Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Jiaozuo, Henan, China

Jiaozuo, China, Jiaozuo, Local Insights & Practical Info, Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Jiaozuo, Henan, China

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid unlicensed taxis and overcharging by agreeing on the fare before starting the journey.
  • Recognizing Unlicensed Taxis: Check for official stickers, license plates, and clearly marked taxi signs.
  • Agreement on Fare Before Journey: Always negotiate the fare before getting into a taxi to avoid disputes later.
  • Avoid Peak Hours and Dark Areas: Avoid travelling during rush hours or in poorly lit areas to minimize risk.

2. Counterfeit Goods Market

Be cautious when shopping for electronics, clothing, and souvenirs at local markets.
  • Reputable Shops: Opt for reputable shops or stores with a good track record to minimize the risk of purchasing counterfeit goods.
  • Knowledgeable Sellers: Engage sellers who are knowledgeable about the products and can answer questions satisfactorily.
  • Check for Quality Issues: Thoroughly inspect purchased items for any quality issues or discrepancies before leaving the store.

3. Fraudulent Money Changers

Use official money changers to avoid receiving counterfeit bills.
  • Recognizing Official Money Changers: Look for stores with a proper license, good reviews, and busy customers.
  • Exchange in Daylight: Always exchange money during daytime to minimize the risk of being scammed.
  • Count Money Carefully: Count the exchanged money carefully before leaving the shop to ensure you receive the correct amount.

4. Fake Tour Guides

Avoid unlicensed tour guides and research your tour company thoroughly.
  • Recognizing Licensed Tour Guides: Look for official licenses, badges, or uniforms that indicate the guide is legitimate.
  • Researching the Tour Company: Check online reviews and ratings before booking a tour to ensure the company has a good reputation.
  • Agreement on Fare Before Journey: Always negotiate the fare before the journey starts to avoid disputes later.

5. Scam Restaurants

Avoid restaurants that overcharge for items not on the menu or offer poor quality food.
  • Recognizing Overpriced Items: Check prices of similar dishes at other restaurants before ordering.
  • Avoiding Restaurants with Few Customers: Choose busy restaurants, as they are likely to offer better quality food and honest pricing.
  • Check Reviews Online: Read online reviews and ratings before choosing a restaurant to ensure it has a good reputation.

6. Scams at Local Festivals

Be aware of pickpocketing, overpriced goods, and fake performances during local festivals.
  • Stay Alert in Crowded Areas: Keep your belongings secure and stay alert in crowded areas to prevent pickpocketing.
  • Negotiate Prices Carefully: Haggle carefully for goods, as prices during festivals can be inflated.
  • Check Performances' Legitimacy: Be cautious of performers asking for money or trying to sell tickets to unofficial shows.

7. Scams at Temples and Shrines

Be wary of fortune tellers, monks asking for donations, and suspicious offerings.
  • Avoid Fortune Tellers with Unfavorable Predictions: Be cautious of fortune tellers who provide unfavorable predictions or request large sums of money.
  • Research Donation Practices: Research the donation practices of the temple or shrine before making any contributions.
  • Decline Offers from Suspicious Individuals: Decline offers for services, such as incense burning, from suspicious individuals.

8. Scams at Internet Cafes

Be aware of keyloggers and malware installed on public computers.
  • Use Trusted Internet Cafes: Choose popular, well-maintained internet cafes to minimize the risk of encountering malware.
  • Avoid Sensitive Transactions: Avoid sensitive transactions, such as banking or password changes, on public computers.
  • Use a VPN for Secure Connections: Use a VPN to ensure secure connections when using public Wi-Fi networks.

9. Scams at ATMs

Be cautious of card skimmers and shoulder surfers.
  • Choose Well-lit and Busy Areas: Use ATMs in well-lit, busy areas to minimize the risk of someone tampering with the machine.
  • Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent shoulder surfing.
  • Check ATM for Tampering: Inspect the ATM for any unusual devices or signs of tampering before using it.

10. Scams at Accommodations

Avoid advance payment requirements and watch out for hidden charges.
  • Pay on Arrival if Possible: If possible, pay for your accommodation upon arrival to minimize the risk of advance payment scams.
  • Check for Hidden Charges: Thoroughly review the accommodation's policies before booking to avoid hidden charges.
  • Use Reputable Accommodations: Choose reputable accommodations with good reviews and a reliable track record.

11. Scams at Public Transport Stations

Be cautious of pickpocketing, overpriced tickets, and suspicious individuals offering assistance.
  • Stay Alert in Crowded Areas: Keep your belongings secure and stay alert in crowded areas to prevent pickpocketing.
  • Purchase Tickets from Authorized Vendors: Only purchase tickets from authorized vendors or machines to avoid overpriced or counterfeit tickets.
  • Avoid Suspicious Individuals Offering Assistance: Be cautious of individuals offering assistance, as they may try to distract you while pickpocketing.

12. Scams at Bars and Nightclubs

Be aware of overpriced drinks, aggressive solicitation, and drug deals.
  • Check Drink Prices Before Ordering: Ask for the price of drinks before ordering to avoid being charged inflated prices.
  • Avoid Isolated Areas: Stay in well-lit, busy areas and avoid isolated or dark locations.
  • Be Wary of Unsolicited Drinks: Decline unsolicited drinks offered by strangers to minimize the risk of drugs being added.

13. Scams at Local Markets

Be cautious of counterfeit goods, overpriced items, and pickpocketing.
  • Recognize Counterfeit Goods: Familiarize yourself with the common characteristics of counterfeit goods to avoid purchasing them.
  • Negotiate Prices Carefully: Haggle carefully for prices, as prices at local markets can be inflated.
  • Stay Alert in Crowded Areas: Keep your belongings secure and stay alert in crowded areas to prevent pickpocketing.

14. Scams at Street Performances

Be aware of aggressive solicitation, overpriced items, and pickpocketing.
  • Check Performers' Legitimacy: Research the legitimacy of street performances before attending to avoid scams.
  • Avoid Isolated Areas: Stay in well-lit, busy areas and avoid isolated or dark locations.
  • Decline Unsolicited Items or Donations: Decline unsolicited items or donations offered by performers to minimize the risk of scams.

15. Scams at Local Tours

Be cautious of overpriced tours, aggressive solicitation, and hidden fees.
  • Research Tour Companies Thoroughly: Thoroughly research tour companies before booking to avoid hidden fees or scams.
  • Negotiate Prices Carefully: Haggle carefully for prices, as prices for local tours can be inflated.
  • Avoid Aggressive Solicitation: Decline unsolicited offers for tours or guides to minimize the risk of aggressive solicitation.