Tourist Safety Guide

Currency Exchange

Unclear exchange rates, hidden commission, incorrect counting and misleading currency conversion.

30-second decision

Moderate attention

Count the money and verify the final exchange rate before leaving the counter.

Do this now

1Ask for the exact amount you will receive before handing over cash
2Count the banknotes in view of the counter or camera
3Do not accept damaged, obsolete or unfamiliar banknotes

Before paying or agreeing

✓Compare the displayed buy and sell rates
✓Ask whether commission or service fees apply
✓Use a clearly licensed and established exchange office
✓Request a printed receipt showing the rate and amount

Türkiye-specific currency exchange check

Normal exchange or a warning sign?

Reviewed 22 September 2026

Usually normal

A normal exchange office

The business operates as an authorized exchange office, bank or permitted institution. Buy and sell rates are displayed and a transaction document can be issued.

Warning sign

A person on the street, in a shop or through messaging offers a better rate but avoids identification, signage, a receipt or an authorized business location.

Usually normal

A normal rate difference

The buying and selling rates are different. The applicable rate depends on which currency the customer gives and which currency they receive.

Warning sign

A prominent rate is advertised but a different rate, unexplained commission or unexpected deduction appears only after the cash is handed over.

Usually normal

A normal cash count

The amount, currency and banknotes are counted visibly. The customer can recount the money at the counter before leaving.

Warning sign

Cash is counted out of view, repeatedly moved between employees, bundled too quickly or pushed toward the customer while they are being distracted.

Usually normal

A normal counterfeit check

Banknotes may be checked with a counting machine, ultraviolet light or other authentication equipment while remaining visible.

Warning sign

A genuine note is taken out of view and allegedly replaced with a counterfeit note, or the customer is pressured to accept damaged or questionable banknotes.

Check before handing over your cash

Five checks that protect your exchange and cash

Is this an authorized exchange office, bank or permitted institution?

Türkiye's 2026 official guidance states that foreign-exchange trading is carried out through banks, PTT and exchange offices licensed by the Ministry.

EN: Are you an authorized exchange office, and can you issue a transaction receipt?

TR: Yetkili döviz bürosu musunuz ve işlem belgesi verebilir misiniz?

Which displayed rate applies to this exact transaction?

If you give foreign currency and receive Turkish lira, the office is buying your foreign currency. Confirm the applicable rate and net amount first.

EN: What exact rate applies, and how many Turkish lira will I receive in total?

TR: Hangi kur uygulanacak ve toplam kaç Türk lirası alacağım?

Is there any commission or separate fee?

Do not calculate only from the largest number on the board. Ask for the final amount after every commission or deduction before handing over cash.

EN: Is this the final amount after all commissions and fees?

TR: Bu, tüm komisyon ve ücretlerden sonraki net tutar mı?

Did you recount the money at the counter?

Count each banknote before leaving and compare the total with the receipt. Resolving a shortage becomes harder after leaving the counter.

EN: Please wait while I count the money and compare it with the receipt.

TR: Parayı sayıp işlem belgesiyle karşılaştırırken lütfen bekleyin.

Are the returned banknotes genuine and undamaged?

Do not accept torn, heavily marked or suspicious notes. Keep the original notes visible during any authenticity dispute.

EN: Please replace this damaged or questionable banknote before I leave.

TR: Lütfen ayrılmadan önce bu hasarlı veya şüpheli banknotu değiştirin.

Decision ladder

Compare, stop, recount or call for help?

COMPARE

The board shows several different rates

Ask which rate applies to your direction of exchange and request the exact net amount before presenting cash.

STOP

The rate or commission changes after cash is handed over

Do not approve the transaction. Calmly request the original money back before any further counting or exchange.

RECOUNT

The cash total or banknotes appear wrong

Remain at the counter, recount visibly, compare with the receipt and ask staff to review the transaction immediately.

LEAVE / CALL 112

Threat, deliberate note substitution or prevention from leaving

Prioritize safety, move to a public area and call 112 when a suspected crime or immediate threat is involved.

