Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Goiânia, Brazil

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid unlicensed taxis on the street, use official taxi stands or apps to book licensed vehicles.

Unlicensed Taxis: May not have insurance or follow safety regulations
Overcharging: Some drivers may overcharge unsuspecting tourists
Theft: In some cases, unlicensed taxis have been involved in theft incidents

Be cautious when using ATMs, especially those outside banks or in isolated areas. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Skimming Devices: Criminals may install skimming devices on ATMs to steal card information
Card Trapping: ATMs with traps can grab your card and require you to pay a fee for its return
Shoulder Surfing: Criminals might watch as you enter your PIN to steal it

Inspect banknotes for irregularities such as missing security features or poor printing quality.

Missing Security Features: Authentic bills have security features like watermarks, holograms, and raised text
Poor Print Quality: Counterfeit bills often have poor quality printing or misaligned elements
Feel of the Bill: Authentic bills have a specific texture and feel that counterfeits may not replicate accurately

Bargain when shopping for souvenirs to avoid overpaying. Compare prices at multiple stores.

Markups on Souvenirs: Souvenir shops often mark up prices for tourists
Fixed Prices: Shops may have fixed prices that can be negotiated
Reputable Shops: Avoid street vendors and stick to reputable shops for quality souvenirs

Book official guides or join organized tours. Avoid unsolicited offers of guide services.

Lack of Expertise: Unofficial guides may lack the knowledge to provide accurate and interesting information
Theft: Some guides might attempt to steal from tourists or lead them into dangerous areas
Overcharging: Unofficial guides may charge exorbitant prices for their services

Give to established and reputable charities. Be cautious of street collections.

Falsified Charity Identification: Scammers may use fake charity identification or solicit money under false pretenses
Misuse of Funds: Funds raised by scammers are often not used for the intended purpose
Risk of Theft: Giving money on the street increases the risk of theft

Avoid restaurants that require an upfront payment or charge high prices for basic meals.

Upfront Payment Requirement: Requiring payment before serving food is a red flag
Hidden Charges: Some restaurants add excessive service charges or hidden fees to the bill
Low Quality Food: Restaurants that scam tourists often serve low-quality food

Book hotels through reputable booking platforms or directly with the hotel. Be wary of hotels that require large deposits.

Large Deposit Requirements: Hotels may request excessive deposits as a scam
Hidden Fees: Some hotels charge hidden fees for services or facilities not included in the room rate
Poor Quality Accommodation: Scam hotels may provide poor quality accommodation or misrepresent their facilities

Appreciate street performances but be cautious when giving money. Some performers may use distraction techniques for pickpocketing.

Distraction Techniques: Performers might use distractions to steal from tourists
Excessive Gratuities: Some performers may expect excessive gratuities
Risk of Theft: Giving money increases the risk of theft

Use a VPN when accessing public Wi-Fi networks to protect your data from hackers.

Data Theft: Hackers can intercept data sent over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks
Identity Theft: Criminals might use your personal information for fraudulent activities
Password Hacking: Hackers can gain access to your accounts if you use the same password on multiple sites

Buy SIM cards at official retailers and avoid selling your number to third parties.

Unauthorized Charges: Third parties may use your number for unauthorized calls or messages
Sim Card Tampering: Scammers might tamper with the SIM card to steal your personal data
Fraudulent Accounts: Criminals may create fraudulent accounts using your number for illegal activities

Avoid buying tickets from unofficial vendors or on unmarked buses. Stick to official transport services.

Counterfeit Tickets: Criminals may sell counterfeit tickets that don't grant access to the transportation service
Overcharging: Unofficial vendors may charge more than the official price for tickets
Theft: Unsafe buses and trains may increase the risk of theft

Be wary of overly friendly locals or strangers who offer help or friendship. They might try to scam you.

Befriending for Financial Gain: Friends made for the sole purpose of extracting money from tourists
Distraction Techniques: Distractions to steal personal belongings or pickpocketing
Theft: Friends made for the purpose of stealing valuables

Use official parking lots or park in well-lit areas. Avoid unattended parking lots or spaces with no signage.

Unauthorized Charges: Criminals may charge excessive fees for parking in unofficial lots
Vehicle Theft: Parking in unsafe areas increases the risk of vehicle theft
Vehicle Damage: Unsafe parking areas may cause damage to your vehicle

Use reputable exchange offices or banks. Compare exchange rates before making transactions.

Unfavorable Exchange Rates: Some exchange offices offer unfavorable exchange rates
Counterfeit Currency: Scammers might try to pass counterfeit currency during transactions
Hidden Fees: Some exchange offices charge hidden fees for their services