ATM skimming — cloned card + drained account
Standalone ATM in a small shop, or ATM in poorly-lit tourist area.
Card skimmer + hidden camera captures PIN. Card gets cloned, account drained within hours. Kuta + Legian have documented skimmer clusters.
- ✓ONLY use ATMs inside bank branches (BCA, Mandiri, BNI) — never standalone ATMs.
- ✓Cover PIN with hand physically.
- ✓Enable transaction notifications on your bank app.
- ✓Use tap-to-pay (Apple Pay / Google Pay) where possible — no skimming risk.
- →Call bank immediately + block card.
- →File police report — need it for bank fraud claim.
- →File report at Bali Tourist Police: +62 361 754 599.
Motorbike rental damage claim (Kuta/Legian variant)
Cheap rental (~USD 5/day) with passport-deposit requirement.
Same as Vietnam pattern. Kuta area has documented rings running this scam across multiple rental shops.
- ✓Never leave passport — cash deposit or via rental app.
- ✓Photo/video the bike, timestamped, sent to your email.
- ✓Book via GoRentz or Rentalcars.com for protected rentals.
- →Do not pay. Call Bali Tourist Police: +62 361 754 599.
- →Contact your consulate.
- →Post shop name on Bali Backpackers Facebook + Google.
Fake police "traffic violation" shakedown
Motorbike stopped by "police" (sometimes real corrupt police) claiming you violated a rule (no international license, went wrong way, missed stop).
They ask for a "fine" of USD 20-100 payable in cash to end the situation. Even real Bali traffic police sometimes shake down foreigners.
- ✓ALWAYS carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your national license. Bali requires it for motorbike/car rentals.
- ✓Wear a helmet, follow traffic rules.
- ✓If stopped without valid reason: ask for their name, badge, and location of the police station — usually enough to end it.
- →Insist on going to the police station to pay fine officially (not roadside cash).
- →If they refuse, they were fake. Note plate + report to Tourist Police: +62 361 754 599.
Bali (Denpasar) emergency contacts
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