Bank Indonesia (BI) has warned the public about the risks of\nexchanging rupiah through informal, street-based mechanisms, where\nauthenticity cannot be guaranteed, amounts are difficult to verify, and\nfraud could lead to losses. In response to the growing phenomenon of\nstreet money changing services, the central bank urged people to conduct\nexchanges only via official BI and banking services, to guarantee\nauthenticity, exact amounts, and secure handling.<\/p>\n
\u201cConcerning this phenomenon, Bank Indonesia continues to strive to\nprovide better services to the public, including expanding cash exchange\nservices through mobile cash desks at various locations, including at\nsites with high demand for these services,\u201d said Ramdan Denny Prakoso,\nExecutive Director of the BI Communications Department, in writing to\nANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
BI, together with the banking sector, provides rupiah exchange\nservices to meet the availability of fit-for-circulation notes for the\npublic during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri.<\/p>\n
To meet demand during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, BI is running the\nSemarak Rupiah Ramadhan dan Berkah Idul Fitri (SERAMBI) 2026 programme,\nwhich runs from 13 February to 15 March 2026.<\/p>\n
Under the programme, BI has prepared fit-for-circulation cash\namounting to Rp185.6 trillion. Of this total, Rp177 trillion is\nallocated to meet banking needs, including cash withdrawals via ATMs and\nbank branches.<\/p>\n
This year, BI has set aside Rp8.6 trillion for currency exchange\nservices, with a denomination of Rp5.3 million per package. Exchange\nservices are available at 2,883 points, providing a total of 8,755\nservices by BI and the banking sector across Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Currency exchange services can be accessed via various channels,\nincluding mobile cash desks, general bank branches, and integrated\nexchange services at strategic locations such as places of worship and\ncommunity activity centres.<\/p>\n
Currency exchange orders can be made through the PINTAR app at\npintar.bi.go.id. Through the PINTAR app, the public can select their\nexchange schedule and location according to their needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cBank Indonesia appreciates the public\u2019s strong enthusiasm, reflected\nin the rapid uptake of exchange quotas across Indonesia via the PINTAR\nApp,\u201d Ramdan said.<\/p>\n
To date, more than one million exchange participants across Indonesia\nhave been scheduled for rupiah exchange through the PINTAR App, he\nadded. BI will continue to strengthen coordination and synergy with the\nbanking sector to ensure rupiah distribution runs smoothly, targets are\nmet, and public needs are addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides the SERAMBI 2026 points of service, bank customers can also\ncontact their nearest bank for currency exchange services in accordance\nwith each bank\u2019s policy,\u201d Ramdan added.<\/p>\n
BI emphasises ongoing public education to recognise and care for\nrupiah through CBP Rupiah (Cinta, Bangga, Paham) education, both offline\nand online.<\/p>\n
The central bank urged the public to ensure the authenticity of\nbanknotes. A simple way is to apply the 3D method (Dilihat, Diraba,\nDiterawang) or use tools such as UV lamps and magnifying glasses.<\/p>\n
Additionally, BI urged the public to consistently care for and handle\nrupiah properly to facilitate authenticity recognition, including\nadopting the \u201c5 Jangan\u201d on money: don\u2019t fold, don\u2019t doodle, don\u2019t\nstaple, don\u2019t crumple, and don\u2019t wet.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bi-warns-of-risks-of-street-money-exchange-and-urges-use-of-official-services-1772812837", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }