Cab scam: Drivers overcharging, misrepresenting drop locations

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A Reddit user has issued a warning to commuters regarding a concerning taxi scam unfolding in the city.

Allegedly, some unscrupulous taxi drivers are surreptitiously charging passengers extra fares by falsely specifying dropoff locations. An anonymous user recounted a recent incident where their mother fell victim to this scheme.

She had booked a cab destined for Kempegowda International Airport, but the driver reportedly deceitfully claimed that the drop-off point was Terminal 1, even though her Uber booking clearly indicated Terminal 2.

“My mother was flying out of Bangalore T2 and had booked her cab to the same (For those of you who might be unaware, Uber shows you the list of different airlines while flying out of Bangalore and books your ride to either T1 or T2 based on the airlines you choose). On the way to the airport, the driver told my mother that the drop location is T1 and not T2. My mother knew that it wasn’t T1 because firstly, her boarding pass said T2 and secondly, she had chosen the same airlines in the app as well (plus, she’s travelled through T2 before so knows that the airlines operate from T2). The driver kept insisting that the drop location was wrong and demanded an extra 75 rs to drop her off at T2,” Reddit user wrote in the post.

In response to this incident, the woman urged fellow users to exercise caution when selecting their drop-off locations. The Reddit post attracted comments from other users who shared similar unsettling encounters they had endured.

One user, Ataraxia_new, recounted how a driver pressured him into canceling a ride and then insisted on a cash payment upon rebooking. Despite accepting the cash payment option for a lower fare, the driver allegedly demanded additional payment upon reaching the final destination.

Other users suggested commuters not argue about drop-off location if it is T1 or T2 of the airport as there is free shuttle service between the two terminals inside the airport.

“There are free shuttle services between the terminals, use them. Then raise a complaint to Uber/Ola that the driver dropped you at the wrong location,” the user commented.