If you’ve ever visited a major city or you plan on doing so in the near future, the best way to get around is definitely by a taxi cab.  One thing you need to look out for is how you can avoid being scammed by the driver.  Let’s face it, there are scams everywhere and if you know how to protect yourself from being scammed, you’ll be better off.

Make sure they are licensed – Before you even get into a cab, make sure that the cab is licensed by the state or country you’re in.  If you’re unsure they are, ask to see paperwork and this paperwork should have a number of some sort you can call to confirm.  If the situation seems fishy, then it probably is and your best bet is to simply find another cab.

Know your area – Just because you’re on a trip, doesn’t mean you can’t know your area.  Make sure you get a map or some sort and know what roads you should be taking.  Sometimes taxi drivers like to take a longer way, which means you’re going to pay more money.  If you can pay attention to what route they’re taking, make sure they are taking the shortest route possible.

Ask ahead of time – All taxi drivers should know the metro area.  So, make sure you ask how much you bill will be before you even drive.  If you’re going to a nearby hotel, etc, ask the driver and let him/her know exactly where it’s located so that it avoids confusion.

Try and pay with cash – Most taxi companies will accept credit cards but sometimes you may find that you’ll get charged with an unwanted fee on your credit card.  To avoid this, try and pay with cash.  This way, if something does happen with your credit card, you won’t have to waste your time calling the credit card company and sorting things out.

Get a receipt – If you do pay with a credit card, make sure you get a receipt to mark your transaction if something does happen.  If you pay with cash, you don’t necessarily need a receipt but it can help if anything pops up when you leave the cab.

Most big cities do a good job on busting the taxi scammers in the area but it doesn’t mean that they won’t catch all of them.  If you can follow these simple steps, your chances of getting a taxi that’s a scammer are pretty slim.  Just use your head and judgement and your taxi ride will be just fine.