Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Lianyuan, China

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced taxi rides by using authorized taxis only and agreeing on the price before starting the journey.

Know the Authorized Taxis: Recognize the official Lianyuan taxi brands.
Agree on Price Beforehand: Settling the fare before beginning the trip helps avoid overcharges.
Use App-Based Services: Take advantage of smartphone taxi apps for a more reliable experience.

Avoid buying counterfeit goods by visiting reputable shops or markets and looking for quality signs.

Reputable Shops: Buy from well-known, trusted stores.
Quality Signs: Inspect the item for flaws or signs of poor craftsmanship.
Price Too Good to Be True: If an item's price is significantly lower than expected, it might be a counterfeit.

Stick to authorized tour guides and research your tours in advance to ensure their authenticity.

Authorized Tour Guide Badge: Look for the official guide identification badge.
Research Your Tours: Do your homework before booking a tour to check its legitimacy.
Check Tour Reviews: Read online reviews of the tours and guides from other travelers.

Choose well-lit, busy areas for ATM transactions and cover your hand when entering your PIN to avoid skimming.

Well-lit Areas: Transact in properly lit locations.
Busy Locations: Perform transactions where there are many people around.
Cover Your Hand: Cover your hand while entering your PIN for added protection.

Use banks or reputable money exchange services to exchange currency and carefully inspect the bills received.

Banks: Exchange your money in authorized banks.
Reputable Money Exchange Services: Opt for established, trustworthy exchange providers.
Inspect the Bills: Thoroughly examine the bills received to ensure their authenticity.

Secure your belongings in the hotel safe and keep an inventory of your items to prevent theft.

Use Hotel Safe: Store valuable items in the hotel room's safety deposit box.
Inventory of Items: Keep a list of your personal belongings to verify their presence.
Lock Hotel Room Door: Always lock the door when leaving the room.

Choose busy food stalls with many customers and avoid eating foods that are not cooked in front of you.

Busy Stalls: Select street food vendors with a high number of patrons.
Cooked in Front of You: Opt for dishes where the preparation takes place before your eyes.
Check Food Safety: Ensure the food is being handled and cooked in a clean and safe manner.

Avoid hidden charges by researching restaurants ahead of time and checking for any additional fees.

Research Restaurants: Read reviews and verify the restaurant's reputation.
Check for Additional Fees: Ask about any hidden charges or service fees before dining.
Pay Attention to Bill: Double-check the bill before making payment to avoid any unexpected charges.

Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks and use a VPN to protect your data when online.

Secure Connection: Use a secure, password-protected connection.
VPN Protection: Employ a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data.
Avoid Sensitive Transactions: Avoid performing sensitive transactions on public networks.

Visit established art galleries or museums and research the artwork to ensure its authenticity.

Established Galleries: Opt for well-known, trusted art galleries.
Research the Artwork: Investigate the piece's background and history to verify its authenticity.
Check for Certificate of Authenticity: Ask for a certificate of authenticity when purchasing art.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources on social media.

Suspicious Links: Do not click on links from unverified or unknown sources.
Unknown Attachments: Refrain from downloading attachments from unfamiliar contacts.
Secure Password: Use a strong, unique password for your social media accounts.

Purchase tickets from authorized vendors or venues to avoid buying counterfeits.

Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets directly from the venue or approved ticket sellers.
Check for Authenticity: Examine the ticket for any signs of counterfeit, such as poor print quality.
Avoid Private Transactions: Transact through official channels to reduce the risk of fraud.

Secure your belongings and avoid wearing valuable items in plain sight to minimize the risk of pickpocketing.

Secure Belongings: Keep your bag zipped and valuables hidden.
Avoid Wearing Valuables: Minimize wearing expensive jewelry or showing large amounts of cash.
Stay Aware of Surroundings: Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

Ignore unsolicited offers and be cautious when interacting with strangers to avoid falling for scams.

Ignoring Offers: politely decline unwanted offers.
Be Cautious with Strangers: Avoid engaging in lengthy or private conversations with unknown individuals.
Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest scams and common tactics used by scammers.

Research service prices in advance and negotiate before agreeing to services to avoid overpaying.

Research Prices: Gain knowledge of the average cost for a particular service.
Negotiate Beforehand: Discuss and agree on the price before beginning the service.
Ask for Recommendations: Seek advice from locals or fellow travelers regarding reputable providers.