GACS Safe Traveller
Scam alerts & emergency checklist for Istanbul
The emergency numbers and step-by-step incident checklist below are free, right now, no account needed. A free GACS account adds scam alerts for Istanbul while you're traveling.
With a free GACS account you get:
- ✓Email alerts when new scams are reported in Istanbul while you're there
- ✓Save Istanbul to your dashboard so your checklist is one tap away
- ✓The weekly safety digest — new scam playbooks before they reach you
No credit card. No spam. One-click unsubscribe.
Emergency numbers in Istanbul
All emergencies (English)112
Police155
Ambulance112
Fire110
Tourist Police (Turizm Polisi) — Sultanahmet+90 212 527 4503
Ministry of Culture & Tourism hotline170
Most consulates are in Beyoğlu / Levent. Search 'your country consulate Istanbul' — the embassy is in Ankara.
If something happens: the first 10 minutes
- 1Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call All emergencies (English) on 112 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
- 2Freeze 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.
- 3Change 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.
- 4Contact 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.
- 5If your passport, wallet, or phone is gone, contact your embassy or consulate now — they can issue emergency travel documents, often same-day. Most consulates are in Beyoğlu / Levent. Search 'your country consulate Istanbul' — the embassy is in Ankara.
- 6Photograph the scene, receipts, fake tickets, or the scammer if it's safe — timestamped photos strengthen your police report and any chargeback claim.
- 7Tell your accommodation (hotel front desk / host) — they've usually seen the exact scam before and can vouch for you at the police station or help with a translator.
- 8Report the scam to GACS so the next traveller in Istanbul sees the warning — it takes 60 seconds and helps the whole community.
Screenshot this checklist so it's on your phone even without data.
Traveling with family or friends?
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The top 5 scams in Istanbul — with playbooks — are free and ad-free → Read the free Istanbul guide
