Aussies, beware! There's a 'sneaky' scam targeting unsuspecting tourists in Bali
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Whenever there's a place filled with sunshine and a warm atmosphere, you can bet Australians have paid it a visit at least once—and Bali is no exception!
For many Australians, Bali is like a second home, and it's easy to see why. The island offers so much to adore: affordability, a rich tapestry of culture and stunning natural wonders. It tempts them with its laid-back island lifestyle, inviting us to kick back, unwind, and enjoy the good life.
The balmy island of Bali has long been a favourite holiday destination for Aussies of all ages seeking sun, surf and serenity. However, partaking in Bali's delights does carry the need for some vigilance, especially when it comes to protecting our hard-earned money while on holiday.
Today, we bring to light a 'sneaky' scam being practised on the island that aims to rob unsuspecting tourists of their financial security. An Aussie who had experienced it firsthand shared about this covert operation, capturing the attention of a popular Aussie travellers' Facebook group.
The incident involved the 'unfortunate' Commonwealth Bank ATM in the busy Seminyak supermarket. What happened? Apparently, someone had placed a 'broken' sign over the card slot of this functional ATM machine.
An unsuspecting tourist might think: 'See those other ATMs around the corner? Let's move to those instead!'
But alas, therein lies the trap! These conveniently placed ATM machines are believed to harbour card-skimming devices, eagerly waiting to feast on the victims' account details.
'Just a heads up', warned the good Samaritan Aussie on social media, 'A guy wearing a purple shirt keeps on putting a "broken" sign on the Commonwealth Bank ATM at the Bintang supermarket.'
Just as the unsuspecting tourists were about to head towards those other ATMs, the good-hearted tourist would swoop in, assuring them that the Commonwealth Bank ATM was up and running smoothly. With a friendly warning, he would also alert them about the sneaky criminals lurking nearby.
The scammer's annoyance was quite apparent whenever someone interrupted his scheme. 'The fella kept watching me like he was angry, and as soon as I walked away, I witnessed him placing another sign on it,' added the traveller.
It seems that this sneaky scheme has been around for a while. Many members of the group confirmed that it's a clever tactic that aims to lead people to ATMs equipped with sophisticated skimming devices specifically designed to steal your card information.
Believe it or not, your identity can be stolen right under your nose without suspecting anything. And the most frightening part? This isn't just happening in Bali!
While it's comforting to know that Commonwealth Bank ATMs in Bali are relatively safe because they are regularly monitored, there's still a concerning issue with fraudulent machines.
'If this machine were broken, it would display an electronic message or a black screen. Commonwealth ATMs are the safest ones', advised another well-meaning group member.
Experienced travellers suggest that tourists go for cash instead, completely avoiding this risky situation altogether.
As we all know, Bali is an absolute paradise, but even in paradise, it's important to keep our eyes wide open! So, let's stay savvy and safe while we continue to explore this amazing place. We definitely don't want those sneaky scammers ruining our adventures or emptying our wallets!
Members, do you have any other security advice when travelling abroad? We'd love to hear your top tips that you always remember! Share them with us in the comments below!
For many Australians, Bali is like a second home, and it's easy to see why. The island offers so much to adore: affordability, a rich tapestry of culture and stunning natural wonders. It tempts them with its laid-back island lifestyle, inviting us to kick back, unwind, and enjoy the good life.
The balmy island of Bali has long been a favourite holiday destination for Aussies of all ages seeking sun, surf and serenity. However, partaking in Bali's delights does carry the need for some vigilance, especially when it comes to protecting our hard-earned money while on holiday.
Today, we bring to light a 'sneaky' scam being practised on the island that aims to rob unsuspecting tourists of their financial security. An Aussie who had experienced it firsthand shared about this covert operation, capturing the attention of a popular Aussie travellers' Facebook group.
Aussie travellers are advised to exercise caution when using ATMs in Bali. Credit: Facebook.
The incident involved the 'unfortunate' Commonwealth Bank ATM in the busy Seminyak supermarket. What happened? Apparently, someone had placed a 'broken' sign over the card slot of this functional ATM machine.
An unsuspecting tourist might think: 'See those other ATMs around the corner? Let's move to those instead!'
But alas, therein lies the trap! These conveniently placed ATM machines are believed to harbour card-skimming devices, eagerly waiting to feast on the victims' account details.
'Just a heads up', warned the good Samaritan Aussie on social media, 'A guy wearing a purple shirt keeps on putting a "broken" sign on the Commonwealth Bank ATM at the Bintang supermarket.'
Just as the unsuspecting tourists were about to head towards those other ATMs, the good-hearted tourist would swoop in, assuring them that the Commonwealth Bank ATM was up and running smoothly. With a friendly warning, he would also alert them about the sneaky criminals lurking nearby.
The scammer's annoyance was quite apparent whenever someone interrupted his scheme. 'The fella kept watching me like he was angry, and as soon as I walked away, I witnessed him placing another sign on it,' added the traveller.
It seems that this sneaky scheme has been around for a while. Many members of the group confirmed that it's a clever tactic that aims to lead people to ATMs equipped with sophisticated skimming devices specifically designed to steal your card information.
Believe it or not, your identity can be stolen right under your nose without suspecting anything. And the most frightening part? This isn't just happening in Bali!
While it's comforting to know that Commonwealth Bank ATMs in Bali are relatively safe because they are regularly monitored, there's still a concerning issue with fraudulent machines.
'If this machine were broken, it would display an electronic message or a black screen. Commonwealth ATMs are the safest ones', advised another well-meaning group member.
Experienced travellers suggest that tourists go for cash instead, completely avoiding this risky situation altogether.
As we all know, Bali is an absolute paradise, but even in paradise, it's important to keep our eyes wide open! So, let's stay savvy and safe while we continue to explore this amazing place. We definitely don't want those sneaky scammers ruining our adventures or emptying our wallets!
Members, do you have any other security advice when travelling abroad? We'd love to hear your top tips that you always remember! Share them with us in the comments below!
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