Many people enjoy using public transportation, especially taxis, because they offer privacy, convenience, and speed compared to other types of public transport.

However, there are many instances where taxi fares can be exorbitantly high and inconsistent with the time and distance traveled. Although most passengers are aware of what's happening, they often feel powerless to do anything about it and end up paying the inflated fare to avoid confrontation.

Today, Rabbit Finance brings you tips on how to spot irregularities in taxi meters and how to deal with such scams, so you won't become the next victim!

Taxi Meter
Image courtesy of pantip.com

How to Know if the Taxi Meter is Malfunctioning

Nowadays, it's common to feel suspicious every time you get into a taxi. If you happen to get a good one, that's great, but if you encounter a dishonest driver, it can be a nightmare. So, let's take a look at what a scammer's meter looks like. Typically, while sitting in a taxi, you can see the meter in front of the driver, which displays the fare based on distance traveled. Yes, that number is what you need to pay close attention to.

Let's Check if the Meter is Abnormal

To observe, look at the bottom right corner of the fare display; there should be a small blinking dot. This blinking dot only appears when the taxi is moving. If the vehicle stops, the blinking dot will disappear, leaving only the numbers.

If a taxi is stopped and the blinking dot is still visible, it indicates that the meter has been tampered with to continuously inflate the fare, resulting in an unusually high charge.

Taxi Meter
Image courtesy of jangkhao.org

To Be Sure, Let's Check What Type of Meter is Legitimate and Which is a Scam

The observation methods mentioned above are just general guidelines for spotting taxi meters. To be more certain, let's categorize them, as there are now various types of meters, leading to multiple types of scams.

(1) Meters Without Receipts

  • If the taxi is moving at a speed of less than 6 kilometers/hour, the time indicator will blink.
  • If the taxi is moving at a speed greater than 6 kilometers/hour, the time indicator will stop blinking, but the distance indicator will blink instead.

(2) Meters With Receipts

  • When the taxi is moving, both the time and distance indicators will blink continuously.

Regardless, you should keep an eye on the distance and time displayed on the meter to compare it with the fare rate chart posted on the back of the passenger seat to ensure it aligns with government regulations.

Taxi Meter
Image courtesy of medihub.vn

If You Know You're Being Cheated, Here's How to Handle It

If you realize you're being cheated, don't shout or argue aggressively, as this may escalate the situation and put you in danger. Instead, follow the advice below.

Once you realize you've been cheated by the meter, remember the taxi's license plate number, the driver's ID number, or the number on the yellow sign inside the taxi door. Then, calmly exit the vehicle and call to report the incident at the Public Transport Passenger Protection Center at 1584 or the central hotline at 02-271-8888.

Now that you know this, the next time you need to use a taxi, be more vigilant and practice observing from the moment you get in to protect your interests.

If you encounter taxi scams again, you should report the meter cheating every time you experience it to encourage relevant authorities to address the issue seriously. By not ignoring such exploitative behavior, we can benefit ourselves and society as a whole.

Alternatively, it's best to download the “DLT Check in” application (available for both Android and iOS) to evaluate your taxi experience in real-time and send feedback directly to the Department of Land Transport.

Thanks for the information from rabbitfinance.com