USA

How it works

Visitors who have previously stayed in the Myrtle Beach area — or who have left their contact information at any resort, golf package booth, or attraction — frequently receive phone calls or mailers claiming they have been selected as a contest winner and have won a free vacation stay in Myrtle Beach. The prize is conditional on attending a vacation ownership presentation. The free stay carries restrictions: specific non-peak dates, mandatory couples attendance, and a refundable "deposit" of $50–100 that is rarely returned without a dispute. These calls are legal under FTC rules but designed to mislead.

How it works

Private parking lots near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard are a source of complaints from visitors who park in what appear to be clearly signed commercial lots and return to find their vehicles towed or booted. Signage restrictions and rates are often posted only at lot entrances in small print, and tow operators with exclusive contracts patrol aggressively — sometimes moving vehicles within minutes of a violation. Retrieval costs for towed vehicles in Horry County typically range from $175–250 plus storage fees, and lots are often not located near the impound yard, which charges for each additional day.