‘It’s fraud’: Aussies are getting ripped off due to one simple trick from rogue cabbies

Some rogue cab drivers are getting away with fraudulent transactions, using a simple trick to get more money out of everyday Aussies.

Aussies are being warned about a new scam around major events with “rogue cabbies” using one trick to rip off customers.

A simple scam has emerged, where Aussies are being ripped off by independent taxi drivers, who use major events to price-gouge customers. The scammers rely on customers getting into the taxi without the meter running, before charging customers absorbent fees for the taxi ride.

13 Cabs chief operating officer Olivia Barry warned of a scam where taxi drivers refuse to use the meter during busy events such as the upcoming Australian Open, with more than one million Aussies likely to attend the two-week event.

Customers are being warned to exercise caution when getting into a cab at major events. Picture: NewsWire-Sarah Marshall

“What we understand is independent, rogue drivers are not following the rules unfortunately and won’t turn on a meter to charge a customer,” Ms Barry told 3AW.

“Very frequently, they’ll charge whatever they like, and they do that because there is no way to lock that metered price to the payment terminal.”

Ms Barry reminded customers that since 2023 it has been illegal for taxi drivers not to use the meter when driving passengers.

“You can identify them because there is no branding on their taxis,” she said.

“A taxi driver can use any number of eftpos payment terminals … [they] might have anywhere up to two or three.”

“We firmly believe they only need one and that one needs to be connected to the meter, so there is integrity in that price.”

Despite being a fraud, Ms Barry said it can be difficult to dispute a fare at the end of a journey if the cab driver did not use the meter.

Taxi drivers are getting away with not turning on the meter. Picture: NewsWire/Sarah Marshall

Ms Barry added Aussies should be very wary of unbranded taxis as there is usually very little recourse in getting your money back if you’ve been scammed.

The ACCC says customers who have a problem with a taxi organisation should reach out to the state and territory government regulators.

13 Cabs even had attendants watching for “cowboy cabbies” at the Grand Prix last year to ensure each one was using a registered meter when picking up passengers.

“It is a regulatory requirement taxis put on the meter, but because there are no boots on the ground from Safe Transport Victoria that is something that is not adhered to,” Ms Barry said.

NewsWire has reached out to Safe Transport Victoria for comment.

Originally published as ‘It’s fraud’: Aussies are getting ripped off due to one simple trick from rogue cabbies