Beware! Bank Indonesia Warns of Dangers of Street-Side Currency Exchange

Bank Indonesia (BI) warned against exchanging rupiah on street corners ahead of Idul Fitri 1447 H, noting that exchange outside official channels carries high risks, from counterfeit notes and miscounting to potential fraud. Executive Director of BI’s Communications Department, Ramdan Denny Prakoso, urged the public to use only official services to ensure the safety and authenticity of Rupiah.

‘Bank Indonesia continues to expand cash exchange services through mobile cash units at various locations with strong demand to provide the best service for the public,’ Ramdan said on Friday (6 March).

Through the Semarak Rupiah Ramadhan and Berkah Idul Fitri (SERAMBI) 2026 program, BI has prepared Rp185.6 trillion of fit-for-circulation money for the period 13 February to 15 March 2026. Of this, Rp177 trillion is allocated for banking needs (ATMs and branches), while Rp8.6 trillion is earmarked for direct exchange services with a maximum of Rp5.3 million per package.

The public can now order a self-booked exchange schedule to avoid long queues. To date, BI records more than one million people have booked via the application. In total, there are 8,755 service points across Indonesia, formed through BI and the banking sector’s synergy.

In addition to transaction safety, BI continues to campaign the Cinta, Bangga, Paham (CBP) Rupiah education. The public is reminded to recognise currency authenticity using the 3D method (Dilihat, Diraba, Diterawang) and to care for banknotes with the ‘5 Jangan’ principles.