While most taxi cab drivers are honest, hard working individuals, there are always a few who may try to pull the wool over their customers eyes. Unfortunately, running into taxi scams while traveling, especially to an unfamiliar place is fairly common. It is important to do you due diligence in researching your expected taxi routes, rules, and fares before traveling so you will be more alert if anything seems fishy. Here are our top tips for avoiding a taxi scam.
1. Research, Research, Research
As we briefly mentioned above, research is your best friend when traveling. When it comes to taking taxis, it helps to know an estimate of how much your taxi should cost as well as any surcharges that you can expect on your trip. You can use TaxiFareFinder to find your fare estimate and then print the page out or save it onto your phone so you can refer to it while traveling. If you act knowledgeable about how much the fare should cost when first entering your taxi, the chances are slim that your driver will still try to scam you.
Some other pieces of information you may want to have on hand are a map with an ideal travel route, expected surcharges, and the starting amount that should be on the meter when you first enter the taxi.
2. Take pictures
Take pictures of your taxi, driver’s name, and taxi license number. With a licensed taxi these should all be found easily on the outside of the taxi or in plain sight from the back seat of the taxi. Hopefully, you will not need this information but if you do have an issue this will make filing your complaint much simpler!
3. Bring small bills!
A common scam by taxi drivers around the world is to claim that they do not have change for you at the end of the ride. Try to avoid overpaying for your fare by carrying lots of ones and fives! If you do not have any small bills, try to find a taxi with a working credit card machine or hop in a convenience store and buy a small item such as a pack of gum in order to get change.
4. Prepare to negotiate
Many taxis around the world use meters, a per mile and per minute fare calculation, but some places still do not use meters. These locations rely on a flat rate payment method in which you will settle on a fare with your driver before you get into your cab. Here is where your pre-trip research will pay off! If you know that the fixed fare from the airport to downtown is $20, you can turn down a driver’s suggestion of a $30 fare with confidence. Do not get into the vehicle until you have agreed on a fare you are comfortable paying. A good place to do some research on local fares is either through the TaxiFareFinder Calculator or by asking some locals on the RideGuru Forum.
Another scam that is similar to above and important to note is the “broken meter” scam in which the driver pretends the meter is broken and tells you what the fare will be. The fare usually turns out to be higher than the metered fare. Do not get into a taxi with a broken meter unless you negotiate the fare ahead of time and believe it to be reasonable!
5. Save your receipt!
Make sure to always get a receipt from your driver that shows the amount you paid. If you need to file a claim you will be asked to provide your receipt.
Hopefully, your next taxi journey will go smoothly without any scam induced headaches but if you ever feel uneasy in a taxi remember you can always get out! There are plenty of taxis to choose from, it is not worth dealing with a poor driver!
