Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Wuxi, Hunan, China

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

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Wuxi, Hunan, China

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1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced taxis by using official taxi stands or mobile apps like Didi Chuxing.
  • Official Taxi Stands: Ensures fair pricing and licensed drivers.
  • Didi Chuxing: China's equivalent to Uber, offers convenience and competitive prices.
  • Avoid Unmarked Taxis: Unmarked taxis may overcharge or not have valid meters.

2. Counterfeit Goods Market

Avoid buying counterfeit goods from street vendors; head to legitimate shopping centers like Wuxi Plaza or New Wuxi Paradise for genuine items.
  • Wuxi Plaza: Largest shopping mall in Wuxi, offers a variety of international brands.
  • New Wuxi Paradise: Modern shopping complex with popular Chinese and foreign brands.
  • Street Vendors: May sell counterfeit or low-quality items.

3. Scam ATMs

Use ATMs located inside banks or shopping malls to avoid skimming devices on standalone machines.
  • Bank ATMs: Offer greater security and fewer chances of fraud.
  • Shopping Mall ATMs: Also safer due to increased surveillance.
  • Standalone ATMs: May have skimming devices installed.

4. Fraudulent Tours

Book tours through reputable travel agencies like Ctrip or Wuxi Tourism Service Center to ensure a legitimate experience.
  • Ctrip: China's largest online travel agency, offers a wide variety of tours.
  • Wuxi Tourism Service Center: Official tourism service center for Wuxi, provides reliable information and tours.
  • Street Vendors: May offer overpriced or non-existent tours.

5. Fake Guides

Ask for an official guide badge and check their identification at tourist attractions to ensure authenticity.
  • Official Guide Badge: Identifies licensed and trustworthy guides.
  • Check ID: Ensures the guide is actually employed by the attraction.
  • Unlicensed Guides: May provide misleading information or ask for unnecessary payments.

6. Fraudulent Police Officers

Ask for identification and contact your embassy if a police officer approaches you unexpectedly or requests money.
  • Request ID Verification: Ensures the officer is legitimate and helps prevent extortion.
  • Contact Your Embassy: Provides support in case of emergency or if there's suspicion of fraud.
  • Unauthorized Approach: Police officers typically do not approach individuals randomly on the street.

7. Overpriced Food and Drinks

Avoid street food stalls near tourist areas; opt for restaurants in local neighborhoods or popular chains like Dicos for affordable and delicious meals.
  • Local Neighborhood Restaurants: Offer authentic, affordable, and delicious dishes.
  • Dicos: Popular fast-food chain serving Chinese and Western cuisine at reasonable prices.
  • Street Food Stalls Near Tourist Areas: May overcharge or serve low-quality food.

8. Fake Money

Examine bills carefully and pay attention to subtle differences between genuine and fake notes.
  • Subtle Differences: Includes watermarks, security threads, and other features.
  • Feel of the Bill: Genuine bills have a distinct texture and weight.
  • Exchange at Banks or Authorized Exchange Centers: Reduces risk of receiving counterfeit money.

9. Shore Excursion Scams

Book shore excursions through the cruise ship or a reputable travel agency before arrival in Wuxi to avoid overpriced and low-quality options.
  • Cruise Ship Bookings: Offer organized, reliable, and often discounted shore excursions.
  • Reputable Travel Agencies: Provide a variety of tours at competitive prices.
  • Street Vendors: May offer overpriced or low-quality shore excursions.

10. Sim Card Scams

Purchase SIM cards from authorized retailers like China Mobile or China Unicom to avoid overpriced or malfunctioning cards.
  • Authorized Retailers: Offer genuine, functional SIM cards and customer support.
  • Overpriced Cards: May charge excessive prices or not work properly.
  • Street Vendors: May sell counterfeit SIM cards or overcharge for service.

11. Language Barrier Scams

Ask locals or use translation apps to confirm prices and avoid misunderstandings that could result in overpaying.
  • Locals: Can help clarify any confusion.
  • Translation Apps: Provide real-time translation of conversations and written texts.
  • Misunderstandings: Can lead to overpaying or other scams.

12. Accommodation Scams

Book accommodation through reputable websites like Booking.com or Agoda to avoid subpar and overpriced accommodations.
  • Reputable Websites: Offer a variety of options at competitive prices.
  • Overpriced Accommodations: May charge higher-than-average rates for subpar accommodations.
  • Subpar Accommodations: May lack basic amenities or be in unsafe locations.

13. Unlicensed Massage Parlors

Choose massage parlors located in shopping malls or tourist areas with visible signage and licensed therapists to avoid illegal activities.
  • Shopping Mall/Tourist Area Parlors: Offer legitimate services with trained staff.
  • Visible Signage: Indicates the parlor is licensed and reputable.
  • Illegal Activities: May occur in unlicensed or hidden massage parlors.

14. Ticket Scalping

Purchase event tickets from authorized ticket sellers or venues to avoid overpriced or counterfeit tickets.
  • Authorized Ticket Sellers: Offer genuine, affordable tickets.
  • Overpriced/Counterfeit Tickets: May charge excessively high prices or provide counterfeit tickets.
  • Street Vendors: May sell overpriced or counterfeit tickets.

15. Train Ticket Scams

Purchase train tickets at authorized ticket offices or through the China Railway Corporation's mobile app to avoid overpriced and counterfeit tickets.
  • Authorized Ticket Offices: Offer genuine, affordable train tickets.
  • China Railway Corporation's App: Allows for easy ticket booking and reduces the risk of fraud.
  • Street Vendors: May sell overpriced or counterfeit train tickets.
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