Money & ATM Scams in Porto

Currency Exchange Commission Trap

Exchange bureaus clustered near Praça da Batalha and along Rua de Santa Catarina advertise zero-commission rates on outdoor signage but apply hidden fees at the point of transaction, sometimes disclosed only in fine print on a receipt after the exchange is complete. A common tactic involves showing a favorable rate on a display board, then processing at a significantly worse rate once the customer hands over cash. Tourists who don't ask to see the final amount before confirming lose 10–20% of the exchange value.