💰South AmericaUruguay

Money & ATM Scams in Montevideo, Uruguay

Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Montevideo — how they work and how to avoid them.

For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Buenos Aires, Lima, and Cusco.

Last updated: April 2, 2026

2

Money & ATM Scams Scams

10

Total in Montevideo

How it works

Taxi drivers and market vendors sometimes include fake 200 or 500 Uruguayan peso notes in change, which are refused by shops and banks.

How it works

At informal currency exchange booths and among street changers operating near Avenida 18 de Julio and the Mercado Ferrando area, visitors exchanging US dollars or Argentine pesos are shortchanged through sleight of hand or miscounted bundles. A common technique involves the exchanger counting the bills openly before handing them over, then palming several notes in the final exchange. The rate offered is typically better than official rates as an initial lure.

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10 total warnings across all categories

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