Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Anshan, China

1. Anshan Taxi Scam

Avoid overpriced or unlicensed taxis. Always use official taxi stands or pre-book via reliable apps.

Official Stands: Use only designated taxi stands for safer rides
Reliable Apps: Pre-book taxis via trusted apps like Didi Chuxing or Alipay Taxi
Avoid Unlicensed: Avoid taxis without city licensing plates and official logos

Beware of counterfeit goods in local markets. Check for brand authenticity and quality.

Brand Authenticity: Look for recognizable holograms, packaging, or serial numbers.
Check Quality: Inspect items carefully before purchase to ensure they are genuine and in good condition
Avoid Suspicious Sellers: Stay away from sellers offering unusually low prices or suspicious-looking stores.

Be aware of unofficial exchange rates at street vendors. Use authorized banks or exchange centers.

Authorized Banks: Use only established banks for currency exchanges.
Exchange Centers: Visit official exchange centers in malls or tourist areas for a reliable exchange rate
Avoid Street Vendors: Stay away from street vendors offering exchange services, as their rates may be unfair.

Verify your tour guide's credentials and choose guided tours through reputable providers.

Reputable Providers: Choose guided tours offered by well-known companies like Ctrip or Klook.
Verify Credentials: Ask for tour guide's credentials and check for official identification.
Avoid Unofficial Guides: Stay away from unlicensed or unauthorized guides offering tours on the street.

Purchase attraction tickets from official outlets to avoid counterfeits. Check for holograms and serial numbers.

Official Outlets: Buy tickets at the attraction's ticket office or authorized sellers.
Check Holograms and Serial Numbers: Ensure your ticket has a hologram and serial number, as legitimate tickets usually do.
Avoid Suspicious Sellers: Stay away from street vendors selling attraction tickets at unusually low prices.

Buy SIM cards only from official stores or authorized resellers. Watch out for hidden charges.

Official Stores: Purchase a SIM card at the official store of the telecom provider.
Authorized Resellers: Buy from authorized resellers in malls or electronic stores.
Avoid Hidden Charges: Double-check the price, data package, and validity period before making a purchase.

Use trusted apps or VPN services to secure your information when using public Wi-Fi.

Trusted Apps: Use only trusted apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or iMessage while on public Wi-Fi.
VPN Services: Use a VPN service to encrypt your data and secure your connection.
Avoid Financial Transactions: Avoid making financial transactions or logging into sensitive accounts while on public Wi-Fi.

Choose reputable street food vendors with a long line of customers. Inspect food before eating.

Long Line of Customers: Look for popular street food vendors where many people are waiting.
Inspect Food: Check the cleanliness and freshness of the ingredients before eating.
Avoid Unsanitary Conditions: Stay away from vendors with unsanitary conditions, such as flies or dirty surfaces.

Know your rights when dealing with police officers. Do not provide unnecessary personal information.

Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations regarding police interactions.
Do Not Provide Unnecessary Information: Only provide necessary identification when asked by a legitimate officer.
Contact Embassy: In case of doubt or harassment, contact your embassy or consulate for assistance.

Book accommodations through reputable websites or agencies. Confirm reservation details upon arrival.

Reputable Websites or Agencies: Use well-known booking platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda.
Confirm Reservation Details: Upon arrival, check the reservation details and room conditions against your booking confirmation.
Avoid Last-Minute Changes: Do not accept last-minute changes without proper explanation or compensation.

Use ATMs located at banks or inside malls to avoid skimming devices. Monitor your account for unauthorized transactions.

Banks or Malls: Choose ATMs located within banks or malls for added security.
Monitor Account Transactions: Regularly check your account transactions to ensure there are no unauthorized ones.
Report Unauthorized Transactions: Contact your bank immediately if you notice any unauthorized transactions on your account.

Bargain prices for services like massage parlors or spas. Compare prices with other establishments.

Bargain Prices: Negotiate prices for services to get a better deal.
Compare Prices: Check the prices at different establishments and choose the most affordable one.
Avoid Overpriced Services: Stay away from services that seem excessively overpriced or unreasonable.

Check the menu prices before ordering. Settle the bill with a credit card to avoid overcharges.

Check Menu Prices: Go through the menu and estimate the total cost of your meal.
Settle Bill with Credit Card: Pay for your meal using a credit card to have a record of the actual charges.
Avoid Rounding Up Charges: Refuse rounding up charges or extra fees that seem unnecessary.

Stick to drinks with known prices. Be aware of drink spiking and only accept sealed bottles.

Known Prices: Choose drinks that have fixed prices or are commonly offered in the nightclub.
Avoid Drink Spiking: Keep your drink with you at all times and avoid accepting drinks from strangers.
Sealed Bottles: Insist on having sealed bottles for your drinks to prevent tampering.

Use reputable internet cafes. Set strong passwords and be cautious of computer usage.

Reputable Internet Cafes: Choose well-known internet cafes or those with positive reviews.
Strong Passwords: Use strong and unique passwords for your online accounts.
Cautious Computer Usage: Avoid using computers for sensitive activities like banking or personal information management.