DENPASAR (indo.com): The money changers association in Bali will revoke operation permits of any members found playing dirty tricks. These adversely affect travellers as well as tarnish the image of the island as a carefree tourism destination, a local tourism official has said here.

"A money changer who is found playing dirty tricks should be reported to the local authority (a village head) who will give a reprimand. But if the violation continues, the money changers association will revoke its operation permit," Bali Tourism Agency Public Relation Officer Putu Oka said, adding that the concerned money changer would also be required to pay a fine.

Putu Oka made the statements in response to news on the growing complaints aired by foreign travellers who had bad experiences related to money changers.

Several foreign travellers have reportedly complained about the thriving fiddling of money played by money changers in Bali. They told indo.com that changing money was a nightmare because they would usually end up being cheated, with the amount of cash in rupiah terms different from that agreed in the transaction.

The fiddling occurs when tourists change their dollars to the rupiah and are asked to recount the cash for the second time, during which the assistant tries to distract them by chatting or joking around.

The money changer then counts the money for the third time and moves it towards the edge of the table, discretely dropping notes onto the floor behind the desk, unnoticed by the customer.

Reluctant to check the money again, customers usually don't realise they have been cheated until much later.

This problem is widespread among the numerous 'backstreet' moneychangers, or those offering suspiciously good rates such as "No commission!". The answer - only use larger, reputable moneychangers or better still, banks.