Don't get scammed in Bali

Don't let scams ruin your holiday in Bali

There could be nothing worse than being ripped off while you are enjoying your Bali holiday. Unfortunately almost anyone that has travelled to Bali can recount at least one situation where they have been taken advantage of.
Here are a few of the common small scams, and a few tips to protect you from them.

1. Money Changer Scam

There are a large number of unscrupulous money changers around Bali and they are easy to spot. They are generally the smaller operations that offer a slightly higher exchange rate than average. Avoid these places like the plague. They will give you your money in small denominations and they will use distraction and sleight of hand to trick you out of your cash.

Tip: Always utilise the larger more professional looking outfits. The exchange rate may be lower but you should receive the correct amount returned.  Always count your money before leaving the establishment and be brave enough to question if you feel cheated.

2. Taxi Scam

Bali taxi drivers have plenty of scams up their sleeves and most of them are common throughout the world. A relatively new scam Bali's taxi drivers are employing is the lack of change con.

The driver will take a customer to their destination. If they are paid in a high denomination note they will claim that they are unable to make change for the note they have received. They will then make no effort to seek this change from somebody else. And they will wait for the customer to offer the remaining amount as a tip.

Tip: It is very important to request that a taxis meter is turned on. If the meter remains off the driver can make up an exorbitant amount to charge at the completion of the journey. Whenever you use a taxi in Bali make sure you have small notes available.

3.  Rental Scam

When a punter rents a motorbike, car, surfboard etc it will seem to be in perfect condition. When they return the rental it has some small fault. The tourist is then expected to pay for the repair of this fault. And they are inevitably charged an inflated price for this repair.

Example: Small surfboard rental businesses on Kuta Beach sometimes put one Balsawood fin in the surfboard. This fin breaks after a few moments of use.

Tip: Most Bali holiday-makers have a camera available. Make use of this to capture a detailed record of any marks, scratches or faults in anything you are renting. Let the person renting you the item see you do this. It is usually enough to keep them honest.

4. Commission-Gathering Scam 

The driver on a private tour will sometimes tell his customers that he knows a cheap family owned place for them to shop, eat, or to do a tour. What he won't say is that he receives commission for taking tourists to these places. And that he is willing to drive them, at their expense, miles out of their way to get them there.

Tip: Work out with the driver where you want to go beforehand. Be forceful and tell him that you are willing to cancel the tour and seek somebody else's services if he deviates from this chosen destination. 

5. Pressuring Scam

People selling in Kuta will sometimes try and pressure a potential purchaser into buying their product. They will enlist the help of others to achieve this. The customer finds themselves surrounded by two or three people and the product is forcibly pushed onto their person.

Bracelets are a good example of this. You should never allow anyone to tie a bracelet to your wrist. Once you are wearing it you will be expected to buy it.

Tip: Balinese sellers can sniff out a fresh tourist so learning the Indonesian word for 'no' can come in handy. If you find yourself in this situation be strong and be willing to refuse and walk away. (Tidak Makasi = No thank you)

©Malcolm Scott