Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Baotou, China

1. Silk Market Scam

Avoid overpriced goods at the Silk Market by bargaining aggressively or finding fixed-price shops.

Bargain Aggressively: Negotiate prices to get the best deal.
Find Fixed-Price Shops: Shops with fixed prices can offer better value than traditional bargaining.
Know Your Worth: Understand the market value of items to avoid overpaying.

Avoid taxi overcharging by using apps like Didi Chuxing or negotiating a fare before starting the journey.

Use Apps: Apps like Didi Chuxing offer fixed fares and prevent overcharging.
Negotiate Fare: Negotiating a fare before starting the journey can save money.
Know Common Routes: Knowing common routes and their average fares helps avoid overcharging.

Avoid counterfeit currency by inspecting bills carefully, using ATMs at reputable banks, or exchanging money at authorized exchange shops.

Inspect Bills Carefully: Check for inconsistencies in texture, color, and security features.
Use Reputable ATMs: ATMs at reputable banks are less likely to dispense counterfeit money.
Authorized Exchange Shops: Exchanging money at authorized exchange shops reduces the risk of receiving counterfeit currency.

Avoid coffee shop scams by paying attention to your bill and checking the change.

Pay Attention to Your Bill: Ensure that the items ordered are correctly charged.
Check Change: Always check that you receive the correct change.
Know Popular Prices: Be aware of the standard prices for common items in coffee shops.

Avoid fake tour guides by booking through reputable agencies or verified online platforms.

Book Through Reputable Agencies: Agencies with good reviews and a strong online presence are less likely to provide fake guides.
Verified Online Platforms: Platforms that verify guides can offer more reliable services.
Check for Licenses: Legitimate tour guides will have necessary licenses and permits.

Avoid street food scams by choosing busy stalls with a steady stream of customers.

Choose Busy Stalls: Busier stalls are more likely to be hygienic and serve safe food.
Watch Food Preparation: Ensure that food is prepared in a clean and sanitary manner.
Ask for Recommendations: Locals can often recommend safe and delicious street food options.

Avoid sim card scams by purchasing from official retailers or authorized dealers.

Official Retailers: Buying from official retailers ensures you get an authentic SIM card.
Authorized Dealers: Authorized dealers are contractually obligated to sell authentic SIM cards.
Check for Validity: Ensure the SIM card has a valid IMEI number and network coverage.

Avoid friendly scams by maintaining awareness of your belongings and being cautious when meeting strangers.

Keep Aware of Belongings: Never leave valuables unattended.
Be Cautious with Strangers: Avoid meeting strangers alone or sharing personal information excessively.
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.

Avoid temple scams by researching legitimate offerings and donation amounts before visiting.

Research Offerings: Understand the traditional offerings at each temple to avoid confusion.
Know Donation Amounts: Learn appropriate donation amounts for temples in Baotou.
Avoid High-Pressure Sales: Do not feel pressured to make larger or unnecessary donations.

Avoid hotel scams by booking through reputable platforms or directly with hotels that have good reviews.

Book Through Reputable Platforms: Platforms like Booking.com and Agoda offer secure bookings.
Hotels with Good Reviews: Hotels with positive reviews are less likely to scam customers.
Check for Extra Fees: Ensure that the quoted price is all-inclusive and there are no hidden fees.

Avoid transportation ticket scams by purchasing tickets from authorized vendors at official stations.

Authorized Vendors: Tickets purchased from authorized vendors are valid and authentic.
Official Stations: Stations with a clear official designation are less likely to sell fraudulent tickets.
Check for Validity: Ensure the ticket has a valid QR code and matches the fare displayed.

Avoid lost item scams by keeping valuables safe and secure, and reporting lost items to the police or local authorities.

Keep Valuables Safe: Always keep valuable items close and out of sight.
Report to Authorities: Reporting lost items to the authorities can help recover them quickly.
Be Vigilant: Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

Avoid money exchange scams by using reputable exchange shops or banks and verifying the exchange rate.

Reputable Shops or Banks: Exchange shops and banks with good reviews are less likely to scam customers.
Verify Exchange Rate: Compare the exchange rate offered with current market rates to ensure fairness.
Check for Validity: Ensure the exchange shop or bank is legally registered and has a valid license.

Avoid accommodation scams by booking through reputable platforms or directly with hotels that have good reviews.

Book Through Reputable Platforms: Platforms like Booking.com and Agoda offer secure bookings.
Hotels with Good Reviews: Hotels with positive reviews are less likely to scam customers.
Check for Extra Fees: Ensure that the quoted price is all-inclusive and there are no hidden fees.

Avoid ATM skimming scams by using well-lit ATMs in secure locations and monitoring your account for suspicious activity.

Well-lit ATMs: ATMs that are well-lit and in a busy, visible location are less likely to be tampered with.
Secure Locations: Avoid using ATMs in isolated or poorly lit areas.
Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your account activity for any unusual transactions.