Scam · high risk · 2026
Taxi scam: Currency Switch — TL vs USD/EUR
Driver claims '200 on meter' was USD or EUR, not lira. Or POS silently switches to EUR (DCC).
How it works
After ride: 'That's 200 dollars, not lira.' On card terminal: Dynamic Currency Conversion shows EUR amount — passenger pays 5-10× actual fare.
Where it happens
Card-paying tourists, especially after late-night airport runs.
Red flags
- POS shows non-TRY currency
- Driver mentions 'dollar' or 'euro' after seeing meter
What to do — during
Confirm 'Türk lirası, değil mi?' before tapping card. Decline DCC on terminal — pay in TRY only.
What to do — after
Dispute with bank within 24h, citing forced DCC. Save receipt.
Emergency contacts
112 Emergency
Single Turkish emergency line. English available.
Tourism Police
+90 (212) 527-4503 · Sultanahmet
IBB Beyaz Masa
153 · IBB taxi complaint hotline
Full police contacts
FAQ
Source: inspiredtoexplore.com; istanbultouristpass.com