Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

1. Taxi Scam at Savassi

Avoid overpriced or unlicensed taxis near Savassi. Always use official taxi stands.

Unlicensed Drivers: Drivers without a badge can charge high prices or take longer routes.
Falsified Meters: Some taxis might have tampered meters, inflating the fare.
Strategic Locations: Scammers often target areas frequented by tourists.

Avoid buying counterfeit goods at Mercado Central. Look for official shops or reputable vendors.

Poor Quality: Counterfeit items often break quickly and are not worth the money.
Legal Consequences: Buying counterfeits can lead to legal trouble at customs in your home country.
Misleading Labels: Counterfeit items may not meet the safety standards of their original brands.

Be cautious with street food around Praça da Liberdade. Choose busy stalls with sanitary conditions.

Unhygienic Conditions: Poor hygiene can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Contaminated Ingredients: Ingredients may not be fresh or properly stored, increasing the risk of illness.
Unaffordable Medical Care: Falling ill while traveling can be expensive and inconvenient.

Avoid unofficial guides around Pampulha. Ask for official tourist guide credentials.

Misinformation: Fake guides may provide false or inaccurate information about attractions.
High Fees: Guides without credentials often charge higher prices.
Safety Risks: Untrained guides may lead you to dangerous or off-limits areas.

Avoid overpriced restaurants near Estação das Rosas. Explore nearby neighborhoods for cheaper eats.

Tourist Traps: Restaurants near popular attractions often charge higher prices.
Poor Quality Food: Overpriced restaurants may not serve high-quality food.
Limited Choices: Restaurants near tourist spots often have limited menu options.

Only buy bottled water from reputable vendors near Lagoa do Paqueta.

Contaminated Water: Tap water in Brazil may not be safe to drink, and unscrupulous vendors sell contaminated bottled water.
High Prices: Scammers often charge higher prices for bottled water at popular tourist spots.
Bottle Tampering: Scammers may tamper with bottles to make the water taste bad or appear cloudy.

During Carnival, be cautious of pickpockets and ticket scams. Keep personal belongings secure.

Pickpocketing: Crowded areas make it easy for thieves to take advantage.
Ticket Counterfeits: Counterfeit tickets are often sold during popular events like Carnival.
Overpriced Souvenirs: Sellers may overcharge for souvenirs during busy events.

Buy bus tickets only from the official ticket counter at Rodoviária. Avoid street vendors.

Counterfeit Tickets: Street vendors may sell fake or invalid tickets.
High Prices: Street vendors often charge higher prices for bus tickets.
Safety Risks: Unauthorized buses may not have proper safety equipment or insurance.

Use ATMs located inside banks and shopping centers to avoid skimming devices.

Skimming Devices: Criminals install card-reading devices on ATMs to steal your information.
Camera Surveillance: Cameras installed near the ATM may record your PIN.
Card Cloning: Scammers can use the stolen information to clone your card and make unauthorized transactions.

Only exchange money at official banks or authorized money changers.

Card Information Theft: Money changers may use your card information for fraudulent transactions.
Favorable Exchange Rates: Official banks and authorized money changers often offer better exchange rates.
Counterfeit Bills: Scammers may give you counterfeit bills instead of the amount due.

Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi networks at cafés. Use a VPN to protect your information.

Data Interception: Cybercriminals can intercept your data transmitted over an unsecure network.
Identity Theft: Thieves may steal your personal information to commit fraud or identity theft.
Malware Infection: Unsecured networks can infect your device with malware or viruses.

Be cautious when allowing strangers to take your photo. They may ask for money afterwards.

Unwanted Solicitation: Strangers may solicit you for photos, and then demand payment.
Distraction Theft: While taking your photo, thieves may steal your belongings.
Cultural Misunderstanding: This scam is less common in Brazil, but it's important to be aware of the possibility.

Give money cautiously to beggars in tourist areas. Some may be part of organized scams.

Organized Crime: Some beggars are part of organized crime rings and use the money for illicit activities.
Distraction Theft: While you're distracted by a beggar, thieves may steal your belongings.
Counterfeit Money: Scammers may give counterfeit money in return for donations.

Avoid using rickshaws in Savassi. They may overcharge or take longer routes.

Overpriced Rides: Rickshaw drivers often charge tourists higher prices.
Longer Routes: Drivers may take longer routes to increase the fare.
Unsafe Conditions: Rickshaws are not always safe, and drivers may not follow traffic rules.

Be cautious when donating to charity collectors in crowded spots. Verify their legitimacy.

Unauthorized Collectors: Collectors who are not authorized by a legitimate charity may keep your donation for themselves.
Distraction Theft: While you're distracted by the collector, thieves may steal your belongings.
Counterfeit Money: Scammers may use counterfeit money to make a donation.