GACS Safe Traveller
Scam alerts & emergency checklist for Rio de Janeiro
The emergency numbers and step-by-step incident checklist below are free, right now, no account needed. A free GACS account adds scam alerts for Rio de Janeiro while you're traveling.
With a free GACS account you get:
- ✓Email alerts when new scams are reported in Rio de Janeiro while you're there
- ✓Save Rio de Janeiro to your dashboard so your checklist is one tap away
- ✓The weekly safety digest — new scam playbooks before they reach you
No credit card. No spam. One-click unsubscribe.
Emergency numbers in Rio de Janeiro
Police190
Ambulance (SAMU)192
Fire193
Federal Highway Police191
DEAT tourist police197
DEAT (Tourist Police Rio)+55 21 2334 6802
Delegacia de Copacabana+55 21 2548 9998
Most embassies are in Brasília; Rio has consulates for major countries in Copacabana/Botafogo. Check itamaraty.gov.br.
If something happens: the first 10 minutes
- 1Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call Police on 190 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
- 2Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
- 3Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
- 4Contact DEAT (Tourist Police Rio) on +55 21 2334 6802 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.
- 5If your passport, wallet, or phone is gone, contact your embassy or consulate now — they can issue emergency travel documents, often same-day. Most embassies are in Brasília; Rio has consulates for major countries in Copacabana/Botafogo. Check itamaraty.gov.br.
- 6Photograph the scene, receipts, fake tickets, or the scammer if it's safe — timestamped photos strengthen your police report and any chargeback claim.
- 7Tell your accommodation (hotel front desk / host) — they've usually seen the exact scam before and can vouch for you at the police station or help with a translator.
- 8Report the scam to GACS so the next traveller in Rio de Janeiro sees the warning — it takes 60 seconds and helps the whole community.
Screenshot this checklist so it's on your phone even without data.
Traveling with family or friends?
Send them the free Rio de Janeiro guide so they know the top scams before they land.
The top 5 scams in Rio de Janeiro — with playbooks — are free and ad-free → Read the free Rio de Janeiro guide
