Back in April I posted the following... Based on the last few posts, it's still good info and worthy of repost... I travel to Argentina often and generally observe what I preach. I will be taking my spouse and two adult daughters to BsAs in March, then two of them head for home and my 18 year old daughter and I depart via Chile for Sydney... We plan to be solvent when we leave Argentina, God willing!

There's a scam going around in Argentina now with a very credible looking 50 Peso banknote which is completely bogus. Unscrupulous scammers attempt to pass these off to foreigners in change transactions... Here's some advice that has worked well for me and my family...

After clearing Argentine Customs and Immigration at EZE, exit into the main terminal and walk around to the right to the Banco de la Nacion Argentina... It's kind of hidden away in a corner. You can use their ATM there with your regular bank card... I only usually take out 300-400 Pesos, about USD $100 -$130. Since you'll usually get ARS (Argentine Pesos) out of the ATM in 100 Peso notes, go to one of the 2 bank counters (the bank is even open on Sundays and holidays) to change some of the notes to 10 and 20 Pesos. Ask the Teller to provide you with a "Legal Tender Convertible Pesos (Pesos Convertibles de USO Legal)" brochure, which is provided by the State Bank to tourists, which depicts color pictures of the ONLY 6 ARGENTINE BANKNOTES WHICH ARE LEGAL! These banknotes are in the following denominations: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. The brochure shows the banknote face in full color and the brochure easily folds into your billfold for discrete, easy reference. Note the posters on the bank walls which show current counterfeit bills being passed.

Also, I usually bring along about 30 - 50 single US Dollars and 10 or so US $5 bills. Along with ARS, I only carry some of these USD bill denominations each day, leaving the rest in my hotel room safe. US dollars are readily useable in BsAs and Uruguay and are excellent for taxi driver tips, etc. Most places accept USD at USD $1.00 = ARS $3.00 (Pesos). In Uruguay the dollar is = to about 25.5 Uruguayan Pesos (UYP).

Lastly, Argentina, like many other Latin American countries, is troubled by a great amount of credit card fraud... As a way to protect yourself against additional charges showing up on your accounts after you leave the country, do the following... Before you leave on your trip, contact your CC company and advise them specifically on the dates and the countries that you will be using their card in and the date that you will be leaving. Also, contact the bank/credit union which issued your ATM card and advise them as well of the dates and countries that you will be accessing ATM machines in.

"When in Rome..." You won't see many Argentines wearing much jewelry except at parties at home ... Religious medals are okay. When in touristic areas, place your wallet in your front pants pocket and keep your hand on it. Except when traveling on a day trip to Uruguay, leave your passports in the hotel safe. Make a color photocopy of your passport and keep it in your billfold in the event that you loose your wallet. Sometimes a reputable merchant will ask for your passport number to be written under your signature on a credit card charge. There is even a line for it on many charge receipts as a way that CC companies can prevent fraud. (I always write a bogus number when asked). DO NOT EVER write your Social Security number anywhere or keep your SS card in your wallet... Leave this card at home! Your SS number is important to thieves who attempt identity theft...

In my experience over the years, 99% of Argentines are great, spiritual, friendly and honest souls who value visitors... It's that 1% who see tourists as a target that we have to be wary of...