Treacherous money changers

Treacherous money changers

As frequent visitors to Bali we have occasionally encountered
money changers cheating tourists out of money by exploiting their
unfamiliarity with Indonesian currency.

Our present visit to Bali, however, has given us the
impression that the whole bag has gone rotten. With every single
currency change-over -- and there have been many, and always at
different locations -- the money changer tried to shortchange us
to the extent of many tens of thousands of rupiah. This can
hardly be a coincidence and presents a serious problem for Bali.

The same trick is always used; substituting Rp 1000 notes for
the Rp 10,000 denomination to make up the final amount over Rp
100,000. The racket seems so ingrained that on two occasions
after being caught shortchanging us from A$500, the money changer
would only change A$100, apparently anxious to have more luck
with his next customer.

The experience has been very upsetting and has partly ruined
our holiday.

It is time the authorities looked into this problem, not only
for the tourists' sake, but also regarding potential damage to
the tourist trade in Bali.

BILL DE RUITER

Victoria, Australia