Cab fare scam, Istanbul

While in Istanbul, Turkey, Sept. 16-24, 2015, my wife and I were scammed by a taxi driver. He had palmed a 20-lira bill, and when we paid with a 100-lira note, he flashed the 20, claiming that that is what we had given him, and demanded more for the fare.

A second driver tried to use the same scam on us but didn’t succeed.

It is recommended that the denomination be announced when paying a cab fare: “Here is a 100-lira bill.”

Outside of that, we found the locals to be warm and friendly.

I should also mention that driving in Istanbul reminded me of the chariot race scene in “Ben Hur.”

GEORGE FINCKENOR

Mount Arlington, NJ