Some regions of the UK are hotbeds of fraudulent activity. London is a prime example, with many devious schemes taking root there.

After all, research from 2019 saw the capital crowned as the capital of scamming and fraudulent activity in the UK. The news may be somewhat out of date. Still, considering how much more vulnerable the public is after the two-punch events of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, it’s likely the devious minds behind these schemes are more ruthless than ever.

So, how can Londoners better protect themselves from all of these deceptions? The guidance below should help.

Ticket Etiquette

London is a hub of culture and entertainment. People purchase tickets for any number of things; tourist attractions, West End theatre performances, and concerts from mainstream musicians. There’s always something going on. However, because the top West End theatre ticket prices have risen significantly since the pandemic, these factors create perfect conditions for scammers to emerge. They capitalise on people’s desperation, have offers that are too good to be true, and generally attempt to make a bad situation worse for everyone but themselves.

Therefore, knowing what to look for to secure tickets for your favourite shows is important. Always purchase your ticket from the reputable venue or vendor that the establishment uses. Avoid street sellers. For the West End, your ticket should clearly show other information, too; the name of the production, seat numbers, the venue’s address, accurate dates and times, the company name, your order number, and the ticket selling price and face value. Watch for any irregularities, as they can give away a scammer’s game.

Utilise Trustworthy Tradesperson Platforms

Of course, not all scams take place in the London showbiz world. There’s plenty of room for deception amongst other trades in the capital. Some people encounter these devious tricks when looking for a tradesperson to carry out work at their property. Unreasonable quotes, half-finished projects, or even complete no-shows can be commonly dealt with if suitable preparations aren’t carried out in finding a reliable tradesperson beforehand.

There are trustworthy platforms that can connect you with specialists in the capital. For example, if you require a plumber in London, you can utilise the tools from MyBuilder to make that search easier. Post your job, review responses from tradespeople, and then browse their profiles, work history, and feedback before sharing your details. Free quotes are also available. You can also find vetted and reviewed London tradespeople via the same service.

Take the Underground

You’ll bypass many London scams by getting around via The London Underground. Prioritise that mode of transportation where you can. Some London cabbies can deliberately take the longer route with their customers. The further they travel, the more their passenger has to pay. Not all of them engage with these practices, but enough of them do for you to be justified in being cautious.

Taking the Tube means you’ll also avoid most street scammers and pickpockets. You’ll enjoy a direct line to where you’re going, and while some people think scams still take place underground, some of them can be contested as false alarms, so you shouldn’t worry overmuch. Ultimately, you can still enjoy London, but key manoeuvres are sometimes necessary to keep you on a safer, scam-free path.