Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Neijiang, China

1. Tourist Information Center Scams

Be cautious of misinformation about attractions, transportation, and currency exchange rates provided by unofficial tourist information centers.

Misleading Information: Some unofficial centers may provide incorrect or biased advice to steer you towards businesses that pay them commission.
Commission-Based Recommendations: Avoid relying solely on unverified recommendations from these centers.
Official Centers Identification: Find the official tourist information center to ensure accurate and reliable advice.

Beware of counterfeit goods being sold in some local markets, especially those with a reputation for selling low-quality or fake items.

Low Quality Items: Counterfeit goods are often made with inferior materials and may not function properly.
Legal Ramifications: Buying counterfeit goods supports illegal activities and could result in legal consequences for you or the seller.
Authenticity Verification: Look for signs of authenticity, ask for receipts, and be suspicious if prices are significantly lower than expected.

Avoid overpaying for transportation services by negotiating fair prices or using reputable companies.

Negotiated Prices: Always agree on a price before starting your journey to avoid being overcharged.
Reputable Companies: Choose well-established transportation providers with good reviews or recommendations.
Awareness of Local Rates: Research typical rates for transportation services in Neijiang to help you avoid overpaying.

Be vigilant when exchanging currency to avoid being cheated with unfair exchange rates or receiving fake bills.

Unfair Exchange Rates: Some exchange providers may offer significantly lower exchange rates than the market average.
Counterfeit Bills: Inspect your exchanged bills carefully to ensure they are genuine and in good condition.
Reputable Providers: Choose established and reputable exchange providers, or use banks for safer transactions.

Ensure street food is safe to eat by verifying hygiene practices and choosing well-known vendors.

Hygiene Practices: Look for clean cooking areas, gloves, and frequent hand washing among the street food vendors.
Well-Known Vendors: Choose popular and well-established street food vendors with good reviews or recommendations.
Food Allergies: Communicate any dietary restrictions to the vendor to avoid accidental exposure.

Protect your bank card from skimmers by using ATMs in well-lit and busy areas and checking for tampering.

Well-Lit and Busy Areas: ATMs in high traffic or well-lit locations are less likely to be targeted by skimmers.
Check for Tampering: Examine the ATM for anything unusual, such as extra devices attached or card readers that seem loose.
Cover Your Keypad: Cover your keypad while entering your PIN to prevent shoulder-surfing and potential skimming.

Be cautious of unofficial guides who may lead you to overpriced attractions or ask for unnecessary tips.

Unofficial Guides: Official guides will usually be easily identifiable by their uniforms, badges, or official credentials.
Overpriced Attractions: Avoid locations recommended by unofficial guides that charge significantly more than usual.
Tips and Commissions: Decline excessive tips or commissions when using an official guide and be aware of any hidden fees.

Be cautious of unsolicited souvenirs or gifts as they may come with hidden charges or obligations.

Hidden Charges: Accepting a seemingly free gift may result in unexpected charges on your bill.
Obligations and Expectations: Gift recipients may be expected to make a purchase or tip in return.
Polite Refusal: politely decline unsolicited gifts to avoid potential misunderstandings.

Use reputable taxi services or ride-hailing apps to ensure a fair and safe journey.

Reputable Taxi Services: Choose well-known taxi companies with good reviews or recommendations.
Ride-Hailing Apps: Use apps like Didi Chuxing for a reliable, metered ride.
Avoid Unmarked Taxis: Be cautious of unmarked or unlicensed taxis that may charge excessive fares.

Check multiple review sources to verify the quality of accommodation and avoid biased or fake reviews.

Multiple Review Sources: Cross-reference reviews from different websites to get a more accurate picture.
Suspicious Reviews: Be wary of overly positive or negative reviews with few details and no supporting images.
Official Accommodation Ratings: Look for official ratings from tourism boards or government agencies to help identify quality accommodations.

Purchase SIM cards only from authorized retailers and avoid pre-activated or cheap offers that may be fraudulent.

Authorized Retailers: Buy SIM cards from official stores or kiosks of telecom companies.
Pre-Activated Cards: Avoid pre-activated cards, as they may have been tampered with or be fake.
Cheap Offers: Be suspicious of extremely low-priced SIM cards, as they may not function correctly.

Inspect your money carefully to avoid receiving or using counterfeit bills.

Check Money Quality: Examine the texture, color, and size of the banknotes to ensure they are genuine.
Feel for Security Features: Run your fingers along the edges of the bills to feel for raised security features.
Authenticity Verification Apps: Use mobile apps designed to help you verify the authenticity of banknotes.

Remain vigilant and verify the legitimacy of police officers before providing any personal information or valuables.

Legitimate Uniforms: Check for official badges, uniforms, and identification cards.
Police Station Verification: Ask the officers to escort you to a nearby police station to verify their identity.
Protect Your Valuables: Keep your passport, money, and other valuable items hidden and secure at all times.

Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas and use anti-theft accessories to protect your belongings.

Avoid Distractions: Stay alert and avoid distractions that may facilitate pickpocketing, such as street performers.
Anti-Theft Accessories: Use anti-theft bags, wallets with RFID protection, or travel belts with hidden pockets.
Secure Accommodation Storage: Store valuables in the hotel's safe deposit box when not in use.

Be cautious of free Wi-Fi hotspots that may require a paid subscription or install malware on your device.

Avoid Free Hotspots: Use a VPN service to securely access the internet when using public Wi-Fi.
Paid Subscription Requests: Be suspicious of free Wi-Fi that requires payment or personal information.
Device Security: Install antivirus software on your device to protect against malware and unauthorized access.