Exact evidence

What to save for a useful exchange complaint

✓Photograph the displayed buy and sell rates before the transaction
✓Keep the transaction receipt showing currency, rate, amount, date and time
✓Record the business name, exact address and authorization information
✓Keep bank withdrawal records showing the origin and amount of your cash
✓Photograph damaged or disputed notes without losing sight of the originals
✓Write down the amount handed over and the amount actually received
✓Preserve messages from anyone offering an unofficial or private exchange
✓Do not confront suspected counterfeiters or attempt to recover evidence by force

Documented case files

What has actually happened before

Police operations, complaint statistics, enforcement actions and judicial investigations are labelled separately. An allegation, detention or arrest is not the same as a final conviction.

Case 12024Counterfeit-currency operation

Police reported seizing approximately 1.5 million counterfeit US dollars

Istanbul

•Anadolu Agency reported two operations concerning counterfeit currency in Istanbul.
•Authorities stated that approximately 1.5 million counterfeit US dollars were seized.
•Three suspects were reportedly taken into custody.
•Two suspects were reported arrested following judicial proceedings.
•The operation concerned alleged production or distribution and was not evidence that authorized exchange offices generally distribute counterfeit money.

Pattern

Counterfeit foreign currency prepared or held for circulation

Practical lesson

Use authorized institutions and inspect unfamiliar banknotes before leaving. Do not accept street exchange offers based only on a better rate.

Read source: Anadolu Agency — 28 May 2024 →

Case 22024Official investigation

Investigation opened into claims that counterfeit 50- and 100-dollar notes entered circulation

Grand Bazaar area, Istanbul

•The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office opened an ex officio investigation into counterfeit-currency allegations.
•Reports alleged that counterfeit 50- and 100-US-dollar notes printed abroad had entered circulation.
•Some exchange offices in the Grand Bazaar were reported to have temporarily stopped accepting certain dollar notes.
•The investigation concerned allegations and should not be presented as a final judicial finding.

Pattern

Concern over high-quality counterfeit notes → businesses restrict acceptance → official investigation opened

Practical lesson

A refusal to accept a denomination may reflect a current counterfeit alert rather than an attempt to target the traveler. Ask for an explanation and use another authorized institution.

Read source: Anadolu Agency — 28 November 2024 →

Case 32025Counterfeit-currency operation

Millions in counterfeit dollars and euros reportedly seized

Istanbul-centered operation across four provinces

•DHA reported an operation concerning counterfeit foreign currency allegedly prepared for circulation.
•Twenty-five suspects were reportedly detained.
•Searches reportedly found 1,353,600 US dollars and 2,150,130 euros in counterfeit banknotes.
•Money-counting machines, mobile phones and other material were also reported seized.
•Ten suspects were reported arrested; arrest is not the same as a final conviction.

Pattern

Large quantities of counterfeit foreign banknotes prepared for distribution

Practical lesson

Do not exchange cash through an informal intermediary. A professional-looking counting machine alone does not prove that notes or a seller are legitimate.

Read source: DHA — 28 February 2025 →

Case 42025Counterfeit-currency operation

Approximately 4.5 billion lira in counterfeit foreign currency reportedly seized

Istanbul

•TRT Haber reported a gendarmerie operation concerning counterfeit foreign currency.
•The reported face value was approximately 4.5 billion Turkish lira.
•Five foreign-national suspects were reportedly caught.
•Authorities stated that counterfeit currency and production materials were seized.
•A criminal investigation was opened into alleged counterfeiting and organized criminal activity.

Pattern

Counterfeit currency production equipment → large quantity prepared for circulation

Practical lesson

High-quality counterfeit notes can circulate beyond street transactions. Preserve the receipt and use the same authorized counter if a received note is disputed.

Read source: TRT Haber — 2025 →

Case 52026Police operation

Counterfeit 50-dollar notes allegedly deposited through ATMs

Istanbul-centered operation across six provinces

•DHA reported an investigation into counterfeit 50-US-dollar notes inserted into bank ATMs.
•Authorities alleged that the foreign currency was later withdrawn as Turkish lira through other ATMs.
•The reported loss was 102,750 US dollars.
•Nine suspects were reportedly taken into custody.
•The report described allegations and an investigation, not final convictions.

Pattern

Counterfeit notes deposited into banking system → value withdrawn elsewhere in Turkish lira

Practical lesson

ATM acceptance does not by itself prove a note's authenticity. For cash exchange, keep the receipt and use authorized counters with traceable transactions.

Read source: DHA — 2026 →