Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Wuhan, China
1. Taxi Scams
Avoid overpriced or non-metered taxis. Always use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps.
- Metered Taxis: Ensure the taxi uses a meter.
- Licensed Taxis: Check for a valid license number and logo.
- Ride-Hailing Apps: Use apps like Didi Chuxing or Alipay for secure and affordable rides.
2. Counterfeit Goods
Avoid buying street market goods that seem too cheap or of high quality.
- Cheap Prices: Be wary of items priced unusually low.
- High Quality: Items that seem too good to be true are likely counterfeit.
- Legal Shops: Buy from licensed shops or reputable vendors.
3. Fake Tour Guides
Always arrange tours through reputable agencies. Be cautious of unsolicited help.
- Reputable Agencies: Choose agencies with good reviews and recommendations.
- Unsolicited Help: Be wary of overly friendly locals offering tours.
- Official Tour Guides: Check for an official tour guide badge or certification.
4. Fraudulent ATMs
Use ATMs inside banks or reputable establishments to avoid skimming devices.
- Inside Banks: ATMs within banks are safer and more secure.
- Reputable Establishments: Choose ATMs at reputable hotels, malls, or stores.
- Card Protection: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent keylogging.
5. Scam Restaurants
Avoid restaurants with no visible prices or no customers. Opt for busy, popular establishments.
- Visible Prices: Restaurants with hidden prices may overcharge.
- Busy Restaurants: Avoid empty restaurants, as they might inflate prices.
- Popular Establishments: Choose restaurants recommended by locals or travelers.
6. Temple Scams
Avoid monks asking for donations and be cautious of fortune tellers.
- Donation Avoidance: Monks should not ask directly for money.
- Fortune Tellers: Avoid fortune tellers who claim to predict your future based on your appearance or name.
- Respectful Interaction: Interact with temples respectfully and as visitors, not customers.
7. Sim Card Scams
Purchase SIM cards from authorized retailers or official service centers.
- Authorized Retailers: Buy SIM cards only from authorized retailers.
- Official Service Centers: Visit official service centers to get a SIM card.
- Valid ID: Be prepared to provide identification when purchasing a SIM card.
8. Hotel Scams
Book through reputable online travel agencies or direct with hotels.
- Reputable Travel Agencies: Book through well-known and trusted online travel agencies.
- Hotel Direct Booking: Book directly with hotels to avoid middleman fees or scams.
- Reviews & Ratings: Check reviews and ratings before booking a hotel.
9. Ticket Scalping
Buy tickets only from authorized venues or official sales channels.
- Authorized Venues: Purchase tickets directly from the venue.
- Official Sales Channels: Buy tickets through official sales channels such as websites or authorized resellers.
- Avoid Street Vendors: Be cautious of street vendors selling tickets, as they may be counterfeit.
10. Friendship Scams
Be wary of overly friendly locals offering help or invitations. Limit personal information sharing.
- Personal Information: Limit the amount of personal information you share with strangers.
- Help Requests: Be cautious when helping others, as it may lead to future requests for money or favors.
- Public Spaces: Meet new people in public spaces and avoid secluded areas.
11. Internet Café Scams
Use reputable internet cafes with visible prices and good reviews.
- Visible Prices: Avoid internet cafes without posted prices.
- Good Reviews: Choose internet cafes with positive reviews from other travelers.
- Data Safety: Use a VPN to protect your data when using public computers.
12. Street Food Scams
Choose busy street food vendors with many customers and visible food preparation.
- Many Customers: Avoid empty street food stalls, as they might use old or contaminated ingredients.
- Visible Preparation: Opt for street food vendors where you can see the preparation process.
- Food Quality: Choose vendors that prioritize food safety and hygiene.
13. Money Exchange Scams
Exchange money at banks or authorized money exchange shops.
- Banks: Exchange money in banks for the best rates and security.
- Authorized Money Exchange Shops: Use authorized money exchange shops, not street vendors.
- Check Rates: Compare exchange rates before finalizing the transaction.
14. Language Barrier Scams
Use translation apps or learn some basic Chinese phrases to avoid misunderstandings.
- Translation Apps: Use translation apps to communicate effectively.
- Basic Chinese Phrases: Learn some basic Chinese phrases to get by during your travels.
- Patience: Be patient when communicating with locals, as there may be language barriers.
15. Pickpocketing & Theft
Keep your belongings close and avoid showing expensive items in public.
- Avoid Showing Expensive Items: Keep valuable items hidden to avoid drawing attention.
- Keeping Belongings Close: Keep your belongings in a secure bag or pocket at all times.
- Safe Accommodations: Choose accommodations with good security measures and storage options.