Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India

1. Rickshaw Ride Scam

Overcharging tourists for rickshaw rides, sometimes taking longer routes.

Pre-negotiated Price: Always negotiate the price before starting the ride.
Avoid Unmarked Routes: Insist on a direct route to your destination.
Trustworthy Rickshaw Driver: Choose drivers recommended by local sources or hotels.

Temple priests asking for excessive donations or forcing unwanted 'blessings'.

Respectful Donation: Donate only at official donation boxes.
Avoid Forced 'Blessings': Never accept any services from strangers in temples.
Local Guides: Follow guides who know the customs and etiquette of local temples.

Receiving fake Indian currency in return for payment.

Check Authenticity: Always check the authenticity of currency notes.
Transactions at Reputed Shops: Make transactions at reputed shops and businesses.
Bank ATMs: Use bank ATMs for withdrawing cash.

Tour guides offering inauthentic or overpriced tours.

Selling poor-quality or fake souvenirs at high prices.

Knowledgeable Shops: Shop at stores with knowledgeable staff.
Local Markets: Purchase souvenirs from local markets instead of street vendors.
Reputed Stores: Choose reputed, well-established shops for souvenir shopping.

Offering overpriced accommodations to tourists.

Reputed Hotels: Book accommodations at reputed hotels.
Online Bookings: Make online bookings for accommodation through trusted websites.
Negotiated Prices: Always negotiate the price before confirming your booking.

Overcharging tourists at restaurants or serving subpar food.

Recommended Restaurants: Dine at restaurants recommended by locals or hotels.
Menu Prices: Check the menu prices before agreeing to dine at a restaurant.
Payment in Advance: Pay only after receiving satisfactory service and checking the bill.

Overcharging for taxi rides or refusing to use the meter.

Selling faulty or non-functional SIM cards.

Official Retailers: Purchase SIM cards from official retailers.
Check Quality: Test the SIM card's functionality before leaving the store.
Customer Service Support: Ensure that customer service support is available if needed.

Selling low-quality or counterfeit gold jewelry.

Reporting scams or seeking help from Tourist Police.

Emergency Number: Save the tourist police helpline number on your phone.
Assistance with Scams: Ask for assistance from the Tourist Police if needed.
Safety Measures: Follow their advice for staying safe during your visit.

Dealing with persistent touts offering services or goods.

Polite but Firm: Be polite yet firm in declining offers from touts.
Avoid Eye Contact: Avoid eye contact with touts to discourage their approach.
Stick Together: Stay in a group and stick together to avoid touts.

Unsecured public Wi-Fi allowing access to your personal data.

Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Use secure Wi-Fi networks when possible.
VPN Connection: Use a VPN connection if you must connect to public Wi-Fi.
Sensitive Data Protection: Avoid accessing sensitive data over unsecured networks.

Receiving unwanted attention or harassment from locals.

Fraudsters skimming information from ATMs.

Secure ATMs: Use secure, well-lit ATMs.
Cover Keypad: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
Monitor Account Activity: Monitor your account activity regularly for any unusual transactions.