Caribbean Cruise Line Scam Watch Presents Tourist Traps To Look Out For: The Taxi Cab Hustle

Online, February 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - At Caribbean Cruise Line ScamWatch, we are glad to offer you this article to assist you with your travel plans this year and we hope you have a great vacation. There are a lot of great tourist destinations out there, many of which are great and many have a lot of potential problems to look out for so we hope that you avoid any travel issues that are out there and at Caribbean Cruise Line we are doing our part to educate tourists about potential problems. One of the most common issues to be aware of is cab drivers taking advantage of tourists and Caribbean Cruise Line wants to take a couple of minutes to discuss this with you.

Taxi drivers love to swindle money out of unsuspecting tourists as they are strangers in a strange land and very unfamiliar with things.

As with other scams in foreign countries, being knowledgeable about the local currency is a must. Also, try not to ever hand a cab driver a large bill as they will often drop it and then switch it with a smaller bill or a counterfeit one they have stashed under their seat. Some will charge you inflated rates setting the meter for evening or weekend rates in some instances and setting it for multiple persons in others. A lot of times they will quote you one rate when you get into the cab, only to double it once you arrive at your destination.

Some cabbies work with local hotels, offering you a "package deal" right at the airport. However, once you arrive at the hotel, you find the discounted rooms are mysteriously all filled up. The hotel then charges you an exorbitant amount to stay, and the cab driver receives a commission on the side.

It also pays to have a working knowledge of where you're headed. If you know the route to your hotel should only be 15 minutes, make sure the cabbie knows you know this. Don't let yourself be talked into alternate routes or "shortcuts" that could end up lasting 45 minutes or more.

How do you avoid falling victim? Make your travel and lodging plans in advance. If you need a taxi, use a hotel or restaurant to call for one. If hailing a cab on the street, choose only those with prominent logos and telephone numbers. Never accept a ride from an unmarked car -- you could end up losing more than just your wallet.

Caribbean Cruise Line Reviews these kinds of issues through articles is happy to provide this information here and on our website. If you have any questions about travel scams feel free to contact us; Caribbean Cruise Line is here to assist you at any time.

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