
Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Chauddagram, Chattogram, Bangladesh
1. Rickshaw Overcharging
Avoid overpaying for rickshaw rides by negotiating fares before starting the journey and sticking to them.
- Pre-Negotiation: Negotiate the fare with the driver before hopping into the rickshaw.
- Avoiding Peak Hours: Travel during off-peak hours to lower the chance of overcharging.
- Knowledge of Local Rates: Gain knowledge about standard rickshaw rates in Chauddagram before your visit.
2. Fake Guides
Avoid scams by hiring registered guides and researching their reputation beforehand.
- Registration Verification: Ensure your guide is officially registered with local tourism authorities.
- Online Reviews: Check online reviews for guides before making a decision.
- Local Knowledge: Ask potential guides about their familiarity with Chauddagram to gauge their expertise.
3. Tourist Trap Restaurants
Avoid overpriced or low-quality food by researching restaurants and asking locals for recommendations.
- Online Reviews: Check online reviews for popular local eateries before dining.
- Locals' Recommendations: Ask friendly locals for recommendations on where to eat.
- Food Quality and Price: Evaluate the food quality, cleanliness, and price before choosing a restaurant.
4. Counterfeit Goods
Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods by buying from reputable shops and haggling for lower prices.
- Reputable Shops: Buy from established, well-known stores to minimize the risk of fake items.
- Haggling Skills: Develop haggling skills to negotiate prices and find fair deals.
- Product Research: Research the authenticity of local products before making a purchase.
5. Street Vendor Scams
Avoid purchasing low-quality or overpriced items by bargaining with vendors and buying from established markets.
- Bargaining Skills: Develop bargaining skills to negotiate prices with street vendors.
- Established Markets: Visit established markets known for quality products and lower prices.
- Local Prices Comparison: Compare prices with other vendors to ensure fairness.
6. Money Exchange Scams
Avoid getting ripped off at money exchanges by researching exchange rates and using reputable services.
- Exchange Rate Knowledge: Stay updated on current exchange rates to avoid being overcharged.
- Reputable Exchange Services: Use well-established money exchange services with good reviews.
- Negotiating Commission Rates: Negotiate the commission rate before exchanging currency.
7. Transportation Tickets
Avoid buying fake transportation tickets by purchasing them at authorized vendors and inspecting them carefully.
- Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets from approved ticket booths or stations.
- Ticket Inspection: Inspect the ticket for any irregularities before boarding transportation.
- Asking for Help: Ask locals or transportation staff if you're unsure about purchasing a ticket.
8. Unauthorized Taxi Services
Avoid unlicensed taxi services by using ride-sharing apps or authorized taxi services.
- Ride-Sharing Apps: Utilize popular ride-sharing apps like Uber or Grab.
- Authorized Taxi Services: Use authorized taxi services with easily identifiable vehicles and uniformed drivers.
- Pre-Trip Research: Research available transportation options before your visit to Chauddagram.
9. Hotel Scams
Avoid overpaying or staying at low-quality hotels by researching accommodations and reading reviews before booking.
- Online Reviews: Read online reviews for various hotels to ensure quality and fair pricing.
- Booking Websites: Use reliable booking websites to compare prices and amenities across different hotels.
- Locality and Safety: Choose a hotel that is centrally located and safe for tourists.
10. Accommodation Overbooking
Avoid being left without a place to stay by booking accommodations well in advance.
- Advance Booking: Book your accommodation as early as possible to secure your room.
- Multiple Backup Options: Have multiple backup accommodation options in case of overbooking issues.
- Flexible Travel Dates: Be flexible with your travel dates to increase the chances of finding available accommodations.
11. Sim Card Scams
Avoid overpaying for SIM cards by researching providers and shopping around.
- Provider Research: Research the best SIM card providers in Chauddagram.
- Price Comparison: Compare prices among various providers to find the best deal.
- Official Shops Only: Purchase SIM cards only from official shops or authorized dealers.
12. Tourist Attraction Scams
Avoid overpaying for entrance fees or being scammed at tourist attractions by researching entry prices and checking official websites.
- Official Websites: Find official websites of tourist attractions for accurate information.
- Entrance Fee Research: Research the standard entrance fees for each attraction.
- Asking for Help: Ask locals or tourist information centers about the official prices and any hidden fees.
13. Fraudulent Money Transfers
Avoid money transfer scams by only using trusted money transfer services and double-checking transactions.
- Reputable Transfer Services: Use well-established money transfer services with good reviews.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication for your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
- Careful Transaction Checks: Double-check transactions before submitting them to ensure their validity.
14. Counterfeit Money
Avoid receiving counterfeit money by exchanging large amounts at reputable banks or exchange services.
- Reputable Exchange Services: Exchange larger amounts of currency at authorized banks or exchange services.
- Inspection and Counting: Carefully inspect and count your exchanged money immediately to ensure its authenticity.
- Currency Exchange Receipts: Retain receipts for currency exchange transactions as proof of the transaction.
15. Airport Scams
Avoid airport scams by staying vigilant and only using authorized services.
- Authorized Services Only: Use only authorized services within the airport.
- Asking for Help: Ask airport staff if you're unsure about a service or offer.
- Securing Valuables: Keep your valuables secure, especially when leaving the airport area.