Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Xingren, Guizhou, China

1. Taxi Fare Scam

Avoid overpriced taxi rides by agreeing on fare before starting the journey.

Unfamiliarity with Rates: Travellers may not know standard taxi rates.
Lack of Agreement on Fare: Some drivers might not agree on the fare before starting the ride.
Language Barrier: Communication difficulties may cause misunderstandings regarding the fare.

Avoid unofficial guides offering cheap services and leading you to overpriced stores.

Low Prices: Guides may offer their services at unusually low prices.
Pressure Tactics: Guides might use high-pressure tactics to convince you to hire them.
Store Recommendations: Guides often take tourists to overpriced shops or restaurants.

Avoid purchasing fake souvenirs by buying from authorized stores.

Low Prices: Counterfeit items are often cheaper than authentic products.
Superior Quality: Authentic souvenirs will be of higher quality compared to fakes.
Guarantees and Warranties: Authorized stores offer guarantees and warranties for their products.

Exchange currency at banks or authorized exchange centers to avoid getting short-changed.

Low Exchange Rates: Unauthorized vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates.
Lack of Receipt: Exchanges at unofficial locations often do not provide receipts.
Suspicious Behavior: Unauthorized vendors may show suspicious behavior or offer deals that seem too good to be true.

Book accommodations through reputable online platforms or reliable local agents.

No Proof of Reservation: Some landlords may claim that the accommodation is already booked, even though it isn't.
Low Prices: Accommodations offered at unusually low prices might be scams.
Requests for Advance Payment: Landlords may ask for advance payments before confirming the booking.

Stick to well-established street food vendors and avoid eating from unattended carts.

Unclean Preparation: Unhygienic preparation practices can lead to food poisoning.
Lack of Popularity: Food vendors without a crowd of customers may be less hygienic.
Visible Sanitation Issues: Avoid food carts with visible sanitation issues, such as flies or unclean surfaces.

Purchase tour tickets from authorized vendors to avoid ticket fraud.

Low Prices: Tickets offered at unusually low prices might be falsified.
Lack of Official Logo: Tour tickets without the official logo may not be authentic.
Suspicious Behavior: Vendors who seem suspicious or evasive may be selling falsified tour tickets.

Use secure internet cafes and avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.

Public Wi-Fi Vulnerability: Public Wi-Fi networks are susceptible to hacking.
Inadequate Security Measures: Internet cafes with poor security measures might store your personal information.
Identity Theft: Hackers can steal your sensitive information through insecure internet connections.

Use reliable cyber cafes with good reviews and ensure they have working antivirus software.

Malware Infection: Infected computers can transmit viruses to your devices.
Lack of Antivirus Software: Cyber cafes without antivirus software are more susceptible to malware infections.
Unsecure Sessions: Unsecured sessions can leave your online accounts vulnerable to hacking.

Be wary of unsolicited phone calls offering deals or asking for personal information.

Unsolicited Calls: You should not receive phone calls from unknown numbers offering deals.
Identity Theft: Scammers may try to steal your personal information over the phone.
Suspicious Behavior: Be wary of callers who act suspicious or use high-pressure tactics.

Use well-lit, busy ATMs and cover your PIN when entering it to avoid skimming scams.

Skimming Devices: Skimming devices can be attached to ATMs to steal your card information.
Camera Surveillance: Scammers may use cameras to record you entering your PIN.
ATM Location: Avoid isolated or dimly-lit ATMs that may be more susceptible to scams.

Carry essential items securely and avoid crowded areas with pickpockets.

Crowded Areas: Pickpockets often target crowded areas where it is easy to blend in.
Distractions: Scammers may distract you while picking your pockets.
Secure Possessions: Carry your essential items securely in a zippered pouch or bag.

Keep your luggage with you at all times and use secure storage facilities when possible.

Luggage Theft in Transit: Thieves may target your luggage while in transit or left unattended.
Theft from Hotel Rooms: Hotel rooms may be targeted for theft, especially if not securely locked.
Secure Storage Facilities: Use secure storage facilities when leaving your luggage unattended.

Purchase bus tickets from authorized vendors to avoid ticket fraud.

Low Prices: Tickets offered at unusually low prices might be falsified.
Lack of Official Logo: Ticket without the official logo may not be authentic.
Suspicious Behavior: Vendors who seem suspicious or evasive may be selling falsified bus tickets.

Purchase train tickets from authorized vendors to avoid ticket fraud.

Low Prices: Tickets offered at unusually low prices might be falsified.
Lack of Official Logo: Ticket without the official logo may not be authentic.
Suspicious Behavior: Vendors who seem suspicious or evasive may be selling falsified train tickets.