Scam in TürkiyeTaxis
Invented taxi extras in Türkiye
How it works
The driver adds supposed airport or luggage fees. Another warning sign is a claimed night surcharge: day and night taxi rates are the same in Ankara and Istanbul.
Warning signs
- Extra airport or luggage charges appear unexpectedly.
- The driver claims that the same journey costs more at night.
How to avoid it
- Use a licensed taxi with a running meter.
- Question unexpected extras before paying.
- Keep a record of the fare and taxi details.
If it happens to you
Ask for an explanation and a receipt showing the charges. Report an unresolved dispute with the vehicle details.
- 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.
- Redditr/istanbul2022Are all taxi drivers scammers in Istanbul?A traveller reported being told only after leaving the airport that a quoted 400-lira taxi journey required another 350 lira in tolls.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/istanbul2023In a taxi now, being told there is a 300 lira bridge and highway tax, am I being scammed?The thread discusses a demanded bridge-and-highway surcharge, including a traveller’s account of being charged for bridges their route did not require.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the invented taxi extras scam in Türkiye?
The driver adds supposed airport or luggage fees. Another warning sign is a claimed night surcharge: day and night taxi rates are the same in Ankara and Istanbul.
How can I spot it early?
Extra airport or luggage charges appear unexpectedly. The driver claims that the same journey costs more at night.
How do I avoid invented taxi extras in Türkiye?
Use a licensed taxi with a running meter. Question unexpected extras before paying. Keep a record of the fare and taxi details.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for an explanation and a receipt showing the charges. Report an unresolved dispute with the vehicle details.
Where in Türkiye does this happen?
Taxis in Ankara, and night-fare claims in Istanbul. It has been reported in Ankara, Istanbul.
How common is this scam in Türkiye?
Occasional. 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: airport transfer overcharging, taking a longer taxi route, no meter and an inflated fixed fare.
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