7 Safety Tips To Avoid Taxi Scams
All of us have heard about taxi scams from friends, family members, or colleagues. They are common and scary.
As the competition is increasing day by day, more taxi service providers are ready to catch the fish at any cost. Where it has benefited the prices, it has also increased the risk of scams. You never know who is reliable! But with a little bit of effort, you can avoid the scams.
If you consider scams to be a part of the outlands, you are mistaken. Your local cab drivers can also scam you which is pretty scary. Most of the scams are about charging you more fare than you have traveled.
The next time you hire a taxi service in Apple Valley CA, use the following 7 tips to avoid scams.
1. Do Your Research
This little piece of advice can save you from a great deal of stress and inconvenience. If you are visiting an unfamiliar place, you have to spend a lot of time on research. Thanks to the internet and the online resources you can easily search about the most reliable taxi services in the area. Read about the routes, fares, and rules of the area.
Even if you are hiring a taxi service in your hometown, take a few minutes to research the company’s reputation.
2. Bring Your Maps
Well, bringing your maps is a pretty effective way of staying in the loop. Gone are the days when you had to take paper maps. As of today, all you need to do is to install Google Maps on your phone and follow the routes. It is a quick and convenient way of navigation.
Let your driver know you are following the maps so that they do not act smart. If you feel anything suspicious, ask about it. Note down the taxi number and driver’s name.
3. Hoard Your Change
A lot of taxi scams can be avoided by hoarding your change. Make sure you have smaller bills so that you can pay the exact price and avoid the “I don’t have a change” scam. In some cities, finding change is not an easy feat. Check your wallet or purse for coins and bills. You can always buy a few chocolates or food items are gas stations to get some change.
4. Check The Taxi Meter
The most important tip is to check the taxi meter before you enter the vehicle. The meter should not be broken. You can also ask the driver about the meter. It is highly recommended to ride a taxi with a working meter. If you are traveling in a place where vehicles are working without fare meters, it is essential to talk about the fare before you get in.
5. Keep Your Receipt Safe
If you are traveling in a cab with a working meter, you are going to get a receipt at the end of the ride. Keep the receipt safe with you. It can be used to file claims if you find anything fishy about the bill or the ride. It is the only proof that you rode the specific taxi at a particular time.
6. Choose Licensed Service Providers
You can choose any random taxi but there is always some risk involved. It is highly recommended to choose license service providers. Once you have chosen a company with enough research, you can hire them for all future needs in that specific area.
7. When In Doubt, Get Out
If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, trust it, and get out of the vehicle as soon as possible.
