​Money Exchange :

you can exchange money in your country for main currencies or get cash at destination in an ATM or an exchange office (in that case, ask if fees are incuded in the displayed rates).

In all cases, keep the receipt because you will need it in some countries if you want to exchange your extra money at the airport before departure.

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Fake money and frauds :

Fake money exists in most countries, and probably in yours - so don't be afraid but stay vigilant.

But as a tourist, you are more at risk in 2 situations :

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- when you give a banknote for a purchase (shop, taxi..) and when you receive your change you might get fake money

 

- when you pay, always attract the attention of the merchant with the value of each banknote you give and keep an eye on them until the transaction is finished. Sometimes a 50$ is exchanged very quickly with a 10$ banknote if you don't pay attention. And the merchant will request more money. We get often that case

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- more tricky : you pay with a true banknote which is substituted by a false banknote by the merchant which refuse the banknote arguing it's false !  Then you will keep that false banknote, and you will probably pay your purchase with another banknote. Always keep an eye on your banknotes to avoid a fraudulous exchange.

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Solutions :

- At your arrival, examine attentively all kinds of banknotes of the country : color, marks, texture etcetera  and check your change attentively

- when you give a banknote to a merchant, keep your eyes on its hands to avoid any substitution

- don't travel with big banknotes and get your money from ATM

- when possible for big amounts, pay with your credit card but read attentively our credit card chapter.