Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Liaoyang, China

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

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Liaoyang, China

1. Taxi Scams

Watch for taxis refusing to use meter or overcharging, especially at airports and late nights. Always agree on price before starting the journey.
  • Meter Refusal: Taxis may refuse to use the meter.
  • Overcharging: Taxis might overcharge, especially in tourist areas.
  • Airport Scams: Taxi scams are common at Liaoyang Airport.

2. Counterfeit Goods

Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods from street vendors. They might look genuine but are often of low quality and illegal.
  • Low Quality: Counterfeit goods are often of low quality.
  • Illegal: Selling counterfeit goods is illegal.
  • Street Vendors: Street vendors are common places to find counterfeit goods.

3. Currency Exchange Scams

Be cautious when exchanging money at unofficial exchange offices or on the street. Always verify the exchange rate and count your money carefully.
  • Unofficial Offices: Avoid unofficial currency exchange offices.
  • Street Exchange: Do not exchange money on the street.
  • Incorrect Rate: Incorrect exchange rates are often used in scams.

4. Fraudulent Ticket Sales

Beware of ticket scalpers selling fake or overpriced tickets for tourist attractions. Only buy tickets from authorized sellers.
  • Fake Tickets: Scalpers may sell fake tickets.
  • Overpriced Tickets: Tickets sold by scalpers are often overpriced.
  • Authorized Sellers: Only buy tickets from authorized sellers.

5. Fake Guides

Be wary of unsolicited offers for guides in Liaoyang. Stick to registered and official guides.
  • Unsolicited Offers: Offers for guides can be unsolicited.
  • Registered Guides: Only use registered and official guides.
  • Tourist Attractions: Guide scams are common at tourist attractions.

6. Overcharging in Restaurants

Restaurants may overcharge tourists or serve lower quality food. Check menus carefully and negotiate prices before eating.
  • Overpriced: Tourists might be overcharged in restaurants.
  • Lower Quality Food: Some restaurants may serve lower quality food to tourists.
  • Negotiating Prices: Always negotiate prices before eating.

7. Pickpocketing

Watch your belongings closely in crowded areas like markets and tourist spots. Use a money belt or secure backpack to safeguard your valuables.
  • Crowded Areas: Pickpocketing is common in crowded areas.
  • Money Belt: Use a money belt or secure backpack to safeguard your valuables.
  • Secure Backpack: A secure backpack can help prevent pickpocketing.

8. Overpriced Internet Cafes

Internet cafes may overcharge for slow internet access or computer usage. Compare prices and choose reputable cafes.
  • Slow Internet Access: Internet cafes may provide slow internet access.
  • Overpriced: Internet cafes might overcharge for their services.
  • Reputable Cafes: Choose reputable internet cafes to avoid scams.

9. Accommodation Scams

Be cautious of accommodation that seems too good to be true or offers incredibly low prices. Always read reviews and book through reliable websites.
  • Too Good To Be True: Accommodation deals that seem too good to be true often are.
  • Incredibly Low Prices: Accommodation with incredibly low prices might be a scam.
  • Reliable Websites: Book accommodation through reliable websites to avoid scams.

10. Scam ATMs

Avoid using ATMs that look suspicious or are located in isolated areas. Only use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, busy locations.
  • Suspicious ATMs: ATMs that look suspicious should be avoided.
  • Isolated Areas: Avoid using ATMs in isolated areas.
  • Inside Banks or Busy Locations: Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, busy locations.

11. Transportation Ticket Scams

Watch out for counterfeit or overpriced transportation tickets. Always verify the authenticity of your ticket and stick to official ticket booths.
  • Counterfeit Tickets: Transportation tickets may be counterfeit.
  • Overpriced Tickets: Tickets might be overpriced in transportation scams.
  • Official Ticket Booths: Always purchase tickets from official ticket booths.

12. Fraudulent Tour Agencies

Be cautious when booking tours with unregistered tour agencies. Always verify their credentials and check for reviews.
  • Unregistered Tour Agencies: Avoid using unregistered tour agencies.
  • Credentials: Verify the credentials of tour agencies.
  • Check Reviews: Always check reviews before booking a tour.

13. Friendly Scams

Be wary of friendly locals who offer help or appear overly interested in you. They might lead you to a scam location or try to extort money from you.
  • Help Offers: Friendly offers of help could be part of a scam.
  • Scam Locations: Friendly locals might lead you to a scam location.
  • Extortion Attempts: Friendly locals might attempt to extort money from you.

14. Overpriced Public Transportation

Watch out for ticket inspectors demanding overpriced fares on public transportation. Always know the correct fare before boarding.
  • Overpriced Fares: Ticket inspectors might demand overpriced fares.
  • Correct Fare: Always know the correct fare before boarding public transportation.
  • Ticket Inspectors: Be wary of ticket inspectors demanding overpriced fares.

15. Scam Car Rentals

Watch out for car rental scams involving damaged cars, hidden fees or unregistered rental companies. Always choose reputable and registered car rental services.
  • Damaged Cars: Cars might be damaged before rental to charge for repairs.
  • Hidden Fees: Extra fees may be charged without disclosure.
  • Registered Rental Companies: Choose reputable and registered car rental services.