Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Handan, China
1. Taxi Scams
Avoid overpriced taxi rides by insisting on a meter or negotiating the price beforehand.
- Meter Use: Ensure taxi uses meter to calculate fare
- Negotiation: Negotiate price before starting the journey
- Legitimate Taxis: Only use licensed, official taxis
2. Counterfeit Goods Market
Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods from street vendors, as they may be of poor quality or even dangerous.
- Quality Assurance: Buy from reputable shops for quality assurance
- Legal Concerns: Counterfeit goods are illegal and may lead to legal issues
- Supporting Local Economy: Buying genuine items supports local economy and creators
3. Fake Tour Guides
Avoid unofficial tour guides who may lead to scams or poor quality experiences.
- Official Certification: Ensure your guide has an official certification
- Reputable Tour Operators: Book tours through reputable, established tour operators
- Research: Research the attraction beforehand to ensure authenticity
4. Currency Exchange Scams
Avoid unofficial currency exchanges and always check exchange rates beforehand.
- Official Exchanges: Use authorized, official currency exchange locations
- Rate Checking: Compare exchange rates beforehand to avoid unfavorable deals
- Watch for Fake Bills: Be cautious of receiving counterfeit bills during transactions
5. Attraction Ticket Scams
Avoid purchasing attraction tickets from unauthorized sellers who may offer fake or overpriced tickets.
- Official Ticketing Counters: Purchase tickets at official ticketing counters
- Online Booking: Book tickets online to avoid scams
- Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing tickets from street vendors
6. Food Poisoning
Avoid eating at unsanitary food stalls and ensure cooked food is fully prepared before consumption.
- Hygiene Standards: Choose food stalls with proper hygiene standards
- Cooked Food: Ensure cooked food is fully prepared before consumption
- Street Vendor Reputation: Research popular, reputable street vendors
7. Accommodation Scams
Avoid overpriced or low-quality accommodations by researching and booking through established travel websites.
- Established Travel Websites: Book accommodations through reputable, established travel websites
- Price Comparison: Compare prices on multiple booking platforms before deciding
- Location: Choose accommodations in safe, convenient locations
8. Transportation Ticket Scams
Avoid purchasing transportation tickets from unauthorized sellers who may offer fake or overpriced tickets.
- Official Ticketing Counters: Purchase tickets at official ticketing counters
- Online Booking: Book transportation tickets online to avoid scams
- Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing tickets from street vendors
9. Friendship Scams
Be cautious of overly friendly locals who may offer assistance but lead to scams or personal danger.
- Travel in Groups: Travel with others to minimize risks
- Stick to Known Areas: Avoid wandering into unfamiliar, deserted areas alone
- Common Sense: Use common sense and trust your intuition when meeting new people
10. Credit Card Fraud
Avoid using credit cards for small transactions or in untrusted locations to minimize the risk of fraud.
- Secure Transactions: Use secure, reputable ATMs and payment terminals
- Cash Transactions: Consider using cash for small transactions
- Monitor Statements: Regularly monitor credit card statements for unusual activity
11. SIM Card Scams
Avoid purchasing SIM cards from unauthorized vendors who may provide faulty or hacked SIM cards.
- Official Retailers: Purchase SIM cards from official retailers
- Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing SIM cards from street vendors
- Secure Activation: Ensure a secure activation process to minimize risks
12. Wi-Fi Scams
Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks that may expose personal data to hackers.
- VPN Use: Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for added security
- Secure Websites: Avoid accessing sensitive information on unsecured networks
- Password Management: Use strong, unique passwords for each account
13. Beggar Scams
Be cautious of beggars who may try to distract you while pickpocketing or leading you to a scam.
- Avoid Alone Areas: Stay in well-populated areas and avoid wandering into deserted areas alone
- Avoid Distractions: Remain aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions from beggars or strangers
- Secure Your Belongings: Keep your personal belongings secure to minimize the risk of theft
14. ATM Scams
Avoid using ATMs that appear tampered with or in untrusted locations which may lead to card skimming or data theft.
- Secure Transactions: Use secure, reputable ATMs
- Monitor Statements: Regularly monitor account statements for unusual activity
- Cover Keypad: Cover keypad while entering your PIN to prevent keylogging
15. Phone Scams
Avoid using your phone in untrusted locations or answering calls from unknown numbers which may lead to personal information theft.
- Secure Transactions: Use secure, reputable network connections
- Unknown Calls: Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers
- Security Software: Install security software on your phone to protect against threats