Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bettiah, Bihār, India

All Topics about Bettiah All Cities in India

1. Rickshaw Overcharging

Avoid getting overcharged by rickshaw drivers. Always negotiate the fare before starting the ride.

Knowledge of Local Rates: Understanding the standard rates for rickshaws in Bettiah can help you avoid overpaying.
Bargaining Skills: Practicing your bargaining skills can help you get a reasonable fare.
Avoid Peak Hours: Avoid traveling during peak hours to avoid overcrowded rickshaws and potential overcharging.

Be cautious of unauthorized tour guides who may lead you to scammy shops or overcharge. Stick to reputable tour operators.

Research Reputable Operators: Researching and choosing a reputable tour operator can help ensure a genuine tour experience.
Check for Licenses: Ensure your guide has the necessary licenses to operate in Bettiah.
Avoid Isolated Areas: Avoid venturing into isolated areas with unverified guides. Stick to main tourist spots.

Be vigilant when accepting change or paying for goods. Check bills for authenticity.

Knowledge of Indian Currency: Familiarize yourself with the latest design of the Indian Rupee notes.
Inspect Bills Carefully: Inspect bills for any imperfections, such as watermarks, security threads, and raised printing.
Use ATMs from Reputable Banks: Withdraw cash from ATMs of reputable banks to minimize the risk of counterfeit notes.

Avoid restaurants that appear to overcharge for food or drinks. Stick to local eateries with fixed prices.

Knowledge of Local Prices: Researching the average price for meals in Bettiah can help you avoid overpaying.
Avoid Tourist Areas: Avoid eating in restaurants located near tourist attractions, as they often charge higher prices.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on affordable eateries to enjoy authentic and reasonably-priced meals.

Be cautious of temples that demand donations. Not all temples in Bettiah require donations.

Research Temples: Researching the temples you plan to visit can help you determine if donations are expected.
Avoid High-Pressure Donation Requests: Do not feel pressured to make large or unexpected donations. Only contribute if you wish to do so willingly.
Stick to Established Temples: Stick to established and popular temples to minimize the risk of encountering scams.

Avoid shops that claim to sell rare or expensive gems at suspiciously low prices. Do your research and shop cautiously.

Knowledge of Gem Prices: Familiarize yourself with the current market price for gemstones to avoid overpaying.
Avoid Suspicious Shops: Be wary of shops with few customers or a pushy salesperson.
Verify Gem Certificates: Request and verify gem certificates to ensure the authenticity of your purchase.

Avoid taxis that do not use a meter or refuse to turn it on. Use trusted ride-sharing services or pre-arranged transportation.

Knowledge of Prepaid Rates: Researching the prepaid rates for taxis can help you avoid overpaying.
Check for Meter Usage: Ensure that the taxi has a working meter and that it is turned on before starting your journey.
Use Pre-Arranged Transportation: Pre-arrange transportation services, such as rental cars or airport shuttles, to minimize the risk of scams.

Avoid being stranded by booking your accommodation well in advance and confirming your reservation upon arrival.

Book Early: Book your accommodation as early as possible to secure a room during peak travel seasons.
Confirm Reservations: Contact the hotel to confirm your reservation upon arrival, especially if you have not received any communication beforehand.
Check Reviews: Read reviews of hotels on reliable travel websites to ensure they have a good reputation for handling overbookings.

Avoid unlicensed money changers who may offer unfavorable exchange rates or provide counterfeit currency. Stick to reputable establishments.

Knowledge of Exchange Rates: Familiarize yourself with the current exchange rate for Indian Rupees.
Check for Licenses: Ensure that the money changer has a valid license to operate in Bettiah.
Avoid Isolated Locations: Avoid exchanging currency in isolated locations. Opt for well-lit, busy areas instead.

Be cautious of performers who demand payment or offer trinkets in exchange for a performance. Enjoy performances but be mindful of your belongings.

Enjoy Responsibly: Enjoy street performances, but be mindful of your personal belongings.
Do Not Engage in Unwanted Interactions: Avoid engaging in unwanted interactions with performers that may lead to scams or uncomfortable situations.
Avoid Distracting Performances: Be cautious of performances designed to distract you while someone picks your pockets or switches your belongings.

Avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Use a VPN or mobile hotspot for internet access.

Use a VPN: Using a virtual private network (VPN) can help protect your data when using public Wi-Fi.
Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, over unsecured networks.
Use Mobile Hotspot: Using a mobile hotspot can provide a more secure connection than public Wi-Fi networks.

Stay aware of your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure. Use anti-theft bags or pouches.

Awareness: Staying alert to your surroundings can help prevent pickpocketing.
Secure Belongings: Keep personal belongings secure, such as by using anti-theft bags or pouches.
Avoid Distractions: Avoid distractions, such as looking at maps or checking your phone in crowded areas, which may make you an easy target for pickpockets.

Bargain wisely and avoid overpaying. Be cautious of items that appear too good to be true.

Knowledge of Market Prices: Researching the average price for goods in local markets can help you avoid overpaying.
Avoid Suspicious Sellers: Be wary of sellers with few or no customers, as they may be scammers.
Inspect Items Carefully: Inspect items carefully before purchasing to ensure their quality and authenticity.

Ask permission before taking photographs of locals. Be cautious of anyone offering to take your photo in exchange for money.

Respect Cultural Norms: Respect local cultural norms by asking permission before taking photographs.
Avoid Suspicious Offers: Be cautious of anyone offering to take your photo in exchange for money, as they may try to scam you.
Use Common Sense: Use common sense and trust your instincts when deciding whether a situation is safe or not.

Avoid buying tickets from street vendors. Stick to authorized ticket booths or reliable online platforms.

Knowledge of Authorized Vendors: Researching the authorized vendors for events can help you avoid ticket scammers.
Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid buying tickets from street vendors, as they may sell fake or counterfeit tickets.
Check Online Platforms: Check reliable online platforms for legitimate ticket sales to avoid scams.