Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Dazhou, China

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid taxis without meter or overcharging by agreeing on price beforehand and using registered cabs.

Registered Taxis: Officially registered taxis are easily identifiable and less likely to scam.
Meter Usage: Taxis with meters are the most reliable as they charge by distance travelled.
Avoiding Unmetered Taxis: Never use unmetered taxis to avoid overcharging.

Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods in street markets; authentic products are available at authorized shops.

Authorized Shops: Authentic products can be purchased from authorized shops.
Street Market Goods: Goods in street markets are likely to be counterfeit or low quality.
Check for Authenticity: Learn how to identify authentic goods before shopping.

Avoid unlicensed tour guides and verify the guide's identification; always book through reputable agencies.

Reputable Agencies: Book tours with reputable and verified agencies.
Tour Guide Licenses: Legitimate tour guides will have a valid license for guiding tours.
Avoid Unlicensed Guides: Never hire unlicensed or unverified tour guides to avoid scams.

Use only ATMs inside banks or hotel lobbies and cover the keypad when entering PIN to avoid skimming.

Bank ATMs: ATMs located within banks are safer as they have additional security measures.
Hotel Lobby ATMs: ATMs in hotel lobbies also provide a higher level of security.
Cover Keypad: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it.

Purchase tickets only from authorized outlets or online platforms; verify the authenticity of tickets before use.

Authorized Outlets: Tickets can be purchased from authorized outlets.
Online Platforms: Tickets are available on verified online platforms as well.
Verify Authenticity: Always verify the authenticity of tickets before use to avoid scams.

Book accommodations in advance through trusted booking websites or directly with hotels to avoid overpaying.

Trusted Booking Websites: Book accommodations on trusted online travel agencies.
Direct Hotel Bookings: Contact hotels directly for bookings to negotiate better rates.
Avoid Overpaying: Never overpay for accommodations by booking through unverified channels.

Avoid eating from street vendors that do not display a health certificate or use proper hygiene practices.

Health Certificates: Street food vendors with valid health certificates are safer to eat from.
Proper Hygiene Practices: Vendors using proper hygiene practices are less likely to cause illness.
Avoid Unsanitary Vendors: Never eat from unsanitary street food vendors to avoid foodborne illnesses.

Ignore calls from unknown numbers or suspicious callers, and never share personal information over the phone.

Unknown Numbers: Ignore calls from unknown numbers to avoid potential scams.
Suspicious Callers: Be wary of callers asking for personal information or money.
Personal Information Security: Never share personal information over the phone to maintain privacy and security.

Exchange money only at authorized money exchange centers or banks to avoid scams and poor exchange rates.

Authorized Money Exchange Centers: Authorized money exchange centers offer competitive exchange rates and are safer.
Banks: Banks also provide a secure and reliable option for exchanging currency.
Avoid Unlicensed Exchanges: Never exchange money with unlicensed or unverified providers to avoid scams.

Avoid interacting with police officers who ask for bribes or demand personal belongings; always verify their identification.

Legitimate Identification: Verify the officer's identification to ensure they are legitimate.
Avoid Bribes: Never offer bribes or pay fines without proper documentation.
Report Unlawful Actions: Always report unlawful actions by police officers to local authorities.

Inspect bills carefully for any inconsistencies and only use new or undamaged banknotes.

Inconsistencies: Look for signs of counterfeit money, such as imperfections or unusual features.
New or Undamaged Bills: Use only new and undamaged banknotes to reduce the risk of encountering counterfeit bills.
Pay Attention to Transactions: Keep track of transactions and check the change you receive for accuracy.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks as they can be insecure and potentially expose personal information.

Secure Connections: Always use a VPN or secure connection when accessing sensitive data online.
Personal Information Protection: Never enter sensitive information on public Wi-Fi networks to maintain privacy and security.
Avoid Unverified Networks: Only use verified and secure Wi-Fi networks when possible.

Exchange business cards only with trustworthy individuals and keep a record of their contact information.

Trustworthy Individuals: Exchange business cards with reliable contacts to maintain professional relationships.
Record Contact Information: Keep a record of contact information for future reference and to avoid mix-ups.
Avoid Unverified Contacts: Never exchange business cards with unverified or suspicious individuals.

Avoid rickshaws without a fixed price or meter; always negotiate the fare before starting your journey.

Fixed Price or Meter: Rickshaws with a fixed price or meter are more reliable as they charge a fair price.
Negotiate the Fare: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey to avoid overpaying.
Avoid Unregulated Rickshaws: Never use unregulated or unlicensed rickshaws to avoid scams.

Avoid returning lost items to individuals offering a reward, as they may be attempting to steal or swindle you.

Report Lost Items: Report lost items to local authorities or the police station.
Secure Storage: Store valuables in secure locations, such as hotel safes or locked luggage.
Avoid Unverified Individuals: Never return lost items to unverified individuals to avoid potential scams.