Don’t Get Ripped Off: Common Money Scams in Indonesia & How to Avoid Them

💰 Click here to see Indonesia Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: November, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = Rp18,130.00

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: Rp543,900 – Rp906,500 ($30.00 – $50.00)

Mid-range: Rp1,269,100 – Rp2,719,500 ($70.00 – $150.00)

Comfortable: Rp2,719,500 – Rp4,532,500 ($150.00 – $250.00)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: Rp36,260 – Rp362,600 ($2.00 – $20.00)

Mid-range hotel: Rp199,430 – Rp1,323,490 ($11.00 – $73.00)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: Rp45,325.00 ($2.50)

Mid-range meal: Rp181,300.00 ($10.00)

Upscale meal: Rp1,813,000.00 ($100.00)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: Rp3,500.00 ($0.19)

Monthly transport pass: Rp400,000.00 ($22.06)

You land in Indonesia tired and jet-lagged, and within an hour someone quotes you triple the normal taxi fare, a money changer hands you a thin stack of notes, and a stranger tells you the temple is “closed today.” Most people in Indonesia are honest and generous. But popular tourist areas attract a small group of people who target visitors, and in 2026 the tricks mix old methods (slick-hand counting, fake meters) with new ones (fake ride-hailing drivers, card skimmers). This guide covers each scam, how to avoid it, and how Indonesia’s payment systems work now that cashless options are everywhere.

Taxi and Ride-Hailing Scams: Protect the First Ride

The most common scam starts at the airport or bus terminal. A driver says the meter is broken, quotes a fixed inflated price, or takes a longer route to push up the fare. There are also cases of fake Gojek or Grab drivers picking up passengers who are not paying attention.

1. Use Gojek or Grab. Both show a fare estimate before you confirm, track the trip, and record the driver’s details.
2. Match the details. Before you get in, check the driver’s photo, name, licence plate and car model against the app. If anything is different, cancel and reorder.
3. For regular taxis, such as Blue Bird Group, insist on the meter (argo). If the driver refuses or says it is broken, find another taxi.
4. Negotiate only when there is no meter. Be ready to haggle down to a reasonable rate.
5. Ignore unsolicited offers. Do not accept rides from people who approach you at airports or terminals. Use the official taxi queue or book through an app.

Both Gojek and Grab have added safety features since 2024. These include in-app emergency buttons, stricter driver verification and AI-powered safety monitoring. They only protect you if you actually use the app, so do not wave down a “Grab” car that was never booked.

ATM Skimming and Card Traps: Withdraw Safely

Scammers attach skimming devices to ATMs to copy card data and hide small cameras to record your PIN. Others use “Lebanese loops” or glue to trap your card, then offer to “help” and swap or steal it.

• Choose ATMs inside bank branches or reputable shopping malls. They are better monitored.
• Inspect the machine. Look at the card slot, keypad and surrounding area for loose parts, odd attachments or signs of tampering.
• Cover the keypad with your hand when you type your PIN.



• Refuse help from strangers if your card gets stuck. Contact your bank and the ATM’s bank (if clearly marked) straight away. If the branch is open, call from inside it.

The major networks are BCA, Mandiri, BRI and BNI. Use these rather than unbranded machines in convenience stores or on quiet streets.

Money Changer Tricks: Count Before You Leave

Some money changers use “slick hand” counting to shortchange you. Others advertise a great rate on a huge sign and hide commissions or fees in tiny print.

1. Use official, licensed changers. Reputable chains include PT. Central Kuta and PT. Dirgahayu Valuta Prima, especially in tourist areas like Bali. Never change money with street vendors or anyone who approaches you.
2. Ask about commissions and fees first. A legitimate changer clearly states its “buy” and “sell” rates and any charges.
3. Count your money slowly and out loud at the counter before you walk away. Use the calculator on your phone to check the total.
4. Avoid airport counters when you can. Their rates are often worse. Change a small amount for immediate needs and the rest elsewhere.

Banks also exchange money, but usually at less favourable rates than dedicated changers.

Tourist Traps, Fake Closures and “Friendly Locals”

This group of scams relies on conversation rather than counterfeit notes. Someone friendly approaches, asks where you are from, and offers a “special” tour or help. The result is usually overcharging, pressure to buy at a batik shop or gem store, or a trip to an attraction that pays the guide a commission. A common variation is being told a popular site is “closed for a holiday” or a “private ceremony” and then being steered somewhere else.

