Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Guangming, Jilin, China
1. Taxi Scams
Avoid unlicensed taxis and overcharging by confirming the taxi is official with a visible license plate and meter. Always agree on fare before starting the journey.
- Visible License Plate: Ensure taxi has a clear, visible license plate
- Meter Functionality: Make sure the taxi meter is functioning properly
- Fare Agreement: Agree on fare before starting the journey to avoid overcharging
2. Counterfeit Goods Market
Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods by only shopping at authorized retailers or reputable markets. Be cautious of unusually low prices for popular items.
- Authorized Retailers: Shop at authorized retailers or reputable markets
- Popular Items Prices: Be cautious of unusually low prices for popular items
- Product Quality: Inspect product quality before purchasing to ensure authenticity
3. Currency Exchange Scams
Exchange currency at banks or authorized exchange centers to avoid receiving counterfeit money or being overcharged. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
- Bank or Authorized Exchange Centers: Exchange currency at banks or authorized exchange centers
- Offers Too Good to Be True: Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true
- Counterfeit Money Detection: Learn how to detect counterfeit money before receiving it
4. Tour Guide Scams
Hire a registered tour guide or use a reputable travel agency to avoid being overcharged or led to fraudulent attractions. Research the destination beforehand.
- Registered Tour Guide or Reputable Agency: Hire a registered tour guide or use a reputable travel agency
- Destination Research: Research the destination beforehand to avoid fraudulent attractions
- Overcharging Prevention: Avoid being overcharged by hiring a reliable guide or agency
5. Food and Beverage Scams
Eat at reputable restaurants or street food stalls with visible hygiene standards. Be wary of drinks being doctored with drugs.
- Reputable Restaurants or Street Food Stalls: Eat at reputable restaurants or street food stalls
- Visible Hygiene Standards: Ensure visible hygiene standards are met in the food establishment
- Drinks Safety: Be cautious when accepting drinks from unfamiliar sources to avoid being drugged
6. Accommodation Scams
Book accommodation at reputable hotels or online booking platforms to avoid substandard accommodations and overcharging. Research the accommodation before booking.
- Reputable Hotels or Online Booking Platforms: Book accommodation at reputable hotels or online booking platforms
- Accommodation Research: Research the accommodation before booking to avoid substandard accommodations
- Overcharging Prevention: Avoid being overcharged by booking through reliable channels
7. Friendly Tourist Approach Scams
Be wary of overly friendly locals offering help or friendship, as they may lead you to scams or attempt pickpocketing.
- Wariness towards Overly Friendly Locals: Stay cautious around overly friendly locals
- Pickpocketing Prevention: Keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings
- Scam Recognition: Recognize common scams to avoid falling victim
8. ATM Scams
Use ATMs located in banks or well-lit, busy areas to avoid skimming devices and card trapping scams. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- ATM Safety: Use ATMs located in banks or well-lit, busy areas
- Skimming Device Prevention: Avoid ATMs with suspicious devices attached
- Card Trapping Scam Prevention: Be cautious when inserting your card and monitor the machine for any unusual activity
9. Internet Café Scams
Use reputable internet cafés or hotels with reliable security measures to protect your personal information from theft.
- Reputable Internet Cafés or Hotels: Use reputable internet cafés or hotels
- Reliable Security Measures: Ensure the establishment has reliable security measures in place
- Personal Information Protection: Protect your personal information from theft by using secure networks
10. Festival Scams
Attend well-known festivals or events with reputable organizers to avoid ticket scams and overcharging. Research the festival before attending.
- Well-Known Festivals or Events: Attend well-known festivals or events
- Reputable Organizers: Ensure the event is organized by a reputable organization
- Overcharging Prevention: Avoid being overcharged by researching the ticket prices beforehand
11. Transportation Scams
Purchase transportation tickets from authorized vendors or stations to avoid counterfeit tickets and overcharging. Always validate your ticket before boarding.
- Authorized Vendors or Stations: Purchase tickets from authorized vendors or stations
- Counterfeit Ticket Prevention: Avoid counterfeit tickets by purchasing from reliable sources
- Ticket Validation: Validate your ticket before boarding to avoid issues during the journey
12. Beggar Scams
Be cautious when giving money to beggars as some may be part of organized scams or groups. Offer food instead.
- Organized Scam Prevention: Recognize signs of organized begging groups
- Food Offering: Offer food instead of money to support the local community
- Personal Safety: Maintain personal safety by not getting too close or involved with beggars
13. Local Currency Exchange Scams
Exchange large amounts of money at banks or authorized exchange centers to avoid being overcharged. Be wary of street vendors offering exchange services.
- Bank or Authorized Exchange Centers: Exchange currency at banks or authorized exchange centers
- Overcharging Prevention: Avoid being overcharged by exchanging large amounts at reliable locations
- Street Vendor Wariness: Be cautious when dealing with street vendors offering exchange services
14. Hotel Room Service Scams
Verify the authenticity of hotel room service requests by calling the front desk to confirm. Be wary of unofficial service providers.
- Front Desk Confirmation: Call the front desk to confirm any room service requests
- Unofficial Service Providers Wariness: Be cautious when dealing with unofficial service providers
- Personal Safety and Belongings Protection: Protect personal safety and belongings by verifying the authenticity of service requests
15. Public Wi-Fi Scams
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions as they may be insecure. Use a VPN if necessary.
- Sensitive Transaction Avoidance: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions
- VPN Use: Use a VPN if necessary to secure your connection
- Personal Information Protection: Protect personal information by not accessing sensitive data on public Wi-Fi networks