The following is some advice for you if you are ever a customer of a taxi service so that you do NOT get ripped off by a crooked taxi cab driver.

• Plan ahead before you leave.
  Making decisions before you leave the house is always much safer especially if you plan to be drinking.
  
• Always try to reserve your taxi cab or private hire vehicle well in advance with a taxi service operator that you or a friend uses on a regular basis.
  
• Ask the company to quote you a price for the cab ride over the phone, so that you can have enough money.
  
• When reserving a taxi cab, ask for the cab driver's name, make, cab number, and color of his taxi.
  
• Make sure you have the taxi company's phone number stored in your cell phone.
  
• Always keep at least three numbers of reputable taxi or private hire vehicle services in your cell phone.
  
• Write down on paper a separate list of reliable taxi service phone numbers and place it in your purse, pocket, or wallet in case you lose your cell phone.
  
• Do not approach a car you think is your taxi cab.
  Let the taxi cab approach you.
  
• When the taxi cab arrives, ask the driver the reservation name and destination.
  Ask him, "Who are you for?"
• Check the dashboard for the driver's ID.
  Check to see if he is from the company you ordered the taxi cab from.
  
• Do NOT get into a private hire vehicle you have not ordered.
  

When you get into a taxi cab, there are some ground rules you should follow.

• Sit in the back seat of the taxi.
  If there is a group of you going to different places, remember that the last person to get out is the person at most risk.
  The last person that plans to leave the taxi cab should sit behind the driver at the outset.
  
• Do not talk to the taxi driver.
  If you do talk, stick to general topics, and do not give out any personal information about yourself.
  
• If you are concerned, frightened, or think you may be in danger, call 911 right away.
  
• Ask the taxi driver to wait until you are safely inside your house.
  Some of them will not mind.
  If you feel safe, the taxi cab driver will know that you will use them more often.
  

Crimes perpetrated by taxi drivers are rare, but there is no consolation if you become a victim yourself.
By following these safety tips to increase your personal safety, you can reduce the risk of somebody committing a crime against you.