In the past three years, cases of taxi scams at major airports in New York have been on the rise, with the phenomenon of illegal taxis soliciting passengers becoming increasingly rampant. According to data provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, incidents related to illegal taxi solicitations at airports have surged by 110% since 2022.
Taxi scams refer to instances where illegal taxi drivers approach unsuspecting travelers and offer rides at prices lower than official taxis or legal ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Despite warnings posted by airport authorities and airlines cautioning travelers to beware of taxi scams, the problem continues to escalate.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, multiple instances of illegal taxis or their accomplices soliciting passengers have been observed recently at both John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Measures such as undercover police patrols, restricted parking areas, and impounding unattended vehicles have been implemented at the airports, yet the problem persists.
One traveler shared her experience of falling victim to a taxi scam at JFK Airport on social media. Upon arriving at the airport with her newlywed husband, they first headed to the designated yellow taxi queue area. A man approached them, falsely claiming that taxis from that area only went to Queens and the Bronx, and recommended they use the taxis across the street. He then deceived and coerced them into a vehicle.
Upon reaching their hotel, the driver demanded $275 for what turned out to be a mere 20-minute ride! While the couple ended up paying only $150, the experience undoubtedly cast a shadow over their honeymoon trip.
The Port Authority recently launched a campaign at JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports to raise awareness among travelers about taxi scams. Posters and videos displayed in the arrival areas of the airports remind passengers that legitimate taxi or ride-sharing drivers would never solicit passengers.
Furthermore, a pilot program is being tested at the taxi stands at JFK Airport where legitimate taxi drivers are empowered to report illegal taxis, thus enhancing surveillance efforts to prevent fraudulent activities. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, are also actively cautioning passengers to avoid falling into scam traps.
The Port Authority advises all travelers to opt for official taxi queues or use legitimate ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft when taking airport taxis to avoid being deceived by unscrupulous individuals. In case of any suspicious situations, passengers are urged to promptly report to airport staff or law enforcement to ensure their safety.