A couple of days ago we have been waiting on Oktogon for the taxi we ordered by phone. We have our preferences, and always use the same taxi company, so we know how their cars look like and what their logo is.
A car bearing no signs except crooked “Taxi” sign on the car roof pulled to the curb, and the driver started to waive his hands and point to the meter impatiently thus trying to persuade us to get into the car.
We knew for sure that this car was not sent by the taxi company we usually use, and waived it away. But we have to admit that the driver played his role rather convincingly, and could succeed in persuading less informed people. There are no doubts that the fare for using this scam taxi is twice as much.
We highly recommend that you use registered taxi companies and order the taxi by phone.
See the list of Taxi Companies in Budapest.
Just playing the devil's advocate here - perhaps it was not a scam, but the poor fellow trying to demonstrate to you that he was legit because he even had a meter!!! instead he was completely misunderstood and you thought him a crook :) Just can't win in this world. :)
Probably you are right. But unlike the drivers of the company we usually use this one was too rude.