Wherever we are in the world, low incomes and low living standards have taught people little survival tactics and tourists are always the easiest prey! Here are the ‘tourist scam’ tactics used all over Turkey!
Tourist scams in Turkey are the same kind you can meet in any big tourist city, and a few calm habits keep your trip relaxed. Use the taxi meter, keep an eye on your bag in crowds, use ATMs inside banks and check the bill in restaurants.
Fake Ancient Coins
Coins of ancient times, especially those with high historical and valuable value, which are rare in museums, are found and imitations are made by casting or minting. These rare coins can find serious buyers in the market. In this method, the buyer is first shown and attracted with a few original coins, and then counterfeit coins are sold to him.
Taxis
Taxi drivers inflating prices for foreign tourists is not unique to Istanbul. It is a situation encountered in many big cities around the world that taxi drivers take advantage of the language barrier to overcharge or extend the route.
Fake Tour Guide
You can come across people who pretend to be tour guides and who are extremely friendly. They will offer you free guiding services which will end up demanding money in the end or will end up with you being pushed an overpriced souvenir. Always ask for the official license of the tour guides.
Friendly Photographer
While walking around a popular spot, a scammer who approaches you will support you in taking your photo. As soon as you accept the offer and give your phone or camera, you are helping the scammer reach his goal.
Shoe Shiners
In touristic neighborhoods in Turkey, shoe shiners make it look like they’ve accidentally dropped their supplies, enticing tourists to help and offering to shine their shoes as a courtesy in return. However, after the shoes have been painted or polished, it turns out that this is not a counter gesture. The shoe shiner persistently demands money.
Bars and Nightclubs
It is a system that turns into a trap especially for male tourists traveling alone. In this method, where a beautiful-looking woman is used, the woman who approaches the man who is traveling alone invites the man to a bar or nightclub by courting. The woman, who dances with the man and consumes a lot of alcohol, leaves the scene by throwing the heavy bill on the tourist.
Phone Line Scam
Tourists, who use the lines taken on their own passports, leave the lines back to the tourism offices when they leave Turkey. These lines are not closed and provided to certain gangs for dark jobs. According to the evidence, phone scammers threaten people by presenting themselves as police and prosecutors with these lines.
Simple Habits to Avoid Tourist Scams in Turkey
A few simple habits keep you safe from most tricks, and they cost nothing. These are the ones I recommend my guests.
- Taxis: take official taxis with a meter and ask the driver to start it when you get in.
- Bags: keep your bag closed and in front of you on trams, ferries and in crowded squares.
- Money: use ATMs inside bank branches or official exchange offices, and count your lira before you leave from the counter.
- Restaurants: ask for the menu with prices and check the bill when it comes.
For a wider look at safety, read my post Is it safe to travel to Turkey? And if you plan Ephesus, my guide on how to get to Ephesus covers taxis and trains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do taxis in Turkey use a meter?
Yes, official taxis have a meter, and in Istanbul the rates are set by the city. Ask the driver to start it when you get in. For a long trip to another town, agree on the price first.
Where should I exchange money in Turkey?
Use an ATM inside a bank branch or an official exchange office, where the rates are shown on a board. Count your lira before you walk away, and keep the receipt.
How to Avoid Being Scammed in Turkey
Most of these scamming tactics are not just unique for Turkey. You should be always beware and careful while traveling around the world. The best way of avoiding these scams is to have a trusted, licensed, professional tour guide with you. Contact me to learn more about Turkey and to hire a Turkish tour guide for your Turkey tour. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.
