Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MONEYCHANGING SCAMS
Some unscrupulous exchange counters try to rip customers off, and there are several well-
known
moneychanging scams
practised in the bigger resorts, in particular in Kuta and Sa-
nur on Bali.
SOME COMMON RIP-OFFS
• Confusing you with the number of
zeros
. It's easy for staff to give you Rp100,000
instead of Rp1,000,000.
• Giving you your money in Rp10,000
denominations
, so that you lose track.
• Tampering with the
calculator
, so that it shows a low sum even if you use it your-
self.
•
Folding notes
over to make it look as if you're getting twice as much as you are.
• Turning the lights out or otherwise
distracting
you while the pile of money is on
the counter.
•
Stealing
some notes as they “check” it for the last time.
• Once you've rumbled them and complained, telling you that the discrepancy in the
figures is due to “
commission
”.
SOME ADVICE
•
Avoid
anywhere that offers a ridiculously good rate. Stick to banks or to exchange
desks recommended by other travellers. Authorized moneychangers should dis-
play a green logo with “PVA Berizin” written on it.
• Work out the total amount you're expecting beforehand, and write it down.
• Always ask whether there is commission.
• Before signing your cheque, ask for notes in
reasonable denominations
(Rp10,000 is unreasonable, Rp50,000 is acceptable), and ask to see them first.
•
Count your money
carefully, and never hand it back to the exchange staff, as this
is when they whip away some notes without you noticing. You should be the last
person to count the money.
• So long as you haven't already
signed
a travellers' cheque, you can walk away at
any point. If you have signed the cheque, stay calm, don't get distracted, and count
everything slowly and methodically.
Cash and travellers' cheques
Before you leave home, exchange facilities should be able to get some
cash
rupiah for you.
However, rates are poor and you don't really need it; there are exchange counters at Bali's
Ngurah Rai Airport and Lombok's Selaparang Airport, which all open for arriving passen-
gers, and ATMs at Ngurah Rai. Some cash in
US dollars
is useful to take with you, but take
