![[Travel Scam Alert] Common Money Exchange Scams in Bali and How to Avoid Them](https://images.gobaligo.id/vocus/vocus_6a1e5b9dfca863d1255e95b63e94b8cf.jpg)
Bottom line: The most common money exchange scam in Bali is the “sleight of hand” — the clerk counts the Indonesian rupiah in front of you, but as they hand it over, a quick move causes some bills to slide behind the counter, nearly impossible to catch even in slow motion. Protect yourself with three simple steps: only exchange money at banks, airports, or authorized exchange booths with government certification, familiarize yourself with the different rupiah denominations, and recount the cash yourself twice on the spot before leaving.
Bali’s peak tourist season is here, and so is the peak of scams
As the annual travel season kicks off, more and more visitors are arriving in Bali, and the infamous money exchange scams are also stirring once again.
For seasoned travelers, these scams may be old news, but for first-time visitors to Bali, they remain a minefield of traps.
Traditional scam tactics—still alive and well?
Although more people are using credit cards these days, and many restaurants, cafes, and shops accept card payments, the “cash is king” mentality still prevails in Bali. Cash is especially indispensable when you venture beyond the main tourist hotspots.
Read more: Credit Card Fraud/Fees/Surcharges: Is It Safe to Use Credit Cards in Bali?
What seems like a legitimate, safe, and transparent exchange process hides a shocking “magic trick.”
How the Money Exchange Scam Works
This scam is executed with remarkable subtlety and can be highly deceptive. Here’s a typical scenario:
- You walk into a street-side currency exchange booth.
- The clerk confirms the exchange rate and counts out the foreign currency you want to exchange.
- He pulls out a stack of Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) notes from under the counter and counts them in front of you.
- After counting the bills several times, he neatly stacks them and prepares to hand them over.
- In that split second, he uses a sleight-of-hand trick to drop some bills behind the counter or into a drawer.
Even if you watch the entire process closely, you might not notice anything wrong. Many recorded videos, even when replayed in slow motion, make it hard to spot the trick.
How to Protect Yourself from This Scam
- Only Use Authorized Exchange Outlets Conduct transactions at banks, airports, resorts, or exchange booths with official government certification.
- Familiarize Yourself with Indonesian Rupiah Notes Different denominations and colors can be confusing, especially for first-time visitors, making it easy to misjudge the amount.
- Count Your Money Twice Yourself After receiving the cash, personally count it on the spot, even if others are waiting in line. Don’t rush away.
Legitimate businesses won’t mind this at all—in fact, they encourage customers to verify the amount.
Further reading: Indonesia/Bali Travel Currency Exchange Guide: What Currency Does Indonesia/Bali Use? How to Get the Best Rates? Where to Exchange Money?
Conclusion: A Moment of Carelessness Could Cost You Hundreds of Dollars
Bali is a beautiful tropical paradise, but it’s also a global tourist hotspot. The more popular the area, the more likely you’ll encounter sophisticated scams.
Only by staying alert and being well-prepared can you ensure a smooth and worry-free trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do currency exchange scams in Bali work?
The most common trick is ‘fast counting and swapping,’ where the clerk uses sleight of hand to quickly hide some bills while counting, so you end up with less money than you should, without noticing on the spot.
2. Where is the safest place to exchange money in Bali?
It’s best to exchange money at banks, officially licensed exchange offices (look for the ‘PVA Berizin’ sign), or at major hotels and airport counters—these places offer more security.
Here’s what the PVA sign looks like
3. Can I recover my money if I’ve already been scammed?
It varies. If you catch it on the spot and react immediately, the shop might ‘play dumb’ and return the cash. But if you only notice after leaving, the chances of recovery are very low. You can file a report with the local Tourist Police.
4. Which money exchange shops in Bali should I be especially cautious of?
Avoid unlicensed roadside shops or currency exchange booths offering unusually favorable rates. Many scams occur at stalls advertising ‘No Commission’ or ‘High Rate.’
5. Can I film the money exchange process to protect myself?
Yes. While some staff may resist, filming in a public place is legal. It can serve as evidence in case of disputes.
6. What are common confusions with Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) banknotes?
Indonesian Rupiah comes in many denominations, from 1,000 to 100,000, with similar colors and long strings of zeros. Beginners often mistake the amounts and denominations, so extra caution is needed.
Indonesian Rupiah denominations are easy for beginners to confuse
7. Why do some money exchange shops offer particularly high rates?
This is often a lure to attract tourists. During the actual transaction, they may use tricks to shortchange you or manipulate the exchange receipt.
8. Is using an ATM safer?
Generally, yes, but avoid ATMs in remote, poorly lit, or unmonitored locations. Some ATMs may have ‘card skimmers’ installed. Before using, try wiggling the card slot, or choose ATMs inside banks or large supermarkets.
9. Can using a travel card or credit card completely avoid cash scams?
It’s recommended to use a mix of cash and digital payments during your trip, with credit cards as a backup.
10. Where can I find Bali’s official Tourist Police?
👇 Insider Deals for Bali 👇
Tourist Police offices are located in all major tourist areas. You can find the nearest one by searching ‘Tourist Police Bali’ on Google Maps.
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