Unlicensed Street Vendor Sales
Fake Local Handicrafts
In North Macedonia, vendors in public squares or markets like the Old Bazaar in Skopje sell counterfeit traditional items such as imitation Ohrid pearls or fake Ottoman-era jewelry, claiming they are authentic and locally made. They often pressure tourists into quick purchases by demonstrating 'rare' items and quoting inflated prices in Macedonian Denar (MKD), such as 2,000 MKD for a necklace worth only 500 MKD, then bargaining down to make the deal seem genuine.
- Verify authenticity by asking for official certificates from recognized Macedonian artisan guilds before buying
- Shop only at licensed stores in areas like Skopje's Old Bazaar that display the 'Made in North Macedonia' label
- Compare prices at multiple vendors and use apps like TripAdvisor to check recent reports of overpriced fakes in popular tourist spots
ATM Skimming at Tourist ATMs
Scammers in North Macedonia install skimming devices on ATMs in high-traffic areas like bus stations or near Lake Ohrid, targeting tourists withdrawing Denars. They use hidden cameras or fake keypads to capture PINs, with devices often placed in ATMs at Komercijalna Banka branches in Skopje, leading to unauthorized withdrawals averaging 5,000-10,000 MKD.
- Inspect the ATM for any loose parts or skimmers before use, especially in less monitored areas like Ohrid's promenade
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN and use ATMs inside banks during daylight hours
- Monitor your bank statements via mobile apps and report suspicious activity to local police using the emergency number 192