Key Takeaways
- The #1 reported scam is the The Scooter Rental Damage Claim
- Most scams in Bermuda are low-to-medium risk
- Use app-based ride services or official metered taxis instead of unmarked vehicles
- Never accept unsolicited offers from strangers near tourist sites in Bermuda
⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Keep phones and valuables in secure pockets when in crowded areas
- Use only licensed taxis or app-based ride services
- Book tours and tickets through verified operators with online reviews
- Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original
Jump to a Scam
The 3 Scams
You rent a scooter to explore Bermuda's winding roads -- it's the main way tourists get around ...
You rent a scooter to explore Bermuda's winding roads -- it's the main way tourists get around since rental cars aren't available to visitors. You return the scooter at the end of the day, and the rental agent circles it slowly before pointing out a scratch on the body panel and a scuff on the mirror. They want 300 dollars for repairs. You're sure the marks were there when you picked it up, but you didn't take photos. As Cruise Critic community members and travel safety guides note, scooter damage disputes are the most common tourist complaint in Bermuda. Without photographic evidence from the pickup inspection, it's your word against the rental shop's.
Red Flags
- The rental agent rushes through the initial inspection and discourages you from checking closely
- No detailed condition form is provided at pickup documenting existing damage
- The agent claims damage upon return that you're certain was already present
- They demand cash payment for repairs on the spot rather than processing through insurance
- The 'repair cost' seems disproportionate to the minor cosmetic damage claimed
How to Avoid
- Take detailed timestamped photos and video of every angle of the scooter before riding away
- Insist on a thorough walk-around with the agent and note every existing scratch on the rental form
- Rent from established companies like Oleander Cycles or Elbow Beach Cycles with clear policies
- Pay by credit card for chargeback protection if fraudulent damage charges arise
- Purchase the offered insurance coverage -- Bermuda roads are narrow and accidents are common for visitors
You step off the cruise ship at Dockyard and grab a taxi to Horseshoe Bay Beach.
The driver doesn't start the meter and quotes 35 dollars for the short ride. It sounds reasonable until another couple at the beach mentions they paid 15 dollars for the same trip. The government sets taxi rates at 3.25 dollars per mile, but some drivers quote inflated flat rates to cruise passengers who don't know the official tariffs. As travel guides and forums note, a taxi from Hamilton to Dockyard should cost around 55 dollars by meter, but some tourists report paying up to 80 dollars for the same route.
Red Flags
- The driver quotes a flat rate instead of starting the meter
- The meter is running but seems to increase unusually fast
- The driver takes a noticeably longer route than your phone's GPS suggests
- They add surprise charges for luggage, extra passengers, or 'Sunday surcharges' not posted anywhere
- The driver parks away from the official taxi rank to pick up passengers privately
How to Avoid
- Insist the meter is running from the start of every trip -- Bermuda taxi meters are government-regulated
- Know approximate fares: Dockyard to Hamilton is about 55 BMD, airport to Hamilton about 40 BMD
- Use Bermuda's excellent public bus and ferry system as a much cheaper alternative at 5 BMD per ride
- Ask your hotel to arrange taxi transport with a trusted driver at known rates
- Bermuda dollars and US dollars are interchangeable at 1:1 -- don't accept a worse exchange rate from drivers
You pay for souvenirs at a Hamilton shop with a 50-dollar US bill.
Your change comes back in Bermudian dollars, which look similar but aren't. Back home, your bank won't accept Bermudian currency, and exchange services charge a steep conversion fee -- if they accept it at all. The Bermudian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar on the island, but it's essentially worthless outside Bermuda. As travel forums and Bermuda currency guides warn, some shops deliberately give change in Bermudian dollars knowing tourists won't realize until they leave the island and discover the bills can't be spent or exchanged easily.
Red Flags
- You receive change in Bermudian dollars after paying with US dollars
- The cashier doesn't ask which currency you'd prefer for your change
- The shop primarily serves cruise passengers who won't discover the issue until they've sailed away
- Bermudian bills look similar to US currency but have different designs and say 'Bermuda' on them
- You accumulate a growing pile of Bermudian notes over several purchases
How to Avoid
- Ask specifically for change in US dollars when paying with US currency -- most shops will comply
- Check your change before leaving every shop to ensure you're receiving US dollars
- Spend any Bermudian dollars before leaving the island since they're difficult to exchange elsewhere
- Pay by credit card whenever possible to avoid the currency change issue entirely
- Exchange any remaining Bermudian dollars at the airport bank before your departure flight
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Metropolitan Police station. Call 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency). Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at met.police.uk.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy is at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US. For emergencies: +44 20 7499 9000.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
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