Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Jieyang, Guangdong, China

All Topics about Jieyang All Cities in China

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced taxis by using official taxi companies or ride-hailing apps like Didi Chuxing.

Official Companies: Ensure the taxi has an official logo and meter.
Ride-hailing Apps: Booking via Didi Chuxing provides a fixed fare based on the route.
Avoid Unmarked Taxis: Unlicensed taxis may overcharge or take longer routes.

Stay away from street vendors selling counterfeit goods to avoid buying low-quality imitations.

Authentic Brand Stores: Buy from official brand stores for genuine products.
Brand Quality: Counterfeit goods lack the quality and durability of authentic items.
Legal Ramifications: Purchasing counterfeits can lead to legal issues.

Avoid unofficial currency exchanges and use banks or authorized exchange centers for a fair rate.

Official Exchange Centers: Authorized exchange centers provide transparent exchange rates.
Avoid Street Vendors: Street vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates or pass on hidden fees.
Bank Services: Banks often provide competitive exchange rates and lower fees.

Purchase sim cards from authorized stores or mobile carrier's kiosks to avoid malfunctioning or overpriced sim cards.

Authorized Stores: Authorized stores provide genuine sim cards and proper service.
Overpriced Sim Cards: Unauthorized sellers may offer overpriced or malfunctioning sim cards.
Proper Service: Authorized stores provide assistance with setup and activate the service correctly.

Be aware of aggressive vendors offering 'blessings' or 'tour guide services' at temples to avoid overcharging.

Free Services: Temple blessings and tours should be free, so don't feel pressured to pay.
Official Guides: Hire official guides from the temple or tourism bureau for proper information.
Temple Donations: Donate to the temple directly, not through intermediaries.

Avoid food stalls with no visible food preparation areas or hygiene certificates to ensure a safe meal.

Visible Preparation Areas: Food should be prepared in an open and clean area.
Hygiene Certificates: Look for hygiene certifications on the stall to ensure proper food handling.
Avoid Street Food: Street food can sometimes be contaminated or undercooked, so eat at reputable restaurants.

Book accommodation through reliable sources like booking.com to avoid overpriced or substandard lodgings.

Reliable Sources: Use reputable online travel agencies for accurate pricing and descriptions.
Avoid Street Bookings: Street bookings may not provide a receipt, so it's difficult to prove payment or quality.
Comparative Pricing: Compare prices across multiple online platforms to find the best deal.

Book official tour guides or use trusted tour companies to avoid overpriced or substandard services.

Official Tour Guides: Use officially licensed tour guides for accurate information.
Avoid Street Guides: Street guides may not be licensed, leading to inaccurate information or overcharging.
Tour Company Reviews: Check reviews and ratings for tour companies before booking.

Avoid overpriced tickets on public transportation by buying from ticket machines or official vendors.

Ticket Machines: Use ticket machines for a fixed and accurate fare.
Avoid Unofficial Vendors: Unofficial vendors may sell overpriced or invalid tickets.
Public Transport Apps: Use public transportation apps like Transit Planner Jieyang to plan your route and find the nearest ticket machine.

Rent bicycles from authorized bike rental shops or use bike-sharing services like Ofo Bike to avoid damaged or overpriced rentals.

Authorized Shops: Buy from authorized rental shops for quality bikes and proper service.
Avoid Damaged Bikes: Damaged bikes can lead to accidents, so choose well-maintained bicycles.
Ofo Bike Rentals: Use Ofo Bike or similar services for a convenient and affordable rental experience.

Use ATMs located in banks or secure areas to avoid skimming devices and card traps.

Bank ATMs: ATMs within banks are more secure than standalone machines.
Avoid Suspicious Machines: If an ATM looks tampered with, avoid using it.
Card Traps: Be aware of card traps or skimmers attached to the machine's card slot.

Pay the correct entrance fee for tourist attractions by checking official websites or asking at the attraction's main entrance.

Official Websites: Find entrance fees on the attraction's official website.
Avoid Unofficial Sellers: Don't pay entrance fees to unauthorized sellers outside the attraction.
Main Entrance Ticket Booths: Buy tickets at the main entrance booth for accurate pricing and service.

Visit licensed massage parlors or spas to avoid receiving inadequate or suspicious services.

Licensed Massage Parlors: Choose massage parlors with official licenses and certifications.
Avoid Suspicious Services: Be wary of services that seem too good to be true or offer unusual treatments.
Check Reviews: Read reviews and ratings for massage parlors before visiting.

Avoid giving your business card to strangers or accepting unsolicited cards to avoid identity theft.

Limit Card Exchanges: Exchange business cards only with trusted contacts.
Identity Theft: Strangers may use your card for identity theft or unwanted solicitation.
Verify Identity: Confirm the person's identity and purpose before exchanging cards.

Choose reputable internet cafés or use Wi-Fi hotspots at hotels to protect your personal information.

Reputable Internet Cafes: Find internet cafes with good reviews and a clean, secure environment.
Hotel Wi-Fi: Use hotel Wi-Fi for a more secure connection.
Secure Your Devices: Install antivirus software and avoid visiting unsecured websites to protect your devices.