Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil

1. Fake Tour Guides

Unlicensed tour guides offering services in the city center. They may charge inflated prices or lead to scam attractions.

Recognizable Attire: Legitimate guides wear uniforms or identification badges.
Licensed Services: Ask for a guide's registration number before agreeing to services.
Avoid Street Approaches: Legitimate guides will not approach you on the street; they work through reputable tour agencies.

Taxis charging higher prices for rides within the city. Often found at the airport or bus stations.

Metered Taxis: Always use metered taxis for a fair price.
Pre-paid Taxis: Use pre-paid taxi services at the airport or bus stations.
Taxi Apps: Use local taxi apps like Easy Taxi or 99Taxis for safer and cheaper rides.

Counterfeit Brazilian reais being passed off as genuine currency. Be cautious when receiving change.

Feel the Notes: Real notes have a raised texture on one side.
Check Serial Numbers: Legitimate bills have serial numbers with different patterns.
Compare Lightly: Genuine notes show a darker color when held up to the light.

Shops charging inflated prices for souvenirs and merchandise in tourist areas.

Thieves taking advantage of crowded areas like public transportation or festivals.

Secure Wallet: Use a secure wallet with RFID blocking.
Zip Pockets: Keep valuables in zipped pockets or travel pouches.
Be Aware of Surroundings: Stay aware and keep an eye on your belongings when in crowded areas.

Skimmers installed on ATMs to steal card information. Use caution when withdrawing money.

Secure ATMs: Use well-lit, indoor ATMs at banks or shopping centers.
Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent shoulder surfers.
Monitor Accounts: Regularly monitor accounts for unauthorized transactions.

Fraudulent online listings for accommodations that do not exist or are misrepresented.

Reputable Sites: Book accommodations through reputable sites like Booking.com or Airbnb.
Contact the Owner: Contact the accommodation owner to verify the listing details before booking.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests to ensure a positive experience.

Tickets being sold for events that do not exist or are misrepresented.

Official Sources: Purchase tickets from official event websites or box offices.
Check Event Dates: Confirm the event date and time with multiple sources before purchasing tickets.
Avoid Street Vendors: Do not buy tickets from street vendors or unlicensed sellers.

Restaurants charging inflated prices for poor quality food or adding unexpected fees.

Ask for Recommendations: Get recommendations from locals or online reviews.
Check Menus Beforehand: View menus online before dining to avoid unexpected charges.
Ask for Itemized Bills: Request an itemized bill to ensure you're not being charged for unwanted items.

Scammers posing as phone company representatives asking for personal information or money.

Official Contacts: Contact your service provider through official channels, not unsolicited calls.
Verify Identification: Ask for identification from callers claiming to be from your phone company.
Ignore Unsolicited Calls: Do not share personal information or send money in response to unsolicited calls.

Internet cafes installing keyloggers or malware on computers to steal personal information.

Secure Wi-Fi: Use secure Wi-Fi connections like a VPN when using public computers.
Choose Reputable Cafes: Choose reputable internet cafes with good reviews and recommendations.
Use Cash for Payments: Pay for internet time using cash instead of credit cards.

Scammers offering to exchange Brazilian reais for gold or jewelry at inflated prices.

Avoid Street Vendors: Do not buy gold or jewelry from street vendors.
Check Prices: Compare prices with reputable jewelers before making a purchase.
Verify Authenticity: Have jewelry appraised by a professional before buying.

Scammers claiming you've won a lottery but need to pay a fee to collect your winnings.

Ignore Unsolicited Messages: Do not respond to unsolicited emails, calls, or letters about lotteries.
Legitimate Lotteries: Register for official lotteries through their websites only.
Report Scams: Report suspected scams to local authorities or the Federal Police.

Scammers posing as charity collectors asking for donations.

Verify Charities: Research charities before donating to ensure they are legitimate.
Avoid Street Collectors: Do not give money to street collectors; donate through official channels instead.
Get a Receipt: Always ask for a receipt when making donations.

Scammers offering to exchange currency at a better rate but providing counterfeit or less money.

Official Exchange Services: Use official exchange services like banks or authorized money exchanges.
Check Rates Beforehand: Compare exchange rates with multiple sources before making a transaction.
Count Your Money: Count your currency immediately after receiving it to ensure the correct amount.