Overcharging also happens without a story. Souvenirs, food and services can carry inflated prices in busy areas, and some places ask for “mandatory donations” that are not official.

• Ask for the price first before you eat, buy or agree to any service.
• Haggle politely in traditional markets. Bargaining is part of the culture. Start at about 50% of the asking price and work upward. Keep it friendly, because a smile gets you further than a sharp tone.
• Research typical prices on travel forums or by asking trusted locals.
• Clarify what a tour package includes so there are no surprise extras.
• Verify closures yourself. Check opening hours beforehand and ask staff at the entrance, not the person who stopped you in the street.



• Give temple donations only at official boxes or counters with clear signage.
• Be polite but firm. If you feel pressured, walk away.

Rental Scams: Motorbikes and Cars

Some rental agencies ask for your passport as collateral, which is highly risky. When you return the vehicle, they claim damage that was already there and demand an exorbitant repair fee.

• Choose rental shops with good reviews.
• Never leave your original passport. Offer a photocopy plus a cash deposit, for example 500,000 IDR to 1,000,000 IDR, which should come back when you return the vehicle safely.
• Document everything. Take detailed photos and videos of every scratch and dent from all angles, plus the fuel gauge and odometer, and point them out to the agent.
• Check your insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers rental vehicle damage, and read the insurance terms in the rental agreement.

Counterfeit Rupiah: Spot Fake Notes

Fake rupiah can turn up as change, especially in busy markets or late at night when lighting is poor. The rupiah comes in banknotes of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 IDR, plus coins of 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 IDR.

• Learn the security features. These are the watermark, security thread, intaglio (raised ink) printing and colour-shifting ink. Bank Indonesia explains them in detail at bi.go.id.
• Check the 50,000 IDR and 100,000 IDR notes especially carefully.
• Be careful with large notes. Pay with smaller notes where possible so you get less change back.

Paying Digitally in 2026: QRIS, E-Wallets and Cards

Digital payments cut down on many scams because the amount is recorded and there is no change to count. Here is how each option works.

QRIS

QRIS is Indonesia’s national QR code system, regulated by Bank Indonesia. Any app that supports QRIS can pay any merchant that shows a QRIS code. It is common at supermarkets, restaurants, small kiosks, street vendors and even public transport. It is generally free for consumers. Merchants pay a small fee (0.7% for regular businesses, 0.4% for micro-businesses).

1. Open your e-wallet or mobile banking app (Gojek, Grab, DANA, BCA mobile and others).



2. Choose “Scan QR” or “QRIS”.
3. Point your camera at the merchant’s code.
4. Enter the amount if it does not appear automatically.
5. Confirm with your PIN or biometrics.
6. Show the confirmation screen to the merchant.

E-wallets

The main apps are GoPay (gojek.com/gopay, inside Gojek), OVO (ovo.id, integrated with Grab), DANA (dana.id), ShopeePay (shopee.co.id/shopeepay) and LinkAja (linkaja.id). They are dominant in cities for ride-hailing, food delivery and in-store payments. You can also pay through mobile banking apps such as BCA mobile, Livin’ by Mandiri, BRImo and BNI Mobile Banking.

There is a catch for visitors. Registration needs an Indonesian phone number, and full verification with higher limits usually needs an Indonesian ID (KTP). Tourists may be stuck with basic accounts and lower caps. Rules can change, so check the current requirements in the app before you rely on it. You can top up through ATMs, mobile banking transfers or convenience stores such as Indomaret and Alfamart, where a fee of 2,000 IDR to 5,000 IDR is common.

Cards

Visa and Mastercard work at larger hotels, upscale restaurants, major supermarkets and international chains in urban and tourist areas. They are less useful in small shops, traditional markets and rural areas. Your home bank may charge 1% to 3% in foreign transaction fees. Some Indonesian merchants still add a 2% to 3% surcharge, even though this is officially discouraged by Bank Indonesia and card networks, so ask before you tap. To prevent card cloning, keep your card in sight and insert or tap it yourself on the machine.

