Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Balikpapan, Indonesia
1. Sim Card Scam
Sellers offering cheaper SIM cards but installing fake ones that drain credit or don't work. Avoid unofficial kiosks.
- Unauthorized SIMs: Sim cards provided without proper documentation and registration.
- Drain of Credit: SIM cards draining credit or not working after initial use.
- Lack of Coverage: SIMs provided not covering necessary areas, leaving the user without service.
2. Taxis Overcharging
Taxi drivers taking longer routes or charging inflated prices. Use metered taxis or pre-negotiate rates.
- Longer Routes: Taxis taking unnecessarily long routes to increase fare.
- Inflated Prices: Drivers charging prices higher than the actual cost of travel.
- Unmetered Taxis: Taxi drivers refusing to use meter and instead negotiating an inflated price.
3. Counterfeit Currency
Receiving fake IDR notes in change or during transactions. Verify the authenticity of bills.
- Inauthentic Bills: Counterfeit Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) banknotes being passed as genuine.
- Color Alterations: Counterfeit bills having slightly different colors or textures compared to authentic notes.
- Feel and Sound: Authentic bills have a distinct feel and sound when rubbed or shaken, which counterfeits may lack.
4. Overpriced Souvenirs
Shopkeepers charging excessively high prices for local souvenirs. Research prices beforehand and bargain.
- Excessive Pricing: Local souvenir items being priced significantly higher than their actual value.
- Lack of Awareness: Travelers unaware of the average prices for local souvenirs, allowing overpricing.
- Bargaining Opportunities: Negotiating with shopkeepers can help lower prices and secure better deals.
5. Gold Scam
Scammers selling gold jewelry that is fake or worth significantly less than stated. Research local gold prices and verify authenticity.
- Inauthentic Gold Jewelry: Gold jewelry being made of a cheaper metal or plated with gold.
- Exaggerated Prices: Gold jewelry being priced excessively high compared to the actual value.
- Unwitting Purchasers: Travelers not being aware of local gold prices, making them vulnerable to overpaying.
6. Fraudulent Accommodation
Rental properties offering poor quality or services, or not existing at all. Research accommodations thoroughly and pay securely online.
- Poor Quality: Accommodation facilities not meeting the promised standards.
- Non-existent Properties: Listed properties that either do not exist or are significantly different from the online description.
- Payment Scams: Accommodation providers requesting payment outside of secure platforms, putting travelers at risk.
7. Overcharging at Restaurants
Restaurants charging excessively high prices for food or drinks. Research menu prices beforehand and verify bills.
- Excessive Prices: Food and drink prices being significantly higher than the actual cost.
- Lack of Awareness: Travelers unaware of the average prices for local food, allowing overcharging.
- Hidden Charges: Restaurants adding on unnecessary charges or taxes that are not disclosed beforehand.
8. Tour Guide Scams
Guides providing misinformation or taking travelers to unauthorized attractions for commissions. Research tours and guides thoroughly.
- Misinformation: Tour guides providing false or inaccurate information about attractions.
- Unauthorized Attractions: Guides taking travelers to unlicensed or illegal attractions for personal gain.
- Commission-based Guiding: Tour guides receiving commissions from shops, restaurants, or other establishments visited during the tour.
9. Street Food Health Risks
Street food vendors using unhygienic practices or selling potentially unsafe foods. Stick to established street food stalls and be cautious.
- Unsanitary Practices: Vendors not adhering to proper hygiene standards, such as washing hands or using clean utensils.
- Contaminated Foods: Food items being handled or stored improperly, increasing the risk of contamination.
- Lack of Regulation: Street food vendors not following local health and safety regulations.
10. Pickpocketing
Thieves targeting travelers in crowded areas or during transit. Keep belongings secure and avoid displaying valuable items.
- Crowded Areas: Thieves taking advantage of large crowds to commit pickpocketing.
- Public Transit: Pickpockets targeting travelers during transit, such as buses or trains.
- Valuable Items: Travelers unknowingly displaying valuable items, making them targets for theft.
11. False Emergency Situations
Scammers posing as police or officials to extort money from travelers. Verify the authenticity of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer.
- False Identification: Individuals using fake identification cards to pose as police or officials.
- Extortion Attempts: Scammers trying to extort money from travelers by threatening them with false charges or fines.
- Lack of Awareness: Travelers unaware of the practices and procedures of local law enforcement agencies.
12. ATM Skimming
Criminals using devices to steal card information at ATMs. Use ATMs in secure locations and cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Skimming Devices: Criminals installing devices on ATMs to capture card information.
- Unsecure Locations: ATMs being located in unsecured or poorly lit areas, making them targets for skimming.
- PIN Exposure: Criminals observing and recording PINs when travelers enter them at ATMs.
13. Internet Café Threats
Cybercriminals installing malware on computers at internet cafés to steal personal information. Use secure devices or VPNs when accessing sensitive information.
- Malware Installation: Criminals installing malicious software on computer systems at internet cafés.
- Unsecured Devices: Internet cafés not having secure devices or antivirus software, making travelers vulnerable to cyber attacks.
- Personal Information Theft: Criminals stealing personal information such as passwords, credit card details, and email addresses.
14. Friendship Scams
Scammers posing as friendly locals to gain trust, then asking for money or personal information. Limit sharing of personal details and avoid sending money to strangers.
- Trust Building: Scammers creating a false sense of friendship with travelers to gain their trust.
- Money Requests: Scammers asking for money for various reasons, such as emergencies or helping a family member.
- Personal Information Sharing: Scammers trying to gather sensitive personal information from travelers for future use.
15. Lost Item Scams
Finders of lost items demanding extortionate amounts or selling the item instead. Keep valuable items secure and report losses to local authorities.
- Extortion Attempts: Individuals demanding excessive compensation for returning a lost item.
- Selling the Item: Finders keeping or selling the lost item instead of returning it.
- Lack of Reporting: Travelers not reporting lost items to local authorities, making recovery more difficult.