How to handle rigged taxi meters?

[Summer of 69]

Back in 2018 in Manila, I took a taxi where where most of the trip the meter seemed to be running sanely, but suddenly when I had to pay for the trip the meter was just a few Pesos under 1000 Pesos, appearing to have doubled or maybe more in the last 10 minutes of the trip where I did not watch the meter. I did not know what to do and just gave him 1000 and refused to give him the tip that he asked for as well!!!

The other day, something similar happened to my sons mother. She did not watch the meter at all, but ended up with a bill of 960 Pesos, more than double what the trip should have cost her (this was in Cebu). She again did not know what else to do but pay the full amount.

Does anyone have advice on how to react to this?

[JJReyes]

Before boarding, my wife takes a frontal and side view photograph of the taxi with her cellular phone.  The driver is aware of what she has done.  He can manipulate his rigged meter or let it charge the standard fare.  The photos taken means we have his vehicle number; sometimes a partial picture of the driver; location where it was taken; and the time.  If there is any suspicion of an overcharge, another photograph is taken at the destination.  Again, make it obvious to the driver.

Will we report the incident to transit authorities?  No.  Let the driver keep the P1,000 and forget about it.  Not worth our time and the trouble.  The satisfaction is the taxi driver will worry for a few days whether it will be reported which could cost him money.  

[Summer of 69]

This sounds like a tactic that would scare most scamming taxi drivers into not overcharging just to be on the safe side, but it sounds like you still have suspicions sometimes. Have you ever had suspicions of more than 100 Pesos being added after having taken the initial photos?

[JJReyes]

11 hours ago, Summer of 69 said:

This sounds like a tactic that would scare most scamming taxi drivers into not overcharging just to be on the safe side, but it sounds like you still have suspicions sometimes. Have you ever had suspicions of more than 100 Pesos being added after having taken the initial photos?

Sure.  The latest was a taxi driver from Mall of Asia to Makati Greenbelt who kept praying every few minutes asking loudly for his fare (us) to be generous during Christmas so he could buy presents for his children.  It did not appear on the meter, but I felt obligated to tip an extra P100.  

Most prolific taxi scammers were in Istanbul, Turkey.  Most honest we encountered were in Spain.  In Cuenca, they didn't have meters yet each time the amount charge was identical for the same destination.  The warning by the hotel was to just avoid using gypsy (unlicensed) taxis.

[hk blues]

Overcharging isn't something  we experience much, if at all, but from time-to-time the driver will ask us to add a little extra for whatever reason and I don't mind this. We were in Hong Kong for 10 years and did experience overcharging a few times but the HK authorities are strict on this so drivers tend not to argue when they are called out on this.  

[Freebie]

I take yellow taxis from airport to my place most of the time. And most of the time theres no issues with meters though the odd guy will think Im a turista, till i suggest in Tagalog he turns the radio down.. then he knows I know.    

Anyways recent trip  one cheeky fellow, decides to ask me " how much do I normally pay ?".

Tell him P200 which is often close to the amount on meter. This prat says if its more than P 200 I pay double the extra amount, over P200.

I suggest he just uses the meter. Arrive  near my place and tell him to stop. Meter says P180.

I give him P160.. Sir thats double the amount that LESS than P200.  Hes starts blabbering , whinging  wheres my P20....etc.. Sir, so now you shouldnt play games.

Heres your P 20 ,be more honest in the future.. remember visitors to your country should get a good impression from drivers. .