If you are getting into a random taxi in a foreign country, especially after you have just arrived on a long-haul flight, you have entered a game in which the rules are not always outlined for you. By being aware, verifying the amount you are paying for your ride, and using designated airport pickup areas, you can save your money and your state of mind. Alright, now that we’ve told you how the story ends, let’s go back in time and take a walk through the fray.
A Global Tour of Complaints
Before we get into scams, the travel insurance company AllClear went on the social media platform Reddit and reviewed over 450 complaints from discontented travelers and 30,000 comments left behind by those who lamented their experiences while traveling.
The purpose of this exercise was to determine the countries with the largest number of horror experiences relating to taxis.
The results? Wow!
- Turkey took the prize with 4,224 complaints!
- India came in second with 2,301 complaints.
- Following close behind were Thailand (2,169), Vietnam (1,741), Egypt (1,715), Australia (1,598), Mexico (1,397), Morocco (1,329), the United States (1,283), and Canada (995).
This not-so-exciting list represents where the majority of complains regarding taxi scams have been made.
So, where do the majority of these complaints originate? From the airport. Nearly one third of the complaints made on Reddit included “airport” in the complaint title. Jet lag, baggage, and foreign currency all create the ideal environment for con artists.
Taxi Scams: The Not-Hocus-Pocus Tricks
The scams are quite similar, just like magic tricks. Here are five common practices that travelers should be aware of:
- The Oops! The Meter Is Broken: This one has been around for a long time and still exists across the globe. You will get into a taxi, and the driver will not turn on the meter and instead tell you that he/she will charge you a “special” price that is usually significantly higher than what you would pay locally.
- A good idea: Make sure you agree on a price before getting in, and if necessary, insist courteously that the driver utilize the meter. You can also look up a typical fare online to see how much it costs.
- The Suitcase Hostage Tactic: Some taxi drivers take your suitcase and throw it in the trunk of the car before you tell them where you want to go.
- Don’t give in; just keep a hold of your bags until you determine what the fare will be.
- The Broken Card Reader: This scam is seen around every corner. The taxi driver tells you that the card reader isn’t working so that you will pay him/her cash instead. Paying with cash is much easier for the driver to raise the price and makes disputing the transaction much more difficult.
- A legitimate taxi driver will let you go to an ATM if needed and will still provide you with a receipt.
The Unasked-for Scenic Route
When your ride goes on what feels like forever, there is a good possibility that you are on the costly tour route.
In the event of experiencing an unnecessarily long ride, remain calm and check your GPS application. Politely ask, “Is this the quickest way?”
It is possible that the driver is unaware that it is, indeed, the longest route or they could be trying to come up with a creative answer.
The Airport Trap: The “Un-Offical” Taxi Driver
Travelers are easy prey for drivers who operate illegitimate taxi services at busy airports. The driver often approaches the traveler and offers a ride. The price that the driver will charge is typically exorbitant.
If you are using a taxi for transportation, it is imperative to use the official taxi line, the rideshare pick-up area, or airport staff direction for your planned ride.
AllClear communications director stated, “Taxis are convenient transport options, and sometimes travelers tend to let down their guard when using a taxi.”
Travelers can be targeted for scams anywhere and at any time, and the best way to avoid getting ripped off by a taxi is to have knowledge of the official fare rate.
In the event you experience a scam, immediately report it to the proper authorities.
Travel should be all about the excitement of visiting new places, seeing beautiful sunsets, eating the best food that you have ever had, and confirming that you have made a great decision to fit your preferences. However, if you get scammed when taking a taxi, then it can ruin your trip which otherwise would be perfect.
Be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts, and have all of your future taxi rides filled with working meters and proper credit/debit card processing equipment.
