Bank Indonesia Warns of Risks of Street Currency Exchange
Bank Indonesia (BI) has reminded the public that exchanging rupiah through non-official market mechanisms carries risks. These risks include the authenticity of notes not being guaranteed, difficulties in confirming the exact amount, and potential fraud that could cause losses.
Responding to the growing phenomenon of street currency exchange services, the central bank asked the public to exchange money through BI and banking channels to ensure authenticity, correct denominations, and security.
“Bank Indonesia continues to strive to provide better services to the public, including expanding cash exchange services through mobile cash vans at various locations, including places with high demand for the service,” said Ramdan Denny Prakoso, Executive Director of BI’s Communications Department, as quoted by Antara on Saturday, 7 March 2026.
BI, together with banks, provides rupiah exchange services to meet the availability of fit-for-circulation cash for the public during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH. BI launched the Semarak Rupiah Ramadhan and Berkah Idul Fitri (SERAMBI) 2026 programme running from 13 February to 15 March 2026.
Through the programme, BI has prepared cash in fit-for-circulation condition amounting to Rp 185.6 trillion, of which Rp 177 trillion is to meet the needs of banks, including cash withdrawals via ATMs and bank branches.
In 2026, BI has set aside Rp 8.6 trillion for currency exchange services with denominations of Rp 5.3 million per bundle. Exchange services are available at 2,883 points, with a total of 8,755 services by BI and banks nationwide.
Currency exchange services can be accessed through various channels, including mobile cash vans, general bank offices, and integrated exchange services at strategic locations such as houses of worship and community activity hubs.
Exchange bookings can be made via the PINTAR application at pintar.bi.go.id. Through PINTAR, the public can choose the schedule and location for exchange according to their needs. “Bank Indonesia appreciates the strong public interest reflected in the rapid uptake of exchange quotas across Indonesia via the PINTAR App,” Ramdan said.
To date, more than one million exchange customers across Indonesia have received currency exchange schedules through the PINTAR App,