Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Yuncheng, Shanxi, China

1. Counterfeit Taxi Scam

Unlicensed taxi drivers charging inflated fares or taking longer routes.

Official Taxis: Recognize official taxis by their license plates and yellow color.
Fare Estimates: Ask for a fare estimate before starting the journey to avoid unexpected charges.
Trusted Apps: Use trusted taxi apps like Didi and Kuaidi for bookings and payments.

Hotels overcharging foreign tourists for their rooms.

Price Comparison: Compare prices of hotels on various online booking platforms.
Local Recommendations: Seek local recommendations or advice from hotel staff at the tourist information center.
Negotiation Skills: Negotiate prices and ask for any available discounts.

Unlicensed tour guides providing substandard services or leading tourists to overpriced shops.

Licensing Information: Check for a valid tour guide license and ask for proper identification.
Tour Reviews: Read reviews of tour guides or agencies online before booking.
Itinerary Clarification: Ask for a detailed itinerary and clarify all inclusions and exclusions.

Overcharging foreigners or selling poor quality goods.

Bargaining Skills: Develop bargaining skills to negotiate prices.
Local Prices: Ask locals for the correct price or compare prices with other shops.
Quality Checks: Inspect goods carefully before purchasing to ensure quality.

Exchanging money at unofficial exchange booths or receiving fake currency.

Official Exchange Centers: Use official banks, hotels, or airport exchange centers.
Currency Checks: Check the authenticity of currency by feeling for holograms and watermarks.
Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates with other establishments to avoid overpricing.

Serving undercooked or contaminated food.

Skimming devices attached to ATMs to steal card data.

Well-lit ATMs: Use ATMs in well-lit, visible areas and avoid isolated machines.
Card Skimmers: Check for unusual devices attached to the card reader or pin pad.
Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent keyloggers.

Posing as friendly locals to gain trust before asking for money or stealing items.

Trust Your Gut: Trust your instincts and be cautious of overly friendly strangers.
Ask for ID: Ask for identification if someone claims to be a local official or police officer.
Sharing Personal Information: Minimize sharing personal information with strangers, especially in public places.

Charging inflated fares or taking longer routes.

Fare Estimates: Ask for a fare estimate before starting the journey to avoid unexpected charges.
Local Prices: Ask locals for the correct price or compare prices with other rickshaws.
Busy Areas: Avoid using rickshaws in isolated areas or late at night.

Sellers refusing to negotiate prices or offering poor quality goods.

Bargaining Skills: Develop bargaining skills to negotiate prices.
Local Prices: Ask locals for the correct price or compare prices with other shops.
Quality Checks: Inspect goods carefully before purchasing to ensure quality.

Taking advantage of language barriers to overcharge or sell low-quality items.

Language Translation Tools: Use translation apps or carry a phrasebook for communication.
Local Assistance: Seek local assistance when negotiating prices or making purchases.
Trusted Sellers: Find trusted sellers who have experience dealing with foreign tourists.

Overcharging for hotel rooms or providing substandard accommodations.

Price Comparison: Compare prices of hotels on various online booking platforms.
Local Recommendations: Seek local recommendations or advice from hotel staff at the tourist information center.
Hotel Reviews: Read reviews of hotels online before booking.

Installing keyloggers or spyware on computers to steal personal information.

Reputable Internet Cafés: Choose reputable internet cafes that have good reviews.
Password Protection: Use secure passwords and avoid logging into sensitive accounts.
Antivirus Software: Install antivirus software on your devices before using public computers.

Charging inflated prices for tickets or providing substandard experiences.

Advance Bookings: Book tickets in advance to avoid overpricing.
Local Prices: Ask locals for the correct price or compare prices with other attractions.
Online Research: Research ticket prices and experiences online before visiting.

Using unsafe or poorly maintained vehicles for transportation.

Safe Transport Options: Choose safe transport options like official taxis, buses, and trains.
Vehicle Inspection: Inspect the vehicle before getting in to ensure it's well-maintained.
Driving Safety: Wear seatbelts and follow safety instructions during transportation.