Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

All Topics about Gorakhpur All Cities in India

1. Rickshaw Overcharging

Avoid paying excess for rickshaw rides by negotiating the fare before starting your journey.

Knowledge of Rates: Understanding the standard rates helps in avoiding overcharging.
Bargaining Skills: Negotiating effectively can help you secure a reasonable fare.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Travel during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of overcharging.

Be cautious while donating at temples and only contribute to designated boxes or authorized personnel.

Official Designations: Ask for the official designation of temple staff before making any contributions.
Designated Donation Boxes: Contribute only to clearly marked donation boxes or authorized personnel.
Researching Local Customs: Familiarize yourself with local customs and traditions before donating at temples.

Avoid unauthorized tour guides and verify their credentials before hiring their services.

Verification of Credentials: Check for valid licensing or registration documents of the tour guide.
Online Reviews: Read online reviews from previous customers to gauge their reliability and quality of service.
Recommendations from Trusted Sources: Seek recommendations from local authorities or reputable travel agencies.

Avoid exchanging money at unauthorized shops and always use licensed currency exchange outlets.

Licensed Outlets: Look for a valid license or registration number of the currency exchange shop.
Customer Reviews: Read reviews from previous customers to ensure quality service and fair exchange rates.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Exchange currency during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of fraud.

Purchase bus and train tickets only from authorized ticket counters or online platforms.

Authorized Ticket Counters: Only buy tickets from clearly marked ticket windows.
Online Booking Platforms: Book tickets on reputable online platforms to avoid counterfeit tickets.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Travel during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of scams.

Purchase items only from trusted vendors or reputable shops in local markets.

Trusted Vendors: Ask for recommendations from locals or return to the same vendor for multiple purchases.
Reputable Shops: Look for shops with positive reviews and good business practices.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Shop during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of encountering fraudulent vendors.

Use ATMs inside banks or reputable businesses to avoid skimming devices and ensure security.

Inside Banks or Businesses: Always choose ATMs located inside banks or reputable establishments.
Security Cameras and Lights: Look for security cameras and adequate lighting around the ATM.
Covering the Keypad: Always cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent shoulder surfing.

Book accommodations through reputable online travel agencies or verified local hosts.

Reputable Online Travel Agencies: Book accommodations on well-known and trustworthy online platforms.
Verified Local Hosts: Choose verified hosts or listings with positive reviews from previous guests.
Avoiding Off-site Transactions: Transact only through the official booking platform to avoid off-site scams.

Avoid overpriced local transportation by researching fair prices and negotiating before travel.

Fair Prices Research: Research the standard costs of local transportation before your journey.
Negotiation Skills: Develop negotiation skills to ensure you pay a fair price for your travel.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Travel during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of being overcharged.

Book tours only through reputable tour operators or verified local agencies.

Reputable Tour Operators: Choose well-known and trustworthy tour operators for your trips.
Verified Local Agencies: Opt for verified local agencies with positive reviews from previous customers.
Avoiding Off-site Transactions: Transact only through the official booking platform to avoid off-site scams.

Eat at reputable restaurants or street food vendors with good reviews.

Reputable Restaurants: Choose popular and well-known restaurants in Gorakhpur.
Street Food Vendors with Good Reviews: Look for street food vendors with positive reviews from locals or fellow travelers.
Avoiding Peak Meal Times: Eat during off-peak meal times to reduce the chances of encountering falsified food items.

Purchase souvenirs only from trusted vendors or reputable shops in local markets.

Trusted Vendors: Ask for recommendations from locals or return to the same vendor for multiple purchases.
Reputable Shops: Look for shops with positive reviews and good business practices.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Shop during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of encountering counterfeit souvenirs.

Develop bargaining skills and research standard prices to ensure fair deals in local markets.

Bargaining Skills: Learn the art of effective bargaining before visiting Gorakhpur.
Standard Prices Research: Research standard prices for items you wish to buy in local markets.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Shop during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of encountering unfair bargaining practices.

Purchase travel insurance only from reputable providers or through your travel agency.

Reputable Providers: Choose well-known and trustworthy insurance companies.
Through Your Travel Agency: Book travel insurance through your trusted travel agency.
Avoiding Off-site Transactions: Transact only through the official booking platform to avoid off-site scams.

Purchase medicines only from authorized pharmacies or reputable drugstores.

Authorized Pharmacies: Look for a valid license or registration number of the pharmacy.
Reputable Drugstores: Choose drugstores with positive reviews and good business practices.
Avoiding Peak Hours: Purchase medicines during off-peak hours to reduce the chances of encountering counterfeit drugs.