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TRAVEL SCAM
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Broken Card Machine Payment Scam
Scammers use damaged card machines to hide the real transaction amount and overcharge tourists.
High Risk
COMMON LOCATIONS
Copacabana, Ipanema, Lapa, Carnival street events
HOW IT HAPPENS
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
1. Tourist buys item from vendor during Carnival
2. Vendor presents broken or unreadable card machine
3. States a lower amount verbally
4. Tourist enters PIN and is charged a much higher amount
WATCH FOR THIS
WARNING SIGNS
• Cracked or unreadable payment screen
• Vendor telling price verbally only
• Asking to retry payment multiple times
• Suspicious or unfamiliar payment device
STAY SMART
HOW TO AVOID IT
• Never use card machines with unclear display
• Always verify amount before entering PIN
• Avoid card payments with street vendors
• Use trusted payment methods or apps
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