SingaporeI was overcharged by a taxi driver. What recourse do I have?
You can lodge a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) or take civil action under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, which prohibits suppliers from engaging in unfair practices like overcharging.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA) protects consumers from unfair trade practices by suppliers — including taxi drivers — when providing services.
Section 4 of the CPFTA makes it unlawful for a supplier to engage in an 'unfair practice' in relation to a consumer transaction. Overcharging without justification — such as demanding more than the metered fare or agreed fare — may constitute an unfair practice.
An 'unfair practice' includes knowingly making a false or misleading representation about the price of a good or service. It also covers taking advantage of a consumer’s inability to protect their interests due to age, disability, or language barriers.
The law applies to all suppliers in Singapore, including licensed taxi operators and ride-hailing drivers acting as service providers.
Statutory Text4.—(1) A supplier must not, in relation to a consumer transaction, engage in an unfair practice.
— Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, s. 4 — Unfair practices
What to Do
Check your receipt or e-receipt for the fare breakdown and compare it with the meter reading or app fare estimate.
Contact the taxi operator (e.g., ComfortDelGro, SMRT Taxis) or ride-hailing platform (e.g., Grab, Gojek) to report the overcharge.
Lodge a formal complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) at https://www.case.org.sg.
If unresolved, consider filing a civil claim in the Small Claims Tribunal (for claims up to $20,000; or $30,000 if both parties agree).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.