Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Pudong, China
1. Taxi Scams
Avoid unlicensed taxis or those using meters set to high rates. Always use official taxi services.
- Unlicensed Taxis: Illegal vehicles operating without proper permits
- Meter Tampering: Taxis with rigged meters charging higher fares
- Fleecing Tourists: Drivers taking longer routes or exaggerating fares
2. Fake Attraction Tickets
Beware of counterfeit tickets for popular tourist spots. Purchase only from authorized sales points.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Fake replicas of attraction tickets sold by scammers
- Unauthorized Sales Points: Locations other than official ticket booths or websites selling tickets
- Non-Existent Attractions: Scammers creating fake attractions to sell tickets for
3. Counterfeit Goods
Avoid buying counterfeit goods from street vendors. They may be illegal and of poor quality.
- Illegal Goods: Items manufactured without the owner's permission
- Poor Quality: Counterfeit goods often made with substandard materials
- Health Risks: Counterfeit products may pose a health risk to consumers
4. Currency Exchange Scams
Stick to reputable exchange offices and banks. Be wary of street vendors offering unfavorable rates.
- Unfavorable Rates: Exchange rates lower than the market average
- Currency Theft: Theft of money or traveler's checks during exchange process
- Counterfeit Money: Receiving counterfeit currency in return for valid money
5. Pickpocketing
Keep your belongings secure and avoid overtly displaying valuables. Be aware of crowded areas with high foot traffic.
- Crowded Areas: Public spaces where it's easy to blend in and commit a crime
- Valuable Display: Wearing or carrying items that attract attention
- Distraction Theft: Criminals using distractions, such as loud noises or spilled drinks, to steal belongings
6. Overpriced Souvenirs
Bargain and compare prices for souvenirs. Avoid shops near tourist attractions which often charge higher rates.
- Markup on Souvenirs: Prices inflated to capitalize on tourists
- Fake Souvenirs: Counterfeit souvenirs sold as genuine items
- Unwanted Purchases: Buying items that don't meet your expectations or have no practical use
7. Scams at Night Markets
Be cautious when shopping at night markets. Scammers may sell counterfeit goods or overprice items.
- Counterfeit Goods: Fake replicas of popular brands sold as originals
- Overpriced Items: Items marked at much higher prices than their actual value
- Dodgy Deals: Scammers offering deals that turn out to be scams or frauds
8. Credit Card Skimming
Protect your credit card information by only using secure payment terminals. Avoid making transactions in public places.
- Public Transactions: Using credit cards in public where skimming devices can be easily installed
- Skimming Devices: Devices used to copy credit card information without the owner's knowledge
- Unsecured Terminals: Payment terminals that are not secure or have been tampered with
9. Fraudulent Wi-Fi Hotspots
Be wary of free public Wi-Fi networks. They may be unsecured and used for data theft.
- Data Theft: Scammers intercepting data transmitted over the network
- Unsecured Networks: Networks without password protection or encryption
- Malware Infections: Devices becoming infected with malware when connected to the network
10. Tour Operator Scams
Research tour operators thoroughly before booking. Check reviews and ask for recommendations.
- Poor Quality Tours: Tours that don't meet the advertised standards or itinerary
- Fraudulent Operators: Operators who are unregistered or have a history of scams
- Overbooking: Tour operators overbooking tours and refusing service to some customers
11. Sim Card Scams
Purchase sim cards only from official retailers or authorized resellers. Be wary of street vendors selling expensive or counterfeit sim cards.
- Expensive Sim Cards: Sim cards sold at significantly higher prices than their actual value
- Counterfeit Sim Cards: Sim cards that do not work or have been tampered with
- Personal Data Theft: Scammers stealing personal data during the sim card registration process
12. Street Food Scams
Avoid eating from street vendors that don't appear clean or have poor hygiene practices. Stick to popular and well-reviewed food stalls.
- Unclean Vendors: Street vendors with dirty equipment or poor hygiene practices
- Foodborne Illness: Risks of foodborne illnesses from consuming contaminated food
- Counterfeit Food: Vendors selling counterfeit or low-quality versions of popular dishes
13. Accommodation Scams
Book accommodation through reputable channels such as hotel websites or trusted booking platforms. Be wary of listings that seem too good to be true.
- Fraudulent Listings: Listings for accommodation that do not exist or are significantly different from the advertised photos
- Low Quality Accommodation: Accommodations that do not meet the advertised standards or descriptions
- Theft and Harassment: Incidents of theft or harassment in unscrupulous accommodations
14. Friendly Scams
Be wary of overly friendly locals who seem eager to help. They may be trying to lead you into a scam or steal from you.
- Distraction Theft: Thieves using friendliness as a distraction to pickpocket or steal belongings
- Fraudulent Assistance: Scammers offering 'help' but leading you into a scam instead
- Money Requests: Friends asking for money under false pretenses or using emotional manipulation
15. Touts and Guides
Avoid touts offering unsolicited assistance. Only hire licensed guides or take recommended tours.
- Unlicensed Touts: Individuals without proper permits offering services illegally
- Overcharging: Touts asking for much higher prices than what is fair or standard
- Unreliable Guides: Guides who do not provide accurate information or take you to scam locations