Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Samarinda, Indonesia

All Topics about Samarinda All Cities in Indonesia

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced taxis by negotiating the fare beforehand or using reputable companies.

Price Fixing: Some taxi drivers may overcharge unsuspecting tourists.
Non-Metered Taxis: Make sure the taxi uses a meter and don't agree to a fixed price without knowing the destination first.
Unregistered Taxis: Avoid using unofficial or unregistered taxis as they may be more likely to try scams.

Inspect currency carefully before accepting it and use trusted exchange services.

Quality of Counterfeits: Counterfeit bills in Samarinda are often poorly made and easy to spot.
Exchange Scams: Some currency exchange stores may give less money than agreed upon.
Common Counterfeit Denominations: 50,000 and 100,000 IDR notes are frequently counterfeited.

Research and book tours with reputable companies or agencies to avoid being taken advantage of.

Inadequate Knowledge: Some tour guides may not have a thorough understanding of Samarinda's attractions.
Exaggerated Claims: Tour guides may make false claims about the attractions to justify inflated prices.
Hidden Fees: Be wary of tour guides who try to add extra costs after the tour has begun.

Only eat at busy, well-established street food stalls and be cautious of food that looks undercooked or suspicious.

Contaminated Food: Foodborne illness is a risk in Samarinda, particularly from street food.
Unlicensed Vendors: Avoid eating at unlicensed vendors as they may not follow proper food safety standards.
Expired Food: Food that looks or smells off may be expired or spoiled.

Inspect the property thoroughly before signing a lease and verify the owner's identity.

Property Theft: Some landlords may rent out properties that aren't theirs, putting tenants at risk of eviction.
Poor Conditions: Properties may be in worse condition than described or shown by the landlord.
Non-Existent Listings: Some listings online may not actually exist, leaving tourists without a place to stay.

Buy sim cards from official retailers and avoid vendors near tourist areas.

Defective or Non-Functioning Sims: Some vendors may sell defective sim cards or ones that don't work.
Unauthorized Charges: Sim cards may have unauthorized charges or services activated.
Data Theft: Vendors may access your personal data through the sim card.

Only purchase gold souvenirs from reputable shops and ask for a certificate of authenticity.

Counterfeit Gold: Some vendors may sell fake gold as genuine.
Overpriced Gold: Gold souvenirs are often marked up significantly for tourists.
Unstable Gold Prices: Gold prices fluctuate frequently, so make sure the price you're being charged is fair.

Purchase souvenirs from reputable shops or markets and be cautious of vendors who offer extremely low prices.

Counterfeit Items: Some souvenirs may not be the genuine item they are claimed to be.
Low Quality Items: Souvenirs may be of poor quality or not as described.
Unauthorized Merchandise: Some souvenir vendors may be selling unauthorized merchandise, such as protected cultural artifacts.

Use ATMs inside banks or in well-lit, secure locations and be cautious of any unusual behavior around the machine.

Skimming Devices: ATMs may have skimming devices attached to read your card details.
Card Retrieval Scams: Thieves may try to distract you while your card is retrieved to steal it.
Fake ATMs: ATMs may be fake and equipped with card readers to collect your card details.

Keep personal belongings close and secure on public transportation and be aware of pickpockets.

Valuables Stolen: Pickpockets may target tourists, particularly in crowded areas.
Distraction Theft: Thieves may distract you by spilling something or pretending to help with directions.
Snatch and Grab Theft: Bags or belongings may be snatched from your grasp while walking in a crowd.

Haggle with vendors to get a fair price for souvenirs and compare prices at multiple shops.

Exorbitant Prices: Souvenirs are often marked up significantly for tourists.
Pressure to Buy: Vendors may try to pressure you into buying something quickly.
Lower Prices Elsewhere: Souvenirs can be found at lower prices in other areas of Samarinda or at local markets.

Keep valuable items secure and use a safe when available. If an item is lost, report it to the nearest police station.

Theft of Valuables: Lost or stolen items may be targeted by thieves.
Difficulty Replacing Items: Replacing lost items, such as passports or mobile phones, can be difficult and time-consuming.
Insurance Coverage: Ensure your travel insurance covers lost or stolen items before leaving home.

Use reputable money exchange services and avoid exchanging money on the street.

Counterfeit Money: Some money exchangers may give you counterfeit bills.
Unfavorable Exchange Rates: Exchange rates offered on the street may be significantly worse than at official exchange services.
Non-Delivery of Money: You may not receive the money you exchanged after completing the transaction.

Research accommodations thoroughly before booking and read reviews to avoid staying in unsafe areas or properties.

Dangerous Neighborhoods: Some neighborhoods may be unsafe due to crime or poor infrastructure.
Unsanitary Conditions: Accommodations may have unsanitary conditions, such as mold or pests.
Lack of Security: Some accommodations may lack adequate security measures, putting you at risk.

Only visit massage parlors that are licensed and reputable to avoid being taken advantage of.

Poor Quality Services: Massages may be of poor quality or not as described.
Unauthorized Charges: Additional charges may be added without your knowledge or consent.
Sexual Assault: Some unlicensed massage parlors may engage in sexual assault or exploitation.