Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bozhou, China

1. Bozhou Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced or non-functioning taxis by only using licensed cabs and agreeing on fares beforehand.

Recognizing Licensed Taxis: Look for official emblems and license plates.
Negotiating Fares: Always agree on a fare before starting the journey.
Using App-Based Taxis: Consider using app-based taxi services for fixed rates.

Avoid scams at tourist attractions by checking official ticket prices and visiting the main office for purchases.

Identifying Main Offices: Look for large, official-looking buildings near attractions.
Checking Official Prices: Compare ticket prices with information online or from reliable sources.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Beware of ticket sellers outside attractions, as they may offer fake tickets.

Ensure street food safety by choosing busy, well-attended stalls and avoiding undercooked or unhygienic dishes.

Choosing Busy Stalls: Look for crowded, popular street food stalls.
Avoiding Undercooked Foods: Make sure food is cooked thoroughly and avoid dishes that appear undercooked.
Checking Hygiene Standards: Look for clean, well-maintained stalls with proper sanitation facilities.

Avoid buying counterfeit goods by visiting reputable shops or markets and checking for quality.

Visiting Reputable Shops: Research shops and markets with good reputations.
Checking Quality: Inspect goods carefully for signs of poor quality or inconsistencies.
Comparing Prices: Compare prices with other shops and online marketplaces to ensure reasonable costs.

Avoid overpriced hotels by booking in advance, checking multiple platforms, and negotiating prices.

Booking in Advance: Make reservations well before your arrival to secure lower rates.
Checking Multiple Platforms: Compare prices across different booking platforms for the best deals.
Negotiating Prices: Attempt to negotiate prices, especially for last-minute bookings.

Avoid unlicensed tour guides by booking through reputable agencies and checking for official ID.

Booking Through Reputable Agencies: Choose tour agencies with good reviews and a proven track record.
Checking Official ID: Ask for official identification from guides before starting a tour.
Avoiding Street Solicitations: Decline offers from unlicensed guides soliciting on the street.

Avoid ATM fraud by using machines in well-lit, busy areas and covering the keypad while entering PIN.

Choosing Well-Lit Machines: Select machines that are located in well-lit, visible locations.
Covering the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent shoulder surfing.
Monitoring Your Account: Regularly check your account for any unusual activity after using an ATM.

Avoid currency exchange scams by exchanging money at banks or reputable exchange centers and checking rates online.

Exchanging Money at Banks: Opt for bank branches for currency exchange to minimize risks.
Checking Rates Online: Compare exchange rates with online sources before completing transactions.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Decline street vendor offers for currency exchange to reduce the risk of scams.

Avoid sim card scams by purchasing cards from official retailers and checking the SIM package for any hidden fees.

Purchasing From Official Retailers: Buy SIM cards at authorized retailers or mobile carrier stores.
Checking Hidden Fees: Inspect the SIM package for any additional charges not listed upfront.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Decline offers from street vendors to minimize the risk of sim card scams.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities by using a VPN and avoiding unsecured connections.

Using a VPN: Use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection when using public Wi-Fi.
Avoiding Sensitive Activities: Do not conduct sensitive activities, like banking, on unsecured networks.
Checking Wi-Fi Security: Avoid open or unsecured Wi-Fi connections and use password-protected networks when possible.

Avoid overpriced transportation by researching fair prices for each mode of transport and negotiating fares.

Researching Fair Prices: Gather information on the expected cost of transportation before your trip.
Negotiating Fares: Attempt to negotiate fares, especially for long distances or multiple passengers.
Avoiding Unofficial Transportation: Decline offers from unlicensed drivers and choose official transportation services instead.

Avoid tourist trap restaurants by seeking out local eateries and asking for recommendations from locals.

Seeking Out Local Eateries: Opt for smaller, more low-key eating establishments frequented by locals.
Asking for Recommendations: Ask locals or hotel staff for restaurant recommendations in the area.
Avoiding Overly Touristy Areas: Stay away from restaurants located in heavily touristic areas to minimize the risk of tourist traps.

Avoid buying fake guidebooks and maps by purchasing from reputable vendors or downloading reliable apps.

Purchasing From Reputable Vendors: Buy guidebooks and maps at authorized bookstores or online retailers.
Downloading Reliable Apps: Install trusted travel apps that offer maps, guides, and navigation tools.
Checking for Quality: Inspect guidebooks and maps carefully for poor print quality or inconsistencies in information.

Avoid fraudulent money changers by exchanging currency at banks or reputable exchange centers and confirming rates.

Exchanging Currency at Banks: Opt for bank branches for currency exchange to minimize risks.
Checking Rates: Compare exchange rates with online sources before completing transactions.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Decline street vendor offers for currency exchange to reduce the risk of scams.

Avoid buying counterfeit souvenirs by visiting reputable shops or markets and checking for quality.

Visiting Reputable Shops: Research shops and markets with good reputations.
Checking Quality: Inspect souvenirs carefully for signs of poor quality or inconsistencies.
Comparing Prices: Compare prices with other shops and online marketplaces to ensure reasonable costs.