beaches

Arugam Bay scooter rental passport scam.

Asked 7 months agoSeen by 409 travellers

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Sebastian S.•570 rep•1

A shop is demanding to keep my actual passport to rent a scooter. Is this normal.

beaches transportation safety

asked 7 months ago

Sebastian S.•570 rep•1

3 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted answer

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This is a massive red flag. You should never under any circumstances hand over your physical passport to a local rental shop. It is the most crucial document you own and leaving it gives them immense leverage to extort money from you later for fake damages.

answered 7 months ago

Nuwan D.•16070 rep•1

Highly reputable rental agencies will only ever ask to take a clear photocopy or photograph of your passport and your International Driving Permit along with a reasonable cash security deposit.

answered 7 months ago

Amali K.•14800 rep•1

If a vendor aggressively insists on keeping the physical book simply walk away. There are dozens of other friendly trustworthy shops along the main strip in Arugam Bay who operate legally and fairly.