Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Jiangyin, China
1. Taxi Scam Alert
Avoid overcharging and unlicensed taxis by insisting on using a meter and only taking official cabs.
- Meter Use: Insist on using the meter to prevent overcharging
- Official Cabs: Only take official taxis with proper licenses
- Knowledgeable Locals: Ask locals for help in identifying official cabs
2. Counterfeit Goods Market
Stay away from street vendors selling fake branded items to avoid legal issues and poor quality products.
- Legal Issues: Purchasing counterfeit goods can lead to legal consequences
- Quality Concerns: Counterfeit products often have poor quality and durability issues
- Supporting Local Economy: Buying genuine goods supports local businesses and the economy
3. Scammy ATMs
Use bank or hotel ATMs to minimize risk of skimming and card trapping.
- Skimming Risk: Bank and hotel ATMs have better security measures against skimming
- Card Trapping: Avoid ATMs with obvious signs of tampering or poor quality
- Transaction Fees: Bank and hotel ATMs may have lower transaction fees compared to others
4. Overpriced Souvenirs
Bargain and shop around for souvenirs to ensure a fair price.
- Price Comparison: Compare prices at multiple shops before purchasing
- Bargaining Skills: Negotiate the price to get a fair deal
- Quality Assurance: Check the quality of souvenirs before agreeing on a price
5. Fraudulent Tour Guides
Book tours through reputable companies or travel agencies to avoid scams and ensure a quality experience.
- Reputable Companies: Research tour providers before booking
- Quality Experience: Avoid tours with unrealistic promises or overly aggressive sales tactics
- Trip Advisor Reviews: Check reviews on TripAdvisor and other travel websites for customer feedback
6. Street Food Safety
Choose busy street food vendors with high turnover to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
- Busy Vendors: Vendors with high customer traffic tend to maintain better food safety practices
- Fresh Ingredients: Look for vendors who use fresh ingredients and avoid any suspicious odors
- Cleanliness: Check the cleanliness of the vendor's surroundings, especially food preparation areas
7. Pickpocketing Prevention
Keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings to minimize the risk of pickpocketing.
- Valuable Storage: Store valuable items in a secure location, such as a money belt or hotel safe
- Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings and avoid crowded areas with poor visibility
- Crowded Tourist Spots: Exercise extra caution in popular tourist attractions, where pickpocketing is more common
8. Sim Card Scams
Purchase sim cards at official retailers to avoid fraudulent charges and service issues.
- Official Retailers: Buy sim cards from official retailers or authorized dealers
- Fraudulent Charges: Avoid unofficial vendors to minimize the risk of hidden fees and charges
- Service Coverage: Ensure that the sim card has adequate service coverage in the areas you will be visiting
9. Cyber Café Scams
Use trusted cyber cafes and be cautious of unknown USB devices to protect personal information.
- Trusted Cyber Cafes: Choose reputable cyber cafes with good reviews
- Unknown USB Devices: Avoid using unknown USB devices, as they may contain viruses or malware
- Password Protection: Use strong and unique passwords for all online accounts
10. Overpriced Accommodation
Research accommodation prices before traveling to avoid overpaying.
- Price Research: Compare accommodation prices online before booking
- Location: Consider the location of the accommodation, as prices may vary based on proximity to tourist attractions
- Reviews: Check reviews on booking websites for customer feedback and ratings
11. Unlicensed Massage Parlors
Visit licensed massage parlors to avoid illegal activities and ensure a quality experience.
- Licensed Massage Parlors: Choose parlors with proper licenses and certifications
- Quality Experience: Avoid parlors with poor hygiene or unprofessional staff
- Recommendations: Get recommendations from locals or other travelers for trusted massage parlors
12. Dodgy Bars & Clubs
Research bars and clubs before visiting to avoid scams and ensure a safe and enjoyable night out.
- Reputable Venues: Choose reputable bars and clubs with good reviews
- Drink Safety: Avoid accepting drinks from strangers or leaving your drink unattended
- Crowded Venues: Exercise caution in crowded venues, where pickpocketing is more common
13. Counterfeit Ticket Scams
Purchase tickets from authorized sellers or at the venue box office to avoid counterfeits.
- Authorized Sellers: Buy tickets from authorized ticket sellers or at the venue box office
- Counterfeit Detection: Inspect the ticket for any signs of tampering or poor quality
- Ticket Resellers: Avoid purchasing tickets from resellers, as they may be selling counterfeits
14. Currency Exchange Scams
Use reputable currency exchange services to avoid being ripped off.
- Reputable Services: Choose reputable currency exchange services with good reviews
- Hidden Fees: Avoid exchanges with high or hidden fees
- Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates at multiple services to get the best deal
15. Temple Scams
Donate only to legitimate offertory boxes and avoid persistent beggars in temples.
- Legitimate Offertory Boxes: Use official offertory boxes for donations
- Persistent Beggars: Ignore persistent beggars and focus on your religious experience
- Respectful Behavior: Follow temple rules, such as dressing modestly and removing shoes