British tourists heading to Turkey this summer have been alerted to a "massive scam" prevalent across the country, according to travel agent Jake Cullum-Hollins. In a TikTok video, he explained that paying in Euros or British Pounds effectively means being scammed.
Shops must advertise in Turkish Lira
Cullum-Hollins stated that if a shop prices items in Euros or Pounds, it is already breaking Turkish government rules. "The Turkish government requires all shops to advertise prices in Turkish Lira," he said. When holidaymakers pay in foreign currency, shops can convert the money at the bank and make extra profit.
Change and card payments
He highlighted that the biggest scam occurs when shops give change—often in Turkish Lira—and skim more off the top. "If you go on to haggle something in British Pounds or Euros - and then you go to pay by card - this is where it gets worse," he added. Card machines can only charge in Turkish Lira, so vendors input a different amount, expecting customers not to know the exchange rate.
Cullum-Hollins advised: "To avoid paying more than you should unknowingly, always pay in Turkish Lira. Either in cash, or agree a price in Turkish Lira to pay by card."
Viewer responses
One British traveller commented they paid everything in Lira and recommended not using Pounds or Euros with a passport cash card. Cullum-Hollins replied that cash card rates are poor, suggesting banks like Starling or Monzo that don't charge overseas fees for near-perfect rates. Another person said they always paid in Euros as a personal preference, but Cullum-Hollins countered: "By paying in Euros you’re playing into their hands. The more we stop it, the more it will become the norm that Turkish Lira is the standard and the Turkish government rules get adhered to."
