Scam in ColombiaTaxis
Taxi referral touts in Colombia
How it works
A tout offers to find you a taxi and leads you to a particular cab. The driver then pays the tout a small tip. This referral arrangement is not itself evidence of a scam, but the tout is being paid by the driver.
Warning signs
- An intermediary approaches you and directs you to a particular taxi.
How to avoid it
- Book your own taxi by phone or app.
- Use an official taxi rank.
- Check the fare or meter arrangements yourself.
If it happens to you
- Get to a safe, staffed place. If someone has a weapon or threatens violence, do not resist.
- If a card or phone was stolen, contact your card issuer and mobile provider promptly. Freeze affected cards and secure your accounts.
- Write down what happened while you remember it. Save receipts, booking details, vehicle information and relevant messages.
- Report the incident to police. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123 and the taxi company.
- Contact your insurer and ask what evidence they need. Tell your card issuer about any disputed or forced transactions.
- If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for replacement-document guidance.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the taxi referral touts scam in Colombia?
A tout offers to find you a taxi and leads you to a particular cab. The driver then pays the tout a small tip. This referral arrangement is not itself evidence of a scam, but the tout is being paid by the driver.
How can I spot it early?
An intermediary approaches you and directs you to a particular taxi.
How do I avoid taxi referral touts in Colombia?
Book your own taxi by phone or app. Use an official taxi rank. Check the fare or meter arrangements yourself.
Where in Colombia does this happen?
Some taxi pickup areas
How common is this scam in Colombia?
Occasional. Travellers can face taxi overcharging, pushy touts, dishonest money changers and theft in Colombia. Cartagena has several tourist-focused tricks, while Bogotá has warnings about pickpockets and taxi robberies. The risk varies by area and time of day, and some incidents involve threats or violence.
Are there similar scams in Colombia?
Yes: taxi fare overcharging, taxi detours and waiting-charge tricks, paseo Millonario taxi robbery.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, threats or fraud once you are safe. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123. Ask how to obtain a record of your report. Taxi company: for a taxi complaint in Bogotá, also contact the company with which the taxi is registered. Provide the booking details and vehicle registration if available. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or contact number to freeze a stolen card and report disputed or forced withdrawals. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts and any police report. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Mobile provider: report a stolen phone and ask the provider to block the SIM.
What number do I call in an emergency in Colombia?
Police: taxi problems and complaints in Bogotá: 123.
Reviewed by @snuck