BA Basics: Counterfeit Money

Unfortunately, counterfeit money is relatively common in Argentina. The most common places to receive fake bills are taxis and night clubs or bars. It is unlikely that an ATM, hotel, restaurant or permanent vendor of any kind will pass on counterfeit bills.

The most common place to be handed a fake bill is in a taxi. This is largely because often times riders are in a rush, have difficulties communicating, or because at nighttime the dark of city streets make it difficult to inspect currency effectively. Try to avoid this situation by using a bill that is close to the total fare. Taxi drivers do not like to break big bills, so they will be happy to see payment that requires minimum change.
*LPBA Tip: When withdrawing money from an ATM, request amounts that end in 80 or 90 in order to get smaller bills (example: $290 or $380)

The bill “switcheroo” technique has also become the common scam. With this scheme, a taxi passenger will hand the driver a $50 or a $100 to pay the cab fare. The driver quickly switches the bill with a fake and hands it back to the passenger claiming it is fake (and claims it was originally the passenger’s).
*LPBA Tip: To avoid this scam bend the corners or mark all the bills you have before paying. Alternatively pay close attention, lean forward and watch the transaction. Either preventive technique should help you steer clear.

Bars and night clubs have low lighting and are full of intoxicated clientele. The unsuspecting drunk can easily be passed fake bills as change if they are not paying attention. Be aware of all transactions in this city.

Please keep in mind that everyone in Buenos Aires is not out to get you. It only takes a few bad apples to spoil the reputations of cab drivers and nightclubs/bars. Simply paying attention and using good judgment will keep you out of harm’s way in Buenos Aires.

How to spot a fake:

Look for the obvious:
-Poor printing and faded colors
-A thin or cheap feeling paper
-50’s and 100’s have a thin strip of shiny plastic (Security Thread) that is often poorly imitated
-Water mark of face is seen easily without light behind the bill

Real Deal Bills will have:
-Slightly raised ink on the actual numbers in the corners and where it states the amount ie: “Diez Pesos”
-Clean crisp printing and colors
-The green printed numbers will have a glittery shine on most bills
-Water mark of the face that is not easily seen without light behind it

Check out the next page to see examples of real and fake Argentine currency.

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