Money-exchanger teller targets Bali tourists with 'dirty trick'
- Replies 1
Bali's sun-kissed beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality draw millions of tourists each year.
However, amidst the island's many charms, there lurks a less pleasant reality that every traveller should know: the prevalence of scams targeting unsuspecting visitors.
One such deceitful practice has recently resurfaced, leaving tourists out of pocket and feeling betrayed.
The scam involved money exchange kiosks, and the incident was captured and widely shared on social media.
In the video, a female tourist confronted a teller at a money exchange booth inside HoneyWhiskey Tailors after realising she had been shortchanged.
The tourist, assisted by her host filming the encounter, can be heard asserting, 'Sorry, you give me one mil' less, not enough. You give me four, not five.'
The host also chided the money exchanger, pointing out the wrongdoing.
‘This video was sent to me by my friend Mr Tako. The guest who stayed at his homestay exchanged some money in a money changer (which I believe is a wild money changer without permission), and the money received does not match the nominal agreed,’ the video caption read.
‘This is a dirty classic [trick] that seems to be “protected” in Sanur, and it harms tourists and certainly tarnishes the tourism image.’
The scam involved the money exchanger counting the correct amount in front of the tourist.
As they gathered the notes to hand over, they skimmed some off the top, leaving the tourist with less than what was agreed upon.
To avoid falling for this scam, tourists should count their cash again while still at the exchange kiosk.
Additionally, seeking out money exchange services with up-to-date licenses or opting for official institutions like banks can provide an extra layer of security.
If you find yourself scammed, reporting the incident to local police is advised.
You can watch the video below:
Credit: @deck_sotto / Instagram
But money exchange scams aren't the only financial pitfalls to watch out for in Bali. Skimming devices on ATMs are another serious concern.
These devices capture card information and use it to create counterfeit cards.
A case saw a Ukrainian woman sentenced to prison and fined a hefty sum for her involvement in such a scheme.
To protect yourself from ATM skimming, use machines within banks or other trusted spaces, and be wary of ATMs on the street.
‘Look for signs of tampering or features that don’t fit with how the rest of the ATM looks, such as if the keypad is overly raised or looks too shiny and new,’ Finder advised.
‘Also look out for tiny cameras that could be planted anywhere around the machine (which may be used to capture your PIN as you enter it).’
‘If you notice any of these suspicious signs at the ATM, do not use it.’
Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping your money safe during travels? Share them with us in the comments below.
However, amidst the island's many charms, there lurks a less pleasant reality that every traveller should know: the prevalence of scams targeting unsuspecting visitors.
One such deceitful practice has recently resurfaced, leaving tourists out of pocket and feeling betrayed.
The scam involved money exchange kiosks, and the incident was captured and widely shared on social media.
In the video, a female tourist confronted a teller at a money exchange booth inside HoneyWhiskey Tailors after realising she had been shortchanged.
A female tourist confronted a money exchange teller when she realised she was shortchanged. Credit: @deck_sotto / Instagram
The tourist, assisted by her host filming the encounter, can be heard asserting, 'Sorry, you give me one mil' less, not enough. You give me four, not five.'
The host also chided the money exchanger, pointing out the wrongdoing.
‘This video was sent to me by my friend Mr Tako. The guest who stayed at his homestay exchanged some money in a money changer (which I believe is a wild money changer without permission), and the money received does not match the nominal agreed,’ the video caption read.
‘This is a dirty classic [trick] that seems to be “protected” in Sanur, and it harms tourists and certainly tarnishes the tourism image.’
The scam involved the money exchanger counting the correct amount in front of the tourist.
As they gathered the notes to hand over, they skimmed some off the top, leaving the tourist with less than what was agreed upon.
To avoid falling for this scam, tourists should count their cash again while still at the exchange kiosk.
Additionally, seeking out money exchange services with up-to-date licenses or opting for official institutions like banks can provide an extra layer of security.
If you find yourself scammed, reporting the incident to local police is advised.
You can watch the video below:
Credit: @deck_sotto / Instagram
But money exchange scams aren't the only financial pitfalls to watch out for in Bali. Skimming devices on ATMs are another serious concern.
These devices capture card information and use it to create counterfeit cards.
A case saw a Ukrainian woman sentenced to prison and fined a hefty sum for her involvement in such a scheme.
To protect yourself from ATM skimming, use machines within banks or other trusted spaces, and be wary of ATMs on the street.
‘Look for signs of tampering or features that don’t fit with how the rest of the ATM looks, such as if the keypad is overly raised or looks too shiny and new,’ Finder advised.
‘Also look out for tiny cameras that could be planted anywhere around the machine (which may be used to capture your PIN as you enter it).’
‘If you notice any of these suspicious signs at the ATM, do not use it.’
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