Beware! Melbourne Cab Scam!

guys why do u need to pay the taxi driver. Why cannot you used a prepaid system where you pay in advance on the internet for the trip. That way you are not dealing with the taxi driver and dealing with the company directly.
You can book your next travel with and pay for your trip in advance. No problems with using your credit card.

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PAY CASH!!

As a retired Melbourne taxi drivers, allow me to put the driver's perspective.

It is true, that frequently the eftpos in taxis does not work. There are geographical reasons for this as well as technology issues. Paper dockets are then the only other way to process card payments. Most taxi drivers try to avoid this, but from the sound of it, some use it as a scam.

I have never heard of the companies mentioned in this thread. And even though I live in Melbourne, and have for more than half a century, could not find them. They are not in the phone book, and I cannot find anyone who has heard of them.

The taxi industry throughout Australia has many problems, most of which can be traced back to the company who owns the taxi paying system. Libel laws prevent me from saying about this company what I really would like to say. Suffice to say, that they add 10%!t(MISSING)o every amount which goes through their terminals Australia wide. Not a bad little income!!

To help the industry as a whole, taxi drivers in particular and not be a contributor to this (objectionable) company, I beg you..... I urge you to.....

PAY CASH IN AUSTRALIAN TAXIS!

Those who have been stung should be able to get the money refunded through their credit card company. Reporting this to the fraud department of a bank and / or the Victorian Police Force fraud department as well as the Victorian Taxi Directorate and the Victorian Taxi Association may also help to stamp out this practice.

Lifey who loved driving taxis
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The compnay you are looking for is Arrow Taxis - Yellow Cabs in Arden St North Melbourne

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Yes I am aware that it did hit the news. The police informed me that it had. Great to hear some people actually say it.

For all who have had fraudulent charges: please report as much info as you can to the local police. This is what I ended up doing and they actually investigated the frauds. The taxi directorate, consumer affairs, etc. etc. did nothing and did not even respond to any of my inquires but the Melbourne Police did.

To conclude my involvement in this mess, a few weeks ago I received a lengthy email from the detective in charge of the investigation. Here is part of what he had to say:

"I wanted to provide you with a response in respect of the outcome of the investigation in relation to your taxi travel here in Melbourne in May, 2008. Victoria Police receive several complaints in relation to the fraudulent use of credit card information over the same period of time. As a result an complex and lengthy investigation has taken place.

It was determined that the deceptions were also being completed by companies who pay individual drivers cash when they present a credit card receipt. These companies are known as brokers and unfortunately they are not well regulated within the state. The processes utilised by the companies allowed for the individual drivers to manipulate receipts submitted.

Victoria Police have worked in conjunction with the Victorian Taxi Directorate to publicise the fraud through the local media and alike. The Victorian Taxi Directorate is currently lobbying the state government to improve the processes of such companies so that the likelihood of an incident such as this occurring again in the future is limited."

Seems to me you have a great police service in Melbourne. I was very impressed with how my issue was handled and how they kept me up to date on the investigation, even though I am all the way over here in Canada.

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If you are still in Melbourne, go see the police at the police office in Flinders Street, west of Spencer Street. Best if you can recall the cab company, and even better if you have the receipt. You should always request/accept a receipt.

If you are told that there is nothing they can do, please ask them to record your complaint, so that a record of these abuses becomes established.

A Five dollar fare on a credit card will be charged as $5.60 - this goes to the processing company (Cabcharge) and not to the driver.

If you do know the company of the taxi contact them as well. Please do not be complacent. We are working to stamp this out.

Lifey who is a retired Melbourne taxi driver Reply to this

Glad I came across this thread. This shouldn't just noted in Melbourne but perhaps everywhere. Before guys! Reply to this

Paying in cash does seem the most sensible but we rarely travel with much cash anymore. Dave is much better at saving the receipts than I am. Reply to this