A R$20 corn on the cob charged R$20,000: the card-machine scam is real. The most common scams in Rio, how to spot them and what to do. Quiz included.
Most problems tourists run into in Rio aren't muggings, they're scams: overcharging, short-changing or "favors" that end up costly. The good news: nearly all follow the same script, and once you know it, it stops working.
Real card-machine scam cases
R$20,000
for a R$20 corn on the cob
R$7,000
for two açaí bowls
R$2,500
for one caipirinha
Number one
The card-machine (maquininha) scam
It mostly happens on the beach, at beachfront kiosks and with street vendors. Variations:
- Extra zeros: they key in R$2,000 instead of R$20 and hand you the machine quickly, screen tilted away or in blinding sun.
- "It didn't go through, try again": they charge you two or three times.
- Card swap: they hand back a lookalike card after watching you enter your PIN.
- Wrong mode: they switch to a different payment option to overcharge.
How to pay safely on the beach
Ask the price first
"Quanto custa?". If there's no price shown, agree on it before ordering.
Look at the screen, read the amount
Take your time. If you can't see, shade it with your hand.
Tap it yourself
Use contactless or your phone so you never let go of the card or show your PIN.
Or pay by Pix, scanning the QR yourself
Check the amount and payee name before confirming.
Turn on notifications
You'll see the charge instantly and can dispute it on the spot.
Other scams
Scam → how to avoid it
Tap each card to see how to protect yourself.
↻ Tap to flip
Test yourself
Would you spot the scam?
You order a caipirinha and the vendor hands you the card machine screen-down. What do you do?
Before heading out
Anti-scam checklist
Frequently asked questions
A vendor keys a much bigger amount into the card machine (say R$2,000 instead of R$20) or charges you several times. Avoid it by always reading the screen.
Tours with no fine print
1 Full Day in Rio
Full day complete tour of Rio's main tourist attractions: Sugarloaf Mountain, Historic Center, Selarón, São Bento and Christ the Redeemer.
Christ the Redeemer Tour
Ascend to Christ the Redeemer on the historic Corcovado Train and enjoy the most breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro.
Fixed-price tours, no card machines
Pay online by card or Pix before the tour. English-speaking guide and pickup included: no surprise charges.
Recommended tours for this guide
Book online with a local guide, a fixed price and payment by international card or Pix.
1 Full Day in Rio
Full day complete tour of Rio's main tourist attractions: Sugarloaf Mountain, Historic Center, Selarón, São Bento and Christ the Redeemer.
Christ the Redeemer Tour
Ascend to Christ the Redeemer on the historic Corcovado Train and enjoy the most breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro.
