Scam in South AfricaTaxis
Unlicensed airport taxi touts in South Africa
How it works
Someone inside the terminal offers you a taxi. These unlicensed touts can lead you into paying more.
Warning signs
- Someone approaches you inside the airport offering a taxi.
- They try to lead you away from the licensed taxi queue.
How to avoid it
- Decline taxi offers inside the terminal.
- Use the licensed taxi queue outside the building.
- Insist on the meter before entering a licensed metered taxi.
- Ask your hotel to arrange a pickup.
If it happens to you
If you have not left, step away and use the licensed queue. If already travelling, avoid an argument that could put you at risk and seek help once somewhere safe.
- Get to safety. During a robbery, do not resist, negotiate or chase the attacker.
- Freeze or cancel stolen cards immediately. If your phone is missing, secure its accounts and mobile service.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages and photographs. Write down the time, place and what happened.
- Report theft, robbery or fraud to police as soon as possible. Ask for a report reference.
- Tell the relevant airline, hotel, transport operator or rental company. Contact your embassy if your passport was stolen.
- Contact your insurer and card issuer about any claim or disputed payment. Keep copies of all reports and correspondence.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/capetown2024Warning! - Airport Uber ScamA poster describes an airport driver falsely claiming that new regulations required Uber journeys to be ordered and prepaid through him.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/capetown2023taxi scam at airport?Travellers discuss an inflated airport taxi fare and report drivers falsely presenting themselves as Uber operators.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the unlicensed airport taxi touts scam in South Africa?
Someone inside the terminal offers you a taxi. These unlicensed touts can lead you into paying more.
How can I spot it early?
Someone approaches you inside the airport offering a taxi. They try to lead you away from the licensed taxi queue.
How do I avoid unlicensed airport taxi touts in South Africa?
Decline taxi offers inside the terminal. Use the licensed taxi queue outside the building. Insist on the meter before entering a licensed metered taxi. Ask your hotel to arrange a pickup.
What should I do if it happens to me?
If you have not left, step away and use the licensed queue. If already travelling, avoid an argument that could put you at risk and seek help once somewhere safe.
Where in South Africa does this happen?
Inside O.R. Tambo International Airport It has been reported in Johannesburg.
How common is this scam in South Africa?
Occasional. Theft, street cons and tourist overcharging are real concerns in South Africa, though most visitors have a trouble-free stay. Watch for airport taxi touts, hidden exchange fees, unwanted ATM help and inflated souvenir prices. Pickpocketing, baggage theft, smash-and-grab theft and armed robbery also need care.
Are there similar scams in South Africa?
Yes: airport taxi drivers blocking access to the shuttle, taxi price fixing.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report robbery, theft or fraud promptly. Go to a police station once safe and ask for a report reference. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or a trusted contact number to freeze or cancel a missing card and report payments you did not make. ATM operator: if your card becomes stuck, contact the helpline displayed at the ATM for assistance. Contact your card issuer as well to cancel the card. Airline or airport staff: report baggage theft as soon as you notice it. Keep baggage tags, flight details and photographs of damage. Accommodation or transport operator: report the incident to staff or the booking provider. Provide receipts, booking details and a clear account of what happened. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: use the contact details in your policy. Keep police reports, receipts and evidence of the loss.
What number do I call in an emergency in South Africa?
Netcare 911 emergency assistance contact: +27 11 254-1927, ER24 emergency assistance, domestic number: 084 124.
Reviewed by @snuck