£600 for cheese? The Brazilian beach scams that cost visitors dear
Summary
Tourists in Rio de Janeiro have been tricked by beach vendors using card payment scams that add extra zeros to prices, charging hundreds of pounds instead of a few. Victims often struggle to get their money back because these transactions are considered authorized payments, making refunds difficult without proof like a receipt.Key Facts
- A visitor was charged £590 instead of £5.90 for two slices of barbecued cheese after the vendor secretly added zeros to the card reader.
- Similar scams have charged tourists £1,500 for a kebab and £3,000 for corn on the cob.
- Scammers manipulate the card payment terminal after showing the correct amount to the customer.
- UK consumer protection typically allows refunds for bank transfer scams, but not for face-to-face transaction scams without evidence.
- One victim’s bank first said the payment could be reversed, but later said authorized payments cannot be undone.
- The victim’s attempt to use a chargeback failed due to lack of a receipt.
- The bank refunded the victim as a goodwill gesture after media attention.
- Authorities advise tourists to pay vendors in cash or handle their own card payments to avoid scams.
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