Istanbul Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Tourist Police (Turizm Polisi) — Sultanahmet
  +90 212 527 4503
  Yerebatan Cad. 6, Sultanahmet — English-speaking, 24/7
• Ministry of Culture & Tourism hotline
  170
  Complaints about licensed guides / tours

First 10 minutes if something happens

1. 1.Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call All emergencies (English) on 112 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
2. 2.Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
3. 3.Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
4. 4.Contact Tourist Police (Turizm Polisi) — Sultanahmet on +90 212 527 4503 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.

Full 8-step checklist at gacs.app/safe-traveller/istanbul

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. The shoeshine brush drop
   A shoeshiner 'accidentally' drops his brush; you pick it up; he insists on shining your shoes for a big tip.
   Avoid: See a shoeshiner drop a brush? Do NOT pick it up. Keep walking.
   If it happens: Pay only what you agreed. Walk away firmly.
2. 2. Friendly-local bar trap (Taksim / Istiklal)
   A friendly English-speaker invites you to 'a great local bar' — the bill arrives at $500+ with muscle at the door.
   Avoid: Do not follow any stranger to any bar in Istanbul. Ever. This scam has been running for 30 years.
   If it happens: Do not pay by card in the venue — you lose chargeback leverage. Insist on cash payment only.
3. 3. Taxi 'no change' / long-route tricks
   Driver claims no change for a 200-lira note or takes a 30-minute detour.
   Avoid: Use BiTaksi or Uber app — fixed fare, cashless.
   If it happens: Photograph the taxi ID plate (top corner of dashboard).
4. 4. Grand Bazaar 'guide' commission scam
   A friendly 'student practicing English' guides you to shops that pay him 20–40% commission on your purchases.
   Avoid: Politely refuse all 'help' at the bazaar. Wander in freely.
   If it happens: Walk away from any shop where you feel pressured.
5. 5. Bosphorus 'private boat' tour switch
   Advertised '2-hour Bosphorus cruise for €10' turns into a 20-minute loop with mandatory shopping stop.
   Avoid: Take the official Şehir Hatları Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü Pier 3 (~120 lira, 6 hours).
   If it happens: Refuse to pay extra 'entry fees' or shopping stops.