Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Shiyan, Hubei, China

All Topics about Shiyan All Cities in China

1. Taxi Scams

Watch for drivers who claim no meter is available or overcharge you. Always agree on the price before starting the journey.

No Meter Available: Drivers may refuse to use the taxi meter, attempting to overcharge unsuspecting tourists.
Incorrect Change: Some drivers might intentionally give you less change or counterfeit money.
Longer Route: Drivers may take longer routes to increase the fare.

Some temples may ask for 'donations' more frequently than others. Be cautious of anyone asking for money while inside a temple.

Excessive Donations: Temple staff might pressure tourists into making excessive donations.
Counterfeit Money: Some unscrupulous individuals may accept counterfeit money as a 'donation'.
Fake Fortunes: Fortune tellers in temples may provide misleading or false predictions for personal gain.

Ensure the food you buy from street vendors is fresh and properly cooked. Avoid eating from unhygienic places.

Unhygienic Conditions: Some street food vendors may not maintain proper hygiene standards, posing health risks.
Overpriced Food: Tourists might be charged higher prices than locals for the same food items.
Contaminated Food: Food can become contaminated if not stored or prepared properly, leading to foodborne illnesses.

Be wary of hotels offering extremely cheap rooms; check reviews and ask for recommendations.

Subpar Accommodations: Rooms might not meet the expected standards if you opt for a very cheap hotel.
Overbooking: Hotels may overbook rooms, leaving tourists without a place to stay.
Dubious Reviews: Some hotels may have fake positive reviews online to attract unsuspecting customers.

Avoid buying bus tickets from unauthorized vendors or ticket resellers. Always buy directly from the bus station.

Counterfeit Tickets: Unauthorized vendors may sell counterfeit or invalid bus tickets.
Overpriced Tickets: Resellers might charge a higher price for the same ticket.
No Seat Assurance: Without buying directly from the station, there's no guarantee of a seat on the bus.

Research tour operators thoroughly and read reviews. Be cautious of tour guides who offer unusually cheap prices.

Unprofessional Guides: Tour guides might not have the required knowledge or skills to provide a satisfactory experience.
Skipped Sites: Some tour operators may skip popular tourist sites to save money and time.
Fraudulent Reviews: Tour companies might have fake positive reviews online to attract customers.

Bargain aggressively and research shops beforehand. Be wary of overpriced items or shops selling counterfeit goods.

Counterfeit Goods: Shops may sell counterfeit or low-quality products to unsuspecting tourists.
Overpriced Items: Tourists might be charged higher prices than locals for the same items.
Unsatisfactory Quality: Items may not meet the expected quality if they are priced significantly lower.

Use ATMs located at banks or secure areas. Be cautious of devices attached to the machine that may skim card information.

Skimmers: Devices can be attached to ATMs to capture card information.
Card Retention: Criminals may keep your card and use it for illegal transactions.
Misleading Signs: Fraudulent signs can be placed near ATMs to trick users into entering their PIN numbers.

Use secure websites and avoid logging in to sensitive accounts on public computers. Be cautious of anyone watching you while using the computer.

Keystroke Logging: Public computers may have keystroke logging software installed, capturing your passwords and sensitive information.
Unsecured Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks might not be secure, allowing others to intercept your online activities.
Hardware Tampering: Some cybercafes may modify the computers' hardware to collect data or install malware.

Buy sim cards from authorized retailers and avoid sharing personal information with unknown individuals.

Unauthorized Access: Unscrupulous individuals might gain unauthorized access to your phone and personal data through a sim card.
Counterfeit Cards: Counterfeit sim cards may be sold, providing criminals with access to your phone and personal information.
High Data Usage: Some sim card vendors may charge excessive data usage fees.

Appreciate street performances but be cautious of performers who pressure you for money or offer trinkets in exchange.

Excessive Donations: Performers might pressure tourists into making excessive donations.
Trinket Scam: Gifts or trinkets offered during performances might be overpriced or of low quality.
Distraction Tactics: Performers may use distractions to pickpocket unsuspecting tourists.

Avoid giving money or food directly to beggars. Be cautious if someone offers a pet for sale and then asks for money after the transaction.

Exploitation: Some beggars may be victims of exploitation, making donations futile.
Counterfeit Money: Beggars might accept counterfeit money in exchange for change or goods.
Pet Theft: Unscrupulous individuals may use pets as a ruse to gain trust and then ask for money under false pretenses.

Avoid sharing taxis or other forms of transportation with strangers. Be cautious of anyone offering you a ride in their private vehicle.

Theft: Sharing transportation with strangers might increase the risk of theft.
Robbery: Private vehicles may be used for robberies, especially if the driver has a weapon or threatens violence.
Fraudulent Destinations: Drivers might take you to an unfamiliar location in order to commit a scam or robbery.

Book accommodations through reputable websites or local tourism offices. Be cautious of accommodation offers made by strangers.

Fraudulent Accommodations: Accommodations might not meet the advertised standards if booked through an unverified source.
Double Booking: Rooms may be double-booked, leaving tourists without a place to stay.
Counterfeit Money: Accommodation providers might accept counterfeit money as payment.

Purchase guidebooks from reputable bookstores or online retailers. Be cautious of individuals offering guidebooks for sale on the street.

Counterfeit Books: Counterfeit guidebooks may be sold, providing inaccurate information and maps.
Overpriced Books: Street vendors might charge a higher price for the same guidebook.
Misleading Information: Counterfeit guidebooks may contain misleading information to steer tourists towards specific businesses or scams.