When you land · Bali

What are the scams in Bali?

Six to know. Money changers with a too-good rate and sleight-of-hand counting.

Areas to avoid: None broadly; bag-snatching by motorbike late night in Kuta/Legian — keep phones off the roadside hand.

BaliScams

Areas to avoid: None broadly; bag-snatching by motorbike late night in Kuta/Legian — keep phones off the roadside hand.

The usual tricks

Money changers with a too-good rate and sleight-of-hand counting — use PVA-licensed counters with a receipt, count twice
Scooter 'damage' claims on return — photograph and video every panel before riding off, in front of the renter
ATM skimming at standalone machines — withdraw inside a BCA/BNI branch, cover the PIN
Fake Love Bali levy sites (.com/.org) charging IDR 300k+ — only lovebali.baliprov.go.id
Airport 'taxi' touts inside arrivals quoting 3× the fixed rate — official counter or Grab lounge
Cheap arak/cocktails at beach bars — methanol poisoning cases every year; drink sealed brands

Scams

Money changers with a too-good rate and sleight-of-hand counting — use PVA-licensed counters with a receipt, count twice
Scooter 'damage' claims on return — photograph and video every panel before riding off, in front of the renter
ATM skimming at standalone machines — withdraw inside a BCA/BNI branch, cover the PIN
Fake Love Bali levy sites (.com/.org) charging IDR 300k+ — only lovebali.baliprov.go.id
Airport 'taxi' touts inside arrivals quoting 3× the fixed rate — official counter or Grab lounge
Cheap arak/cocktails at beach bars — methanol poisoning cases every year; drink sealed brands

Areas to avoid

None broadly; bag-snatching by motorbike late night in Kuta/Legian — keep phones off the roadside hand

Emergency numbers