On a recent trip to Spain the hotel called a taxi to go to airport when I got in he wanted the no on passport?

Question

The driver said this is because he was private hire and public hire and it was normal policy in Spain. Has anyone else had this?

Answer 1

could be right but my friend had it the other way too-on barcelona she got out of the taxi and he sped off with all her luggage-heard this is quite common-jeez u cant trust anyone

Answer 2

no...be careful of showing private information like that because your details might be copied and used for identity fraud

Answer 3

It is very possible that this is correct. Many taxi drivers do get attacked and by taking the passport number, they have a reference to hand to the police if such a thing occurred. Taxi drivers are very often robbed here for their takings. By giving a passport number, there is not a huge risk for identity theft, your photo is not given to them , nor are details such as your address. Here in Spain it is very much the norm to use the passport as ID as it is in fact a legal requirement for everyone to carry ID at all times, whether one lives here or is just a tourist! One has to show extra ID such as passport when paying by credit or debit card as well, as extra precautions against theft