Taxis and Car Services

Taxis that respond to calls from a dispatcher fall into this group. These drivers are particularlly at risk because they can be lured into an area by a robber who calls to be picked up.

Drivers can protect themselves by having dispatchers request a full name and a phone number, which can be called back and checked.

The dispatcher can refuse to respond to calls made from payphones, reducing the danger of robbery.

Caller ID is also a good idea because it will show where exactly the call is coming from -- a robber is unlikely to call from a private phone, so caller ID will identify all public phone calls.

It is impossible to detect dangerous calls when they are made from stolen cell-phones, so drivers still have to be alert.