Abe

I have always wondered about this, so bear with me.

When I traveled on business, I would frequently take cabs. I would request a receipt from the cabbie so I could be reimbursed by my company. The cab driver would often give me extra blank receipts.

What's going on here? Do the cabbies expect me to fill out these blank receipts and claim extra reimbursement and line my own pockets? Is "everyone else" really doing that? Does this happen to anyone else?

Donna

Often, when asking for a receipt, the driver will ask what amount I want him to put on it. I tell him the correct amount. It's possible that they're going for an extra tip. But, when I asked a driver why he was giving me extra blank slips, he said, "you'll have them in case you forget to ask for a receipt while you're here".

Diane

It's kind of useful depending on which city you're in. My company wants receipts for anything over $10. In places like Vegas where cabs (albeit for short distances) are pretty much in the $6-8 range pre-tip, one doesn't need receipts. But for airport to city center just about ANYWHERE else, the fare always seems to be about $30+ with tip.

ilisa

I work in Washington, DC and take cabs constantly. Cab drivers often give me extra receipts just in case I lose one or forget to ask.

Howard

Abe, I think you are overreacting to the experiences. It's not really part of a grand scheme to defraud our corporate world! Personally, I'm happy when I get an extra one for those times when I forget to ask for one!

dan woodlief

I just returned from a business trip in St. Louis. I asked for an extra receipt on two occasions because I had forgotten to get receipts on two other occasions. Once, the guy gave me three. The other time, the driver said he would give me another for a dollar. When I said "no," he gave me the extra one anyway. I have never had one give me extras without asking. I have heard that swindles like you are describing do happen and not just with taxis, so you may be right.

xxxxx

Lots of guys in my business brag about how much money they "make" on their business trips. One of their favorites is turning in about 4 or 5 taxi receipts per day in New York, each for $10 to $12, which no one questions. But they never take taxis in New York (other than in from the airport), they just walk and pocket all that extra money. This is why many ask for extra receipts and why the drivers are now used to giving them. By the way, they also claim $5 a day tip to the maid which they never leave and $10 tips for bell service even though they carry their own bags. It all adds up.