Below are a few classical scams that tourists should know to avoid when traveling in Brazil.

If a tourist looks lost and is having trouble communicating, a bystander might approach with seemingly innocent intentions of help, but it is fairly common that they attempt to rob the people they are "helping." The best thing is to look assertive and walk with a purpose, and to explicitly say no to unwanted help. If you are lost, go into a nearby restaurant or hotel for help. If a theft is attempted, let the thief have what s/he wants: this is the best way to avoid more serious situations.

Around banks and sources where international money is available, there have been reports of "express kidnappings," where a victim is forced to withdraw extra money from an ATM machine that they were just seen using. The best thing to do is to only take out money from banks during daylight hours when other people are around. Criminals in Brazil only strike when there are no people around.

Be extra careful with laptops, carry-on-luggage, and briefcases for these are targeted. Pickpockets in airports are very common as well; do not have a lot of cash or any important documents in outside pockets. In airports and within the country, don't dress excessively and wear flashy jewelry. These only attract unnecessary attention.

If a taxi driver asks you to pay upfront, get out of the car: this is illegal and it indicates the cabdriver is hiking up the price considerably and not using the clocked meter. All officially licensed taxis have meters, and the price that you should pay is that which appears on the screen. Avoid unlicensed taxis, as they can be a cover-up for robbers.

Most countries in Central and South America control the export of objects from their pre-Columbian and colonial heritage. This may also include relics and/or reproductions of antiques. Some countries claim ownership of all such material and consider the export of antiques, without the permission of the government, to be an act of theft. In addition, under U.S. law, importers of all pre-Columbian monumental and architectural sculpture, murals and certain archaeological and ethnological materials are required to provide proof to the U.S. Customs Service that these artifacts are legally exported from the country of origin. Beware of purchasing artifacts unless an export permit issued by the government of origin accompanies them.

Here are two very useful articles published by the US State department. They provide some really useful travel advice and are definitely worth going over.
"A Safe Trip Aboard"
"Tips for Travelers to Central and South America"

Safety Overview

   Emergency Guide
   Airline Contacts
   Embassies in Brazil
   Common Scams

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