Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bauchi, Bauchi, Nigeria

1. Bauchi Market Scam

Overpricing of goods and pickpocketing in bustling markets like Wuran Market. Avoid getting distracted or pressured to buy.

Awareness: Know the standard prices of common items.
Crowd Management: Stay aware and keep personal belongings secure.
Negotiation Skills: Haggle to get a fair price, don't accept the first offer.

Falsely accusing passengers of damaging vehicles or overcharging at Bauchi Motor Park. Verify the fare before entering a vehicle.

Skimming devices on ATMs in Bauchi. Use ATMs at well-lit and secure locations during daylight.

Location: Avoid using ATMs in dark or isolated areas.
Security Measures: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent shoulder surfing.
Card Monitoring: Regularly monitor your bank account for unauthorized transactions.

Malware or keyloggers installed on computers in internet cafes to steal personal information. Use trusted and reputable cybercafés.

Reputation: Ask for recommendations or research the reputation of a cybercafe before using it.
Security Measures: Use secure websites and avoid accessing sensitive information on shared computers.
Backup Data: Regularly backup important data to protect it from theft or loss.

Offering counterfeit money during currency exchange. Use licensed exchange centers for exchanging currency.

Licensed Centers: Exchange currency only at authorized and reputable centers.
Awareness: Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.
Verify Money: Check the authenticity of received currency before leaving the exchange center.

Thieves tricking victims into swapping their SIM card with an inactive one to gain access to personal information. Keep your SIM card secure.

SIM Security: Do not share your SIM card PIN with anyone.
Awareness: Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages asking for personal information.
Report Suspicious Activities: Immediately report any suspicious activities to your mobile network provider.

Misleading tourists about the authenticity of attractions or charging inflated prices. Use registered and reputable tour guides.

Registration: Only hire registered tour guides through a trusted source.
Awareness: Research the attractions and their admission fees beforehand.
Negotiation: Bargain for fair prices when hiring a tour guide or visiting attractions.

Overbooking or providing substandard accommodations. Book through reputable sources and verify the accommodation before arrival.

Reputation: Book accommodations through well-known travel agencies or websites.
Verification: Contact the accommodation provider for confirmation before arrival.
Online Reviews: Read online reviews and choose accommodations with positive feedback.

Serving contaminated or undercooked food. Stick to well-known restaurants and vendors.

Reputation: Choose popular, clean, and well-reviewed food vendors.
Cooking Practices: Observe the food handling practices of vendors before eating.
Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking bottled water and avoid ice made with unpurified water.

Fraudulent charities asking for donations. Verify the legitimacy of charities before donating.

Research: Research organizations before making a donation.
Awareness: Be cautious of individuals soliciting donations on the street.
Official Documentation: Ask for official documentation showing the charity's legitimacy.

Finding lost items and later asking for a reward or demanding money. Keep personal belongings secure.

Overcharging for taxi rides or taking longer routes. Use registered taxis and negotiate the fare before starting the journey.

Registration: Only use registered taxis that have a meter.
Awareness: Be cautious of taxi drivers who try to avoid using the meter.
Fare Negotiation: Negotiate the fare before starting the journey and agree on a price based on the destination.

Providing substandard accommodations or overcharging for rooms. Book through reputable sources and verify the accommodation before arrival.

Reputation: Book accommodations through well-known travel agencies or websites.
Verification: Contact the accommodation provider for confirmation before arrival.
Online Reviews: Read online reviews and choose accommodations with positive feedback.

Becoming friends with someone for the purpose of exploiting you financially. Be cautious of strangers offering friendship or help.

Awareness: Be wary of overly friendly individuals, especially those asking for favors or financial assistance.
Information Sharing: Limit the personal information you share with strangers.
Trust and Verification: Verify the identity and intentions of individuals before sharing sensitive information or money.

Selling fake tickets for popular events. Buy tickets only from authorized sources.

Authorization: Purchase event tickets only from authorized ticket outlets or websites.
Awareness: Be cautious of individuals selling tickets on the street or online without proper authorization.
Event Information: Research events and their ticket prices to avoid overpaying for fake tickets.