Scam in TürkiyeCards and ATMs
Charging a card in the wrong currency in Türkiye
How it works
The seller quotes a price in Turkish lira but enters the same number in euros or US dollars. Paying by card does not protect you from this trick.
Warning signs
- The terminal shows a different currency from the agreed price.
- The seller asks you to approve payment without showing the screen.
How to avoid it
- Confirm the price and currency before paying.
- Check both the amount and currency on the terminal.
- Keep your receipt and check the payment notification.
If it happens to you
Ask for an immediate correction or refund. Keep the receipt and contact your card issuer if the merchant refuses.
- Get somewhere safe. Avoid chasing thieves or escalating a dispute. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or need urgent help.
- Check what is missing or wrongly charged. Block stolen cards and secure accounts on a missing phone immediately.
- Save evidence. Keep receipts, booking records, messages and payment alerts. Note the time, place and vehicle plate if relevant.
- If safe, ask the business to correct the bill or refund the disputed amount. Explain the agreed price and currency clearly.
- Report theft or suspected fraud to police. Ask for a report or reference number for your bank or insurer.
- Contact your card issuer, insurer or booking service as needed. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- TripadvisorIstanbul ForumCurrency exchange scam at Istanbul airport duty free shops - Istanbul Forum - TripadvisorA shopper reported euro-priced duty-free goods being charged to their card in lira without a currency choice and with an unfavorable conversion markup.Read on Tripadvisor
- TripadvisorTripadvisor traveller reviews2023ISTANBUL DUTY FREE - All You SHOULD Know Before You Go (w/ 2026 Reviews)A reviewer reported a €460 wallet purchase being converted into lira at a rate approximately 12 percent worse than the prevailing rate.Read on Tripadvisor
Questions
What is the charging a card in the wrong currency scam in Türkiye?
The seller quotes a price in Turkish lira but enters the same number in euros or US dollars. Paying by card does not protect you from this trick.
How can I spot it early?
The terminal shows a different currency from the agreed price. The seller asks you to approve payment without showing the screen.
How do I avoid charging a card in the wrong currency in Türkiye?
Confirm the price and currency before paying. Check both the amount and currency on the terminal. Keep your receipt and check the payment notification.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for an immediate correction or refund. Keep the receipt and contact your card issuer if the merchant refuses.
Where in Türkiye does this happen?
Vendors whose card terminals accept Turkish lira, euros and US dollars.
How much can it cost me?
An example is charging 100 EUR instead of an agreed 100 TL.
How common is this scam in Türkiye?
Common. Tourist overcharging is very common in Turkey, especially when prices are not shown. Other risks include taxi tricks, wrong change, costly cash withdrawals, pushy shop invitations and fake nightlife offers. Watch your belongings in crowds and on public transport, especially in Istanbul.
Are there similar scams in Türkiye?
Yes: aTM currency conversion at a poor rate.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police or medical help. The call is free and can be made from a phone without a SIM card. Police: approach an officer or visit the nearest police station. Bring receipts, payment records and any taxi plate or hub details. If the unified emergency number does not work, the listed police fallback is 155. Gendarme: for urgent help in rural areas, call 112. The listed fallback number is 156 if the unified number does not work. Ankara tourist police section: a multilingual tourist police section is listed at AŞTİ bus station, but staffing is uncertain because staff were redeployed. If unavailable, approach another officer or police station. Card issuer or bank: use your bank's official app or verified contact number to block stolen cards and dispute unauthorised or wrongly entered payments. Taxi hub: use the hub name and phone number written on the side of the taxi. Provide the plate, journey details and disputed fare. Embassy or consulate: use your country's official government contact details if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents. Travel insurer or booking service: use its official claims or support channel. Provide your police reference, receipts, booking terms and payment evidence.
What number do I call in an emergency in Türkiye?
All emergency services, including police and gendarme: 112, Police fallback if the unified number does not work: 155, Gendarme fallback if the unified number does not work: 156.
Reviewed by @snuck