Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Pune, Mahārāshtra, India

1. Auto-rickshaw Scam

Avoid overcharging by auto-rickshaw drivers; ensure meter is used or negotiate fare before riding.

Meter Usage: Ensure the driver uses a meter for fair pricing.
Negotiation: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey.
Overcharging: Be aware of potential overpricing and don't hesitate to haggle.

Avoid fake tourist guides offering their services; use only registered guides provided by DDPMT or tour operators.

Registration: Ensure the guide is officially registered and authorized.
DDPMT Guides: Use guides provided by the Directorate of Tourism, Maharashtra (DDPMT).
Tour Operator: Book guided tours through trusted tour operators.

Avoid being sold faulty or overpriced SIM cards; buy from authorized retailers or Airtel Store outlets.

Avoid fraudulent counseling centers offering study visa assistance; use only recognized institutions or consult reputable immigration experts.

Recognized Institutions: Use well-known and accredited educational institutions.
Immigration Experts: Consult immigration experts with a good reputation for visa assistance.
Fraudulent Centers: Stay away from dubious counseling centers.

Avoid eating at unhygienic roadside food stalls; opt for established restaurants or eateries with a good reputation.

Reputable Eateries: Choose eateries that have a good reputation and are well-known in Pune.
Hygiene: Ensure the food is prepared hygienically to avoid falling ill.
Unhygienic Stalls: Avoid roadside stalls that lack proper hygiene conditions.

Avoid overpriced or fake taxi services; use prepaid taxis from Pune Airport or book with a trusted taxi service.

Prepaid Taxis: Use prepaid taxi services at the Pune Airport.
Trusted Taxi Service: Book taxis through reputable service providers in advance.
Overpricing: Watch out for overpriced taxi rides and negotiate the fare beforehand.

Avoid purchasing jewelry from street vendors; shop at authorized jewelers or reputable stores in markets like Camp and Fashion Street.

Authorized Jewelers: Purchase jewelry from authorized jewelers.
Reputable Stores: Visit reputable stores in markets like Camp and Fashion Street.
Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing jewelry from street vendors or small shops.

Avoid fake spiritual gurus offering astrology, numerology or tantra services; research and verify their credentials.

Credential Verification: Investigate the background of the spiritual guru before visiting them.
Astrology, Numerology and Tantra Services: Be cautious when using these services as they can be exploited.
Fake Gurus: Stay away from fake spiritual leaders who may scam you.

Avoid losing your clothes or being charged for damages by using reputable laundry services.

Reputable Laundry Services: Use well-known and established laundry services.
Lost Clothes: Be careful not to lose your clothes at untrustworthy laundromats.
Damages: Ensure that your clothes are returned without damages.

Avoid being cheated by money changers; use authorized money exchange centers or banks.

Authorized Money Exchange Centers: Use authorized money exchange centers for your currency exchanges.
Banks: Consider using banks to exchange your foreign currency.
Cheating: Be wary of money changers who may try to cheat you.

Avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi networks; use VPNs or cellular data to browse the internet safely.

VPNs: Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for secure browsing.
Cellular Data: Opt for cellular data when using your mobile device.
Unsecured Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks as they can be risky.

Avoid bus conductors demanding extra fare or fake ticket sellers; use only municipal corporation buses.

Municipal Corporation Buses: Ride only municipal corporation buses for a hassle-free journey.
Extra Fare: Be cautious of conductors demanding extra fare and never pay them.
Fake Ticket Sellers: Avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized ticket sellers.

Avoid inflated fares by rickshaw pullers; negotiate the fare before riding or use prepaid auto-rickshaws.

Negotiation: Always negotiate the fare with the rickshaw puller before starting your journey.
Prepaid Auto-Rickshaws: Use prepaid auto-rickshaws for a hassle-free and fair pricing experience.
Inflated Fares: Be aware of potential inflated fares by unscrupulous rickshaw pullers.

Avoid being overcharged or pickpocketed on local trains; keep personal belongings secure and avoid displaying valuables.

Personal Belongings: Keep your personal belongings secure during the journey.
Valuables: Don't display valuable items to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
Overcharging and Pickpocketing: Be cautious of ticket collectors demanding extra fare or pickpockets on local trains.

Avoid being cheated by unscrupulous temple priests; verify their credentials and don't hand over valuable items for 'blessings'.

Credentials Verification: Check the credentials of temple priests before accepting any service.
Valuable Items: Don't hand over valuable items for 'blessings' to avoid scams.
Unscrupulous Temple Priests: Stay away from unscrupulous temple priests who may try to cheat you.