Quick Answer
China is not a high-scam payment environment for everyday travel.
Most payment problems come from misunderstanding how QR payments work, not from criminals.
Know a few real risk patterns, and ignore the rest.
The Core Reality (Important Context)
In daily life:
- Payments are standardized
- Wallets show merchant names clearly
- Transactions are traceable
- Random strangers rarely initiate payment requests
If something feels confusing, it is usually not a scam—just the wrong flow.
The Most Common Real Risks
1. Scanning the Wrong QR Code
What happens
- You scan a nearby QR
- It turns out to be a personal transfer, not a merchant
Why it happens
- Many QRs look similar
- Personal QRs are common in China
What to do
- Always confirm the merchant name before paying
- If it shows a person’s name, cancel immediately
This is the #1 real risk, and it is easy to avoid.
2. Duplicate Payments From Repeated Taps
What happens
- Payment is slow
- You tap again
- Two payments go through later
Why it happens
- Network delay
- Impatience at the counter
What to do
- If status is unclear, check Bills
- Do not retry while “Processing”
This is user error, not fraud—but costly.
3. “Pay Me Directly” Requests
What happens
- Someone asks you to transfer money to their personal QR
- Claims it’s faster or “the same”
Why it matters
- Personal transfers are harder to dispute
- No merchant record
What to do
- Use official merchant QRs only
- If unsure, pay cash or leave
4. Fake Help With Your Phone
What happens
- A stranger offers to “help” you scan or pay
- Touches your phone or guides taps
Why it matters
- You may approve the wrong payment
- You lose control of the transaction
What to do
- Do not hand over your phone
- Step back and reset calmly
5. Overpaying in Tourist Areas
What happens
- Prices are higher
- Not a scam, just location-based pricing
What to do
- Check price before paying
- Decide if convenience is worth it
High prices ≠ scams.
Things That Look Like Scams but Aren’t
- Staff insisting on one wallet
- Staff refusing cash
- No printed receipt
- Payment confirmation only in-app
- Staff not understanding English
These are normal.
What You Will Almost Never Encounter
- Card skimming at terminals
- Fake QR stickers on machines
- Forced payments
- Aggressive solicitation
These are extremely rare in everyday travel.
Golden Rules to Stay Safe
- Read the merchant name before confirming
- Do not retry payments blindly
- Do not hand your phone to strangers
- Step aside if confused
- Use cash as a fallback
Following these avoids nearly all issues.
Reality Check
- China’s payment system is highly traceable
- Most problems are reversible
- Staff are not trying to trick you
- Calm behavior prevents mistakes
Confidence reduces risk.
What Locals Do Instead
- They glance at the merchant name
- They stop when something feels off
- They check bills before retrying
- They walk away if uncertain
Copy this behavior.
Checklist
- Confirm merchant name before paying.
- Avoid personal transfer QRs.
- Never retry during “Processing.”
- Keep control of your phone.
- Use cash if unsure.