Brit tourist warns of fake Costa ‘taxi’ scam in Spain

A BRITISH man holidaying on Spain’s Costa del Sol has warned people to be on their guard after he was approached by ‘fake’ taxi.
Sam Simmons, who’s staying in Calahonda, said he and his partner were waiting at a bus stop when a white, medium-sized hatchback car pulled up.
The 50-year-old from Surrey said the driver of the car told them the bus company had sent him because buses were cancelled and he would give them a lift to Fuengirola.
Sam told the Euro Weekly News: “I was about to get in but luckily my partner had more sense and slammed the door.
“The man became very verbally aggressive and then sped off.
“I wouldn’t consider getting into a stranger’s car at home but when in holiday mode I let my guard down.
Sam said: “This wasn’t a taxi though just some chancer – god knows what he was thinking of doing!”
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Spain says: “Most visits to Spain are trouble-free, but you should be alert to the existence of crime, especially thieves using distraction techniques.”
And they also caution: “Make sure you book your taxi or airport transfer through a licensed firm. Passengers caught using unlicensed taxi services are liable for fines of up to €600.”