Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Hezhou, Guangxi, China

All Topics about Hezhou All Cities in China

1. Counterfeit Taxi Drivers

Be wary of unlicensed taxi drivers who may overcharge or take a circuitous route. Use only licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps.

Licensed Taxis: Legitimate taxis have a license plate, meter, and official logo.
Ride-sharing Apps: Download and use reputable ride-sharing apps for safe and affordable travel.
Avoid Circuitous Routes: Ask the driver to take the shortest route to your destination.

Some guides may offer unofficial tours or ask for unnecessary payments. Only hire licensed guides or use self-guided tours.

Licensed Guides: Guides should have a government-issued guide permit.
Self-Guided Tours: Use maps, guidebooks, or mobile apps to explore on your own.
Avoid Unnecessary Payments: Never pay more than agreed upon for tours and services.

Beware of inflated prices for souvenirs in tourist areas. Negotiate prices or find local shops for better deals.

Negotiation: Ask for the best price and don't be afraid to walk away.
Local Shops: Venture off the beaten path to find cheaper, locally-owned stores.
Comparison Shopping: Compare prices between vendors before making a purchase.

Some ATMs may skim your card information or charge high fees. Use only bank ATMs and be aware of your surroundings.

Bank ATMs: ATMs inside banks or official financial institutions are less likely to be compromised.
Be Aware of Surroundings: Watch out for people loitering around ATMs and avoid using them in poorly lit areas.
Check Fees: Know the fees associated with your bank's ATM network before withdrawing money.

Some officers may fabricate charges or ask for bribes. Carry a copy of your passport and travel documents and know local laws.

Carry Copies: Keep copies of important documents, such as your passport and visa, in case the originals are needed.
Know Local Laws: Familiarize yourself with local laws and avoid activities that may be illegal.
Report Incidents: If you encounter a problem with police, contact your embassy or consulate for assistance.

Some businesses may accept counterfeit money. Check bills carefully and only use newer banknotes.

Check Bills Carefully: Feel the bill, check for watermarks, and look for security features.
Only Use Newer Banknotes: New banknotes are less likely to be counterfeit.
Pay Attention at ATMs: Inspect your money immediately after withdrawing it from an ATM.

Some restaurants may overcharge tourists or serve lower quality food. Research restaurants and ask locals for recommendations.

Research Restaurants: Read reviews online before dining at a restaurant.
Ask Locals: Ask locals for recommendations on good, affordable restaurants.
Check the Menu Prices: Compare prices between dishes and avoid restaurants with unusually high prices.

Some accommodation services may offer subpar rooms or overcharge for accommodations. Book through reputable platforms or negotiate with local hotels.

Book Reputable Platforms: Book accommodations through established online travel agencies.
Negotiate with Local Hotels: Negotiate prices directly with local hotels for better deals.
Read Reviews: Check reviews from other travelers before booking accommodations.

Some street food vendors may use expired or contaminated ingredients. Stick to established street food areas and avoid vendors that don't look clean.

Established Street Food Areas: Find street food in popular, well-known areas.
Avoid Unclean Vendors: Choose vendors that have clean workspaces and follow proper food handling practices.
Eat During Busy Times: Street food is freshest during busy meal times.

Some shops may overcharge tourists for souvenirs or low-quality goods. Avoid shops in touristy areas and negotiate prices.

Avoid Touristy Areas: Shop off the beaten path to find cheaper, more authentic items.
Negotiate Prices: Ask for the best price and don't be afraid to walk away.
Compare Prices: Compare prices between vendors before making a purchase.

Some cultural performances may charge high fees for poor quality shows. Research performances and negotiate prices.

Research Performances: Read reviews online before attending a performance.
Negotiate Prices: Ask for the best price and don't be afraid to walk away.
Check Quality: Watch a few minutes of the performance before deciding if it's worth attending.

Some transportation tickets may be overpriced or counterfeit. Only purchase tickets from authorized vendors.

Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets at the station or official ticket booths.
Check Ticket Prices: Compare prices between tickets and be wary of tickets that are significantly cheaper.
Inspect Counterfeit Protection: Check for holograms, watermarks, and other security features on your ticket.

Some telephone scammers may pose as officials or offer prizes to trick you into giving personal information. Hang up and report suspicious calls.

Hang Up: End the call immediately if you suspect a scam.
Report Suspicious Calls: Report suspicious calls to your service provider and local authorities.
Never Give Personal Information: Never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are certain of the caller's identity.

Some websites may attempt to steal your personal information or install malware on your device. Only access trusted websites and use a VPN.

Trusted Websites: Stick to well-known, reputable websites.
Use a VPN: A VPN can protect your online activity and personal information.
Install Antivirus Software: Keep your device protected with up-to-date antivirus software.

Some currency exchange offices may offer poor rates or charge high fees. Research exchange rates and compare prices.

Research Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates between various providers before exchanging money.
Avoid Street Exchanges: Exchange money at banks or authorized exchange offices.
Check Fees: Know the fees associated with your exchange and negotiate if necessary.