Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Jiaozhou, China

All Topics about Jiaozhou All Cities in China

1. Taxi Scams

Watch for drivers who refuse to use meter or overcharge. Use licensed taxis and agree on price beforehand.

Unlicensed Taxis: These are often found in unofficial taxi stands or hailed from the street.
Meter Refusal: Legitimate taxis should always use meters unless you agree on a fixed price beforehand.
Overcharging: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey to avoid unexpected charges.

Be wary of food vendors who use too much salt or MSG. Choose busy, popular stands for fresh and safe meals.

Over-salting/MSG: Some unscrupulous vendors may overuse salt or MSG to make food more appealing.
Busy Stands: Popular street food stands often indicate a good reputation and high-quality food.
Fresh Ingredients: Look for vendors who use fresh ingredients and change them regularly to ensure safety and quality.

Beware of cheap, low-quality souvenirs. Research authentic products and purchase from reputable shops.

Cheap Quality: Counterfeit souvenirs often have poor workmanship and materials.
Reputable Shops: Shops located near tourist attractions or in popular shopping districts are more likely to sell authentic goods.
Research Authenticity: Learn about the characteristics of authentic souvenirs before purchasing to avoid being scammed.

Always check for tour guide licenses. Official guides will have identification and can provide detailed information.

Lack of Identification: Unlicensed guides may not have official identification or be unable to provide detailed information.
Knowledge Level: Official tour guides are knowledgeable about local attractions, customs, and history.
Safety Concerns: Licensed tour guides ensure safety by following established routes and adhering to regulations.

Only use ATMs located in banks or reputable businesses. Be cautious of machines that seem suspicious.

Location: ATMs located inside banks or reputable businesses are less likely to be fake.
Suspicious Machines: Fake ATMs may have loose parts, poor lighting, or unusual branding.
Card Skimming: Criminals can use fake ATMs to steal your card information through skimming devices.

Research artists and galleries before visiting. Be wary of overpriced or unsigned artwork.

Overpricing: Scam art galleries may charge excessively high prices for artwork.
Unsigned Artwork: Authentic artwork should be signed by the artist to ensure authenticity.
Reputation of Gallery: Choose galleries with a good reputation and positive reviews for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Avoid temple scammers offering to perform rituals or sell blessings. Learn about local customs before visiting.

Unsolicited Offers: Scammers may approach you with offers of rituals or blessings, often for a fee.
Understanding Local Customs: Learning about local customs and etiquette before visiting temples can help you avoid misunderstandings.
Avoiding Fees: Many temples do not charge an entrance fee, so be wary of anyone asking for money as a condition to enter or participate in rituals.

Avoid restaurants with no customers during peak hours. Look for menus in Chinese and reasonable prices.

Lack of Customers: Empty restaurants may be trying to scam tourists by overcharging or serving poor quality food.
Menu in Chinese: Restaurants catering mostly to locals are more likely to have menus only in the local language.
Reasonable Prices: High prices or a limited menu may indicate a restaurant trying to scam tourists.

Be aware of goldfish balloon vendors. Releasing them can harm wildlife and carry fines.

Harm to Wildlife: Goldfish balls do not provide a suitable environment for wild fish, leading to their deaths.
Legal Concerns: Releasing goldfish balloons is illegal in many countries, including China.
Environmental Impact: Goldfish balls can harm the environment by causing pollution and disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

Only buy tickets from official outlets. Be cautious of ticket sellers outside venues or offering 'special deals'.

Outside Venue Sales: Ticket sellers outside venues may be selling fake tickets or overcharging.
Special Deals: Offers of special deals on tickets may be scams, so it's best to purchase from official outlets.
Official Outlets: Ticket offices and authorized retailers are the safest places to buy tickets.

Only purchase medications from licensed pharmacies. Be cautious of street vendors or unlicensed shops.

Street Vendors: Counterfeit medicines may be sold by street vendors or in unlicensed shops.
Licensed Pharmacies: Pharmacies with a license ensure that the medications they sell are safe and effective.
Proper Packaging: Legitimate medications will have proper packaging, including a label and dosage instructions.

Only rent bikes from reputable shops. Check the bike for damage before renting and keep receipts.

Reputable Shops: Rent bikes from shops with good reviews, located in popular areas or near tourist attractions.
Damage Inspection: Check the bike for damage before renting to avoid being charged for pre-existing issues.
Keep Receipts: Having a receipt will help you avoid disputes and ensure you return the bike without problems.

Only connect to password-protected Wi-Fi networks. Be wary of free, unsecured hotspots in public places.

Password-Protected Networks: Secure Wi-Fi networks require a password to access, providing added security.
Unsecured Hotspots: Free, unsecured hotspots in public places may be set up by criminals to steal your data.
Data Security: Secure Wi-Fi networks help protect your personal information from hackers and cybercriminals.

Appreciate street performances but be cautious of aggressive or persistent performers. Avoid being tricked into giving money.

Aggressive Performers: Aggressive performers may try to guilt you into giving money or follow you to demand payment.
Persistent Solicitation: Performers who persistently ask for money after the performance may be trying to scam you.
Free Performances: Many street performances are free, so it's best not to give money unless you find the performance truly exceptional.

Be wary of fortune tellers who make vague or overly specific predictions. Avoid those who pressure you to pay for additional services.

Vague Predictions: Fortune tellers who give vague, overly positive, or negative predictions may be trying to scam you.
Pressure to Pay: Avoid fortune tellers who pressure you to pay for additional services or readings after the initial consultation.
Research Local Customs: Learning about local customs and beliefs can help you avoid misunderstandings with fortune tellers.