Is Phoenix Safe in January 2026?

Many Phoenix-area resorts and hotels advertise a base rate online, then add mandatory resort fees of $20–$50+ per night at checkout. These fees cover amenities such as pool, wifi, and gym that most guests assume are included in the rate. The practice is widespread in the Scottsdale luxury resort corridor.

How to avoid: Search for the total nightly cost including all fees before booking. Check the hotel's own site for the resort fee disclosure. Ask about fees when making a reservation and get the total in writing.

Shops, galleries, and market vendors across the Phoenix metro sell jewelry falsely marketed as handmade by Native Americans. Items are mass-produced in the Philippines or China, often stamped with fake artist initials. Prices range from cheap to hundreds of dollars under a discounted markup to simulate authenticity.

How to avoid: Purchase only from established, licensed dealers or directly from tribal markets. Look for claw clasps (authentic pieces don't use them), avoid items sold in bulk lots, and ask for a written certificate of Indian-made authenticity under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

Skimming devices are installed on ATMs at convenience stores, bank drive-throughs, and gas stations across Phoenix and Scottsdale. Criminals capture card data and PINs via hidden overlays and cameras. Multiple organized rings have been arrested but the activity remains persistent.

How to avoid: Use tap-to-pay or chip transactions whenever possible. Wiggle the card reader before inserting your card. Prefer ATMs inside bank lobbies. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

At resort hotels and vacation rental areas in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix metro, representatives posing as hotel concierge staff or "activity desks" offer free tickets to attractions, restaurant vouchers, or discounted tours in exchange for attending a "short" 90-minute presentation. The presentation is a high-pressure timeshare sales pitch that typically runs 3–5 hours, with exit made deliberately difficult. Some reps approach guests at resort pools or check-in lobbies.

How to avoid: Never agree to any presentation in exchange for a gift or activity voucher. Verify with the actual hotel front desk whether the person approaching you is a hotel employee. If you are interested in local activities, book directly through verified tour operators or the hotel concierge, not through unsolicited offers in the lobby or pool area.

Unofficial drivers park near stadiums, concert venues, and Sky Harbor Airport displaying printed Uber/Lyft signs in their windshields. They approach tourists offering rides at inflated rates — often 2–3x the real cost — and in some cases passengers have been robbed.

How to avoid: Only request rides through the official Uber or Lyft app. Verify the driver's name, photo, and license plate in the app before entering any vehicle. Never accept rides from anyone who approaches you first.