2026 Budget Reality: Fees, Deposits and Tips

Knowing the normal cost of everyday money matters helps you spot an unfair charge. These are current figures you can use as a benchmark.

• ATM withdrawals: International cards typically pay 25,000 IDR to 50,000 IDR per transaction, on top of your home bank’s fees. The usual limit is 1,250,000 IDR to 2,500,000 IDR per withdrawal. Some major banks, such as BCA and Mandiri, now allow up to 5,000,000 IDR for certain premium international cards, but confirm with your bank before counting on it.
• Interbank transfers: Thanks to BI-FAST, which is fully implemented by 2026, transfers cost 2,500 IDR instead of the previous 6,500 IDR, and some are free. This makes topping up an e-wallet from another bank cheaper.
• Vehicle rental deposit: 500,000 IDR to 1,000,000 IDR in cash, refunded on return.

Budget tier

You will mostly use warungs, markets and ride-hailing. Round up fares to the nearest 5,000 IDR or 10,000 IDR, and top up e-wallets at convenience stores for 2,000 IDR to 5,000 IDR. Carry small notes (5,000, 10,000, 20,000 IDR).

Mid-range tier

Many mid-to-high-end restaurants add a service charge (typically 5% to 10%) and 10% government tax. If no service charge is added, round up or leave 10,000 IDR to 20,000 IDR. Porters and hotel staff are happy with 10,000 IDR to 20,000 IDR per bag or service.

Comfortable tier

You will use cards in hotels and upscale venues, so budget for 1% to 3% foreign fees and watch for 2% to 3% surcharges. Tour guides usually receive 50,000 IDR to 100,000 IDR per person per day, depending on the length and quality of the tour. Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated.

Common Mistakes Travellers Still Make

• Taking the first taxi that offers. Always use an app or an official queue.
• Using the ATM with the best “deal” rather than the safest one. A bank branch or mall is better than a quiet roadside machine.
• Leaving the changer’s counter without counting. Once you leave, you cannot prove a shortfall.
• Handing over a passport for a scooter. Offer a photocopy and deposit only.
• Believing a stranger about a closure. Check at the entrance yourself.
• Forgetting cash for rural trips. Cash remains essential in rural areas, traditional markets and small warungs, even with QRIS growing.
• Trusting online “high return” offers. Indonesian authorities are stepping up action on online fraud, investment scams and phishing, so be very careful with unsolicited messages.
• Not checking train payment options. For long-distance trains, buy through the official KAI Access app or kai.id, where bank transfers, cards and GoPay, OVO, DANA and LinkAja are generally accepted. For KRL Commuterline, use a Kartu Multi Trip, an e-money card (Flazz BCA, e-money Mandiri, TapCash BNI, Brizzi BRI) or QRIS, which is now more widely available at stations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indonesia safe from money scams for tourists?

Indonesia is generally welcoming, but scams do exist in busy tourist areas. The most common are taxi overcharging, money changer tricks, ATM skimming, rental damage claims and fake attraction closures. Use official apps, licensed changers, bank ATMs and clear agreements, and you will avoid almost all of them.

Should I use cash or QRIS in Indonesia in 2026?

Use both. QRIS is widely accepted from supermarkets to street vendors and is generally free for consumers. However, cash remains essential in rural areas, traditional markets and small warungs. Carry small notes of 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 IDR for places that do not accept digital payments.

How can I avoid fake Gojek or Grab drivers?

Book only through the official app, then check the driver’s photo, name, licence plate and car model before you get in. If anything does not match, cancel and reorder. Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you at an airport or terminal claiming to be your driver.

How much are ATM fees for foreign cards in Indonesia?

International cards typically pay 25,000 IDR to 50,000 IDR per withdrawal, in addition to your home bank’s fees. Limits per transaction are usually 1,250,000 IDR to 2,500,000 IDR. Some major banks allow up to 5,000,000 IDR for certain premium cards, so confirm with your bank first.

Do I need to tip in Indonesia?

Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. Many restaurants already add a service charge of 5% to 10%. Otherwise, round up or leave 10,000 IDR to 20,000 IDR. For drivers, round up the fare by 5,000 IDR to 10,000 IDR, and for guides, tip 50,000 IDR to 100,000 IDR per person per day.

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📷 Featured image by Hobi industri on Unsplash.