Payment security: how it works in Brazil — first-hand

From real experience

• Russian UnionPay cards are largely ineffective in Brazil. While some ATMs (specifically red '24 horas' machines) may accept them, success is rare. Travelers are advised to obtain foreign-issued cards (e.g., from Kazakhstan, Belarus, or Kyrgyzstan). Online services or bank-partnered schemes for remote card issuance exist, but reliability varies. Using plastic cards in Brazil carries a high risk of skimming; virtual cards or mobile payments are safer alternatives. Avoid keeping large sums on these accounts.
• Users are reporting scams involving payment fraud in Brazil, particularly in tourist areas like Copacabana. Scammers, often posing as vendors or drivers, attempt to charge significantly higher amounts than agreed upon. One incident involved a beach vendor trying to charge 3000 BRL instead of 5 BRL, only failing due to a card limit. Another involved an Uber driver entering a much larger sum (e.g., 200 BRL instead of 10-20 BRL). Users are advised to always verify the amount entered on the payment terminal before confirming, especially when using contactless payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or when dealing with less formal transactions.
• When traveling to Brazil, dollars are generally preferred over euros for exchange. Cards are widely accepted, even by street vendors, but cash might be needed for minor expenses (e.g., public toilets). For card payments, always say 'crédito'. Be aware of card skimming; using digital payment methods like Google Pay or Apple Pay is safer than physical cards. Some non-Brazilian cards (e.g., Kazakhstan's Freedom Card) may not work in all terminals (e.g., ~30% of 'orange' terminals) or require insertion instead of tap. Certain banks (e.g., Halyk) might require prior notification of travel to Brazil for card functionality. Avoid exchanging currency at airports due to unfavorable rates. When bringing USD cash, ensure bills are of the new design; old-style dollar bills may be rejected or exchanged at a significantly worse rate (e.g., a difference of up to 1.5 BRL per USD compared to new bills).
• Beware of P2P scams in travel chat groups. Users requesting small payments (e.g., PIX transfers) in exchange for bank transfers are highly likely to be fraudulent. Never provide personal data or funds to individuals contacting you privately.

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