MEL taxi scam

[Happy Dude]

So how do they get paid?

It appears by bank transfer, for an amount well in excess of what the paxs' app said, after the drivers claim that the app/PIN isn't working. It's more a variation on the touts in the terminal to touts now in the pickup area and pretending to be rideshare drivers and convincing pax to cancel legit fares.

 

[NoName]

So what happens when the PAX protests and takes a few photos as evidence of what’s going on? If it weren’t for the inconvenience factor I would actually love to be picked up by one of these scumbags to see what they try on.

 

[VPS]

The Uber racket at Melbourne Airport scamming travellers

Within minutes of getting into the stranger’s car and heading towards her home, Jo Case says she knew in her bones that something was wrong.

www.theage.com.au

So just checking that you aren't given the number plate of the car just the pin code.

 

[Austman]

The Uber racket at Melbourne Airport scamming travellers

Within minutes of getting into the stranger’s car and heading towards her home, Jo Case says she knew in her bones that something was wrong.

www.theage.com.au

So just checking that you aren't given the number plate of the car just the pin code.

You only get the PIN. Then you take the next car the Uber Marshal tells you to.

 

[Happy Dude]

You only get the PIN. Then you take the next car the Uber Marshal tells you to.

There's the chink in the system that creates the opportunity for the scammers. No marshalls are needed at Canberra, for example. You identify your ride by the number plate and give the driver the PIN.

I haven't used Uber at MEL, only Didi in November, and we identified our ride by the number plate. No marshall or prepaid ticket.

 

[Brissy1]

Who would ever get into a "uber" where its number plate doesn't match the booking, unbelievable.

 

[VPS]

Who would ever get into a "uber" where its number plate doesn't match the booking, unbelievable.

but the issue at Melbourne airport as above is you are not given the number plate only the PIN but you should check the PIN before you get in the car

 

[Brissy1]

but the issue at Melbourne airport as above is you are not given the number plate only the PIN but you should check the PIN before you get in the car

Yes sorry I wasn't up to date, maybe pin only was a backward step.

 

[nancypants]

Isn’t it less checking the pin and more giving the next uber cab in the rank your pin and then they get your route etc. There’s no choice really involved either for rider or driver

The issue which was reportedly several months ago is drivers either not being legit uber drivers at all, or claiming the pin isn’t working having already driven off, and riders being extorted for cash or similar

 

[Aeryn]

When you give the pin they confirm your name and destination, dont let them start driving until this is confirmed.

 

[dajop]

Yes sorry I wasn't up to date, maybe pin only was a backward step.

It is there for efficiency, uber operates my like a cab now. Previously it was terribly inefficient, people waiting for specific vehicles to turn up from the holding area to collect them .. 10-15min waits and a complete mess (which it is with DiDi).

But it could be easily solved by having a number plate validation, you type in or submit an image of number plate before you get in to validate that the vehicle is live and active on the uber platform.