Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Āsansol, West Bengal, India

All Topics about Āsansol All Cities in India

1. Auto-rickshaw Overcharging

Avoid overpaying for auto-rickshaw rides by negotiating fares before starting the journey and insisting on using a meter.

Bargaining Skills: Having good bargaining skills can help you get a fair price.
Awareness of Fair Rates: Knowing the standard fare for your destination will help you avoid overpaying.
Meter Usage: Insisting on using a meter is an effective way to pay a fair price.

Avoid falling for fake tour guides by confirming the guide's affiliation with local tourist offices or reputable travel agencies.

Legitimacy Verification: Verifying the legitimacy of a tour guide can help avoid wasting money on a fraud.
Tourist Office Connection: Connecting with local tourist offices or reputable travel agencies can lead you to legitimate guides.
Online Research: Researching reviews and feedback on online platforms can help identify trustworthy tour guides.

Avoid buying counterfeit goods by shopping at reputable stores or markets with quality products.

Store Reputation: Choosing to shop at well-known and reputable stores will decrease the likelihood of purchasing counterfeit goods.
Quality Assurance: Inspecting the quality of items before purchase can help identify potential counterfeits.
Brand Authenticity: Ensuring that well-known brands have their authentic logos, packaging, and quality can help avoid buying fakes.

Protect your bank account by using ATMs located inside banks or reputable shopping centers and covering the keypad with your hand.

Secure ATMs: Using secure ATMs can reduce the risk of skimming.
Covering Keypad: Covering the keypad while entering your PIN can prevent keylogging attacks.
Monitoring Account Activity: Regularly monitoring account activity for suspicious transactions is crucial in detecting potential fraud.

Avoid mobile phone scams by purchasing phones only from authorized dealers and verifying the SIM card before using it.

Authorized Dealer Purchase: Purchasing a phone from an authorized dealer helps ensure its authenticity.
SIM Card Verification: Verifying the SIM card before use can help prevent scams associated with fraudulent phones.
Service Provider Registration: Registering your new phone with a local service provider will help protect your account from unauthorized access.

Avoid purchasing fake or compromised local SIM cards by buying them only from authorized service provider stores.

Authorized Store Purchase: Purchasing a SIM card from an authorized store ensures it is genuine and not compromised.
Proper Documentation: Ensuring that the vendor requests proper identification documents can help prevent fraudulent transactions.
Service Provider Support: Contacting the service provider for assistance and support in case of any issues or concerns.

Avoid dealing with unlicensed money changers by using authorized exchange centers or banks.

Authorized Exchange Centers: Exchanging money at authorized exchange centers or banks guarantees the transaction's legitimacy.
Checking Exchange Rates: Comparing exchange rates between different authorized providers can help ensure you get a fair deal.
Secure Transactions: Ensuring the transaction is secure and your money is handled properly will protect you from potential fraud.

Avoid food poisoning by selecting reputable street food vendors that appear clean and have a high turnover of customers.

Cleanliness: Choosing vendors with a clean and hygienic environment can minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
High Customer Turnover: Vendors with a high turnover of customers are more likely to serve fresh, properly prepared food.
Cooking Practices: Observing the vendor's cooking practices, such as handwashing and proper food storage, can help ensure safety.

Avoid fake taxi drivers by using only registered or reputable taxi services and confirming the driver's ID.

Registered Service Use: Using registered or reputable taxi services ensures the driver is legitimate.
Driver Identification: Confirming the driver's ID can help prevent dealing with an imposter.
Meter Usage: Insisting on using a meter will protect you from overcharging and other scams.

Avoid tourist trap restaurants by seeking recommendations from locals or using popular food apps for reviews.

Local Recommendations: Asking locals for restaurant recommendations can help you find authentic and affordable dining options.
Reviews and Ratings: Checking reviews and ratings on popular food apps can help identify quality restaurants that cater to both locals and tourists.
Menu Prices: Comparing menu prices with other restaurants in the area can help ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Avoid fake travel agencies by confirming their affiliation with local tourist offices or reputable travel companies.

Legitimacy Verification: Verifying the legitimacy of a travel agency can help avoid wasting money on a fraud.
Tourist Office Connection: Connecting with local tourist offices or reputable travel companies can lead you to legitimate agencies.
Online Research: Researching reviews and feedback on online platforms can help identify trustworthy travel agencies.

Avoid rickshaw puller fraud by negotiating fares before starting the journey and insisting on using a meter.

Bargaining Skills: Having good bargaining skills can help you get a fair price.
Awareness of Fair Rates: Knowing the standard fare for your destination will help you avoid overpaying.
Meter Usage: Insisting on using a meter is an effective way to pay a fair price.

Avoid unlicensed massage parlors by visiting only reputable establishments and checking for proper licensing.

Reputation and Reviews: Choosing a well-known and well-reviewed massage parlor can help ensure a quality experience.
Proper Licensing: Ensuring the massage parlor is properly licensed will guarantee the safety and legality of your visit.
Cleanliness and Hygiene: Inspecting the cleanliness and hygiene of the establishment before receiving a service can help avoid health risks.

Avoid gold jewelry scams by purchasing only from reputable stores with certificates of authenticity.

Store Reputation: Choosing to shop at well-known and reputable jewelry stores will decrease the likelihood of purchasing fake or low-quality items.
Certificates of Authenticity: Ensuring that the gold jewelry comes with a certificate of authenticity can help guarantee its quality and value.
Expert Inspection: Having an expert inspect the gold jewelry before purchasing can help identify potential scams.

Avoid overpaying for spices and textiles by shopping at local markets or stores that offer competitive prices.

Local Market Research: Researching spice and textile prices in local markets can help you find the best deals.
Competitive Pricing: Comparing prices between different stores or market vendors will ensure you get a fair price for your purchases.
Avoiding Tourist Areas: Staying away from tourist-focused areas can help avoid overpriced goods and find locally priced items.