Money & ATM Scams in Panama City, Panama
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Panama City — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Willemstad, Havana, and Montego Bay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Money & ATM Scams Scams
10
Total in Panama City
How it works
Standalone ATMs near tourist hotels and the Albrook Mall area have been targeted with skimming overlays, particularly near large tourist events.
How it works
Unofficial currency changers on the street offer better rates than banks to exchange Colombian pesos or other regional currencies to USD, but shortchange significantly or use sleight of hand in the count.
How it works
Panama uses both US dollars and the Panamanian balboa interchangeably at 1:1. Some vendors shortchange tourists by claiming small denomination coins are lower value or by not returning correct change.
See all scams in Panama City
10 total warnings across all categories