Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Gaomi, Shandong, China

All Topics about Gaomi All Cities in China

1. Gaomi Night Market Scam Warning

Avoid overpriced or counterfeit goods at Gaomi Night Market. Be wary of overzealous sellers offering 'special deals'.

Know Your Value: Research typical prices before shopping to avoid overpaying.
Stay Aware: Keep your belongings close and be aware of your surroundings to prevent distractions or pickpocketing.
Trust Your Gut: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts when shopping.

Avoid overpriced taxi rides by using licensed taxis or negotiating prices beforehand.

Use Licensed Taxis: Look for official licenses and logos to ensure your taxi is legitimate.
Know the Rates: Familiarize yourself with standard taxi rates before traveling.
Negotiate Prices: Negotiate prices for long distances or late-night rides to avoid overcharging.

Avoid fake tour guides who may lead you to tourist traps or overcharge. Always book tours through reputable agencies.

Research Reputable Agencies: Read reviews and check credentials of tour companies before booking.
Be Wary of Approaches: Ignore unsolicited offers from strangers, especially near tourist attractions.
Ask for Documentation: Request identification and certification from your tour guide to ensure legitimacy.

Avoid food poisoning by choosing clean restaurants, avoiding street food, and drinking bottled water.

Choose Clean Restaurants: Look for hygienic conditions in restaurants before eating.
Avoid Street Food: Street food can be risky, so consider sticking to cooked foods at reputable establishments.
Drink Bottled Water: Always drink bottled water to avoid contaminated tap water.

Avoid overpriced or fake attraction entrance fees by researching official rates before visiting.

Research Official Rates: Check the official websites of attractions for accurate admission prices.
Avoid Unofficial Guides: Ignore offers from unofficial guides who may try to charge inflated fees.
Check for Official Signs: Look for official signs and staff uniforms at attractions to ensure legitimacy.

Avoid poor exchange rates by exchanging currency at banks or authorized exchange centers.

Exchange at Banks or Authorized Centers: Exchange currency only at official banks and authorized exchange centers.
Check Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates between different establishments to find the best deal.
Avoid Street Exchanges: Street currency exchanges can be risky, so avoid them whenever possible.

Avoid overbooked hotels by booking in advance and reading reviews.

Book in Advance: Book your hotel well in advance to secure a room.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from other travelers to ensure the hotel is reputable and reliable.
Check for Cancellation Policies: Understand the cancellation policies of your chosen hotel to avoid being stuck without a place to stay.

Avoid fake accommodations by booking through reputable websites or agencies.

Book through Reputable Sites: Book your accommodation on well-known and reputable travel sites.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from other travelers to ensure the accommodation is legit and reliable.
Check for Contact Information: Always book accommodations with contact information available, in case of any issues.

Avoid ATM card skimming by using machines inside banks or well-lit, busy areas.

Use Bank ATMs: Use ATMs inside banks or well-protected areas to minimize the risk of skimming.
Protect Your PIN: Cover your hand while entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it.
Monitor Your Account: Regularly check your account balance and transactions for any suspicious activity.

Avoid credit card fraud by using secure Wi-Fi networks and keeping a close eye on transactions.

Use Secure Wi-Fis: Only use secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks when making online purchases.
Monitor Transactions: Regularly check your credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
Keep Your Card Safe: Never leave your credit card out in the open and always keep it in a safe place.

Avoid donating to bogus charities by researching organizations before giving.

Research Organizations: Check the legitimacy of a charity by researching its name and mission.
Ask for Documentation: Request documentation from charities, such as registration numbers or tax exemptions.
Be Wary of Aggressive Solicitors: Be cautious when approached by aggressive solicitors who may be part of a scam.

Avoid fake tourist police by verifying their ID and asking for help from local authorities.

Verify Their ID: Ask to see the officer's ID badge before providing any personal information.
Contact Local Authorities: If in doubt, contact local police or embassy for assistance.
Stay Alert and Aware: Trust your instincts and be alert to any unusual behavior from people claiming to be tourist police.

Avoid unlicensed money transfers by using reputable money transfer services.

Use Reputable Services: Choose well-known and established money transfer services.
Check for Licenses: Ensure the service is licensed in both the sending and receiving countries.
Secure Transfers: Use secure methods of transfer, such as online banking or cash pick-up.

Avoid bogus emergency medical services by seeking help from reputable hospitals or clinics.

Choose Reputable Hospitals/Clinics: Research and choose well-known and reputable hospitals or clinics.
Ask for Documentation: Request documentation from the medical facility, such as licenses and certifications.
Stay Alert to Red Flags: Be wary of any red flags, such as aggressive selling or requests for large sums of money upfront.

Avoid internet café scams by using secure connections and protecting your personal information.

Use Secure Connections: Only use secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks.
Protect Your Personal Information: Never share personal information, such as passwords or financial details, over public computers.
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your accounts for any suspicious activity after using public computers.