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Currency exchange scams in Indonesia

Short-counts, rigged calculators, posted-vs-actual rate switches and the 'authorised' window stickers that protect you. Bali especially.

4 min read

Bali and a handful of other tourist areas have a persistent ecosystem of scammy money-changers. Their playbook is always the same: post a great rate to lure you in, then short-count, switch rates, or use rigged calculators at the moment of exchange. The two simple defences — use authorised changers or use bank ATMs — eliminate the risk almost entirely.

The recurring patterns

1. The short-count

What happens: changer counts out a fat stack of IDR for you, performs a sleight-of-hand to remove 1-3 of the larger notes during counting, then hands you the reduced stack. You walk out unaware.

Where: small money-changers on side streets in Kuta, Legian, Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, central Jakarta tourist hotels, central Yogyakarta.

Prevention: recount the stack in front of the cashier before leaving the window. Use only authorised changers with the green PVA Berizin sticker.

2. The bait-and-switch rate

What happens: window posts a great rate (e.g. 15,800 IDR per USD when actual is 15,400). You hand over USD. They quote IDR at a much lower rate citing "today's rate," "small note discount," or "commission."

Prevention: confirm the exact rate that will apply to your bills (often denomination-dependent) BEFORE handing over your money. Get the calculation in writing on a slip.

3. The rigged calculator

What happens: cashier shows the math on a calculator that's set to multiply or divide incorrectly. Numbers look right but the total is wrong.

Prevention: do your own math beforehand (USD amount × posted rate = expected IDR). If their calculation differs significantly, refuse and walk away.

4. Commission ambush

What happens: rate is correct, but a "commission" of 3-5% is added at the end of the transaction.

Prevention: ask "no commission?" before handing over money. Authorised changers in Bali tend to be commission-free.

5. Counting out small denominations

What happens: changer counts out IDR mostly in tiny IDR 5,000 and IDR 10,000 notes (instead of IDR 50k/100k). Three things happen: (a) it takes forever to recount; (b) errors hide more easily; (c) the small denominations are sometimes counterfeit-mixed.

Prevention: request larger denominations. Reputable changers will hand over mostly IDR 50,000 and IDR 100,000 notes.

6. The "back room" exchange

What happens: changer tells you they're "out of small notes" or "need to verify your bills" and takes them to a back room. Some bills may not come back; the count may be wrong.

Prevention: don't let your money leave the front counter. If the changer needs to fetch from a back room, that's a stop sign.

7. Counterfeit notes

What happens: changer includes some counterfeit IDR notes in the stack. By the time you discover (often at a shop or hotel), you can't trace it back.

Prevention: hold notes up to light to verify the watermark (IDR 100,000 notes have a clear Sudirman watermark and a Garuda hologram). Check for the texture difference of newer notes.

Where to exchange safely

Best: bank-branch ATMs

  • Use BCA, Mandiri, BNI ATMs inside actual bank branches
  • Withdraw the maximum your home bank allows per transaction (typically IDR 1.5–2.5 million)
  • Real-time exchange rate via your home bank's interbank rate (better than most changers)
  • No counting errors, no commission games

Second-best: authorised money-changers

  • Look for the green PVA Berizin sticker on the window (BMRI / Bank Indonesia licence)
  • Look for prominent, multi-currency rates displayed clearly
  • Larger, established outlets (Central Kuta Money Changer, Dirgahayu, BMC) have decades of reputation

Avoid

  • Tiny street-front changers with no licence sticker
  • Anyone posting rates significantly above competitors
  • Anyone offering exchange in your hotel lobby outside of a proper bank kiosk

What to do if you've been short-counted

  1. Stay calm at the counter. Recount, point out the discrepancy.
  2. If refused, photograph the counter and the staff name/badge.
  3. Note the changer's name and licence number.
  4. Report to the tourist police (Bali +62 361 224 111). The threat of escalation often resolves it.
  5. If using a credit card to convert (unusual but possible) — escalate via chargeback.

Verification

PVA-licensed money-changer list (Bali): published by Bank Indonesia. Tourist police (Bali): +62 361 224 111.

Related reading

FAQ

What's the typical exchange rate spread? Bank ATM withdrawal gets you ~0.5-1% off interbank. Authorised changers typically 1-2%. Scam changers often advertise the same rate but deliver 5-15% worse via short-counts or commissions.

Should I bring USD or IDR cash? Bring some USD as backup. For day-to-day, use ATM withdrawals to get IDR at the best rate.