Cabbie drivers lying about their credit card machine is a moot point if your jurisdiction has a decent regulatory body. In DC if they pull that shit, I just get out with out paying as they're not abiding by the law and the dept of for hire vehicles will have my back.

Last time I had this happen (probably happened 50+ times in my life) it was in Miami and the guy didn't tell me till he got me to the mall, maybe a 5-10 min drive. I told him if he expected cash only he should've told me when I got in at the hotel and not after I pulled out my card. I hopped out and the guy left his car parked in the valet and started following and shouting at me that I need to pay him for his service through the mall.

No idea how strict Miami is on this stuff but I didn't really have time to dig into regulations and make phone calls 2 hours before a wedding while I've got some asshole shouting at me and being aggressive. I remember joking to myself "great, my phones dead so I can't Lyft, bet I'll have a great cab experience."

That was the last time I ever took a cab.

edit: Seems pervasive; https://www.yelp.com/biz/crown-taxi-miami

Right. But, people like me hate dealing with confrontation and govt offices. I would just pay with cash and go to a competing service next time (Uber, Lyft, mass transit.) If only there were startup mass transit providers in cities.

Just out of curiosity, does DC limit the number of cab drivers?