Irish Taxi Forum
Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: silverbullet on November 25, 2022, 03:59:50 pm
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Dubliner warns of fake taxi scam after phone and €1,300 stolen
The 'taxi' involved in the scam had a sign making it look legitimate
November 25 2022 01:04 PM
A Dublin man has warned of a fake taxi scam after having his phone stolen and €1,300 taken from his bank accounts.
After failing to get a driver on one of the taxi apps on a Saturday night in the city, the Dubliner told RTÉ’s Liveline he decided to jump into a passing taxi.
“A taxi beeps me on the way and I thought I might as well hop in,” the man, identified only as Matthew, said.
“The driver proceeds to take me close to my destination and then claimed he didn’t know where it was, so asked to have a look at google maps on my phone.
“He then dropped it into the passenger side footwell and claimed couldn’t get it because of a bad back.
“He asked me to get out and get it, which I eventually did, and he just drove off,” Matthew added.
There was an illuminated taxi sign on the top of the car, which made it look like a real taxi.
Matthew said when he woke up the next morning money had been taken from three of his bank accounts and the passwords had been changed.
“It was an absolute nightmare. Up to about €1,300 was gone. This is an experienced scam,” he said.
He reported the theft to gardaí who told him they have had reports of similar incidents.
“It’s unfortunate that it is going on, particularly coming up to Christmas. They are preying on people who have been out socialising, had a couple of drinks and are letting their guard down,” Matthew said.
“They picked me up in a spot outside Ranelagh where they knew there were no cameras and they dropped me off in a spot where there were no lights or cameras. They really are experts,” he said.
Matthew is urging people to be careful coming up to Christmas when taking taxis home in the city.
“People need to be very careful, I know there is a shortage of taxis. I’ve learned a lesson if somebody doesn’t have their own Google Maps, you know, take a bit of warning.
“I suppose the other thing is it’s just a shame there are such a lack of available ways home at the moment, taxis and buses and things like that.
“The alternative is walking home on your own and it’s not safe for everybody. The vast majority of drivers I’ve ever come across are fantastic. It’s just unfortunate this incident has soured it a bit.”
Some of the €1,300 funds that were stolen from the bank account have since been refunded.
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If he was near to his destination why didn't he just direct the driver? Seems a bit fishy.
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How did the alledged robber gain access to the bank accounts?
My online bank has a 6 digit password ....why didn't the ape look up Google maps himself?
Sounds like bullshit ...
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Was this in Northside news? ...or Joe Duffy Facebook page ?
It's crap
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I'd agree octy, I call bullshit
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I'd agree octy, I call bullshit
1300 euros in 3 bank accounts rofl poor cnut
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That's my Xmas holiday sorted.
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sounds like he was buckled when the alleged incident happenned and he was half buckled when interviewed about when the alleged incident happenned.
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sounds like he was buckled when the alleged incident happenned and he was half buckled when interviewed about when the alleged incident happenned.
More holes in the story than a Swiss cheesecake
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Me back has improved a lot since then!!
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Dubliner warns of fake taxi scam after phone and €1,300 stolen
The 'taxi' involved in the scam had a sign making it look legitimate
November 25 2022 01:04 PM
A Dublin man has warned of a fake taxi scam after having his phone stolen and €1,300 taken from his bank accounts.
After failing to get a driver on one of the taxi apps on a Saturday night in the city, the Dubliner told RTÉ’s Liveline he decided to jump into a passing taxi.
“A taxi beeps me on the way and I thought I might as well hop in,” the man, identified only as Matthew, said.
“The driver proceeds to take me close to my destination and then claimed he didn’t know where it was, so asked to have a look at google maps on my phone.
“He then dropped it into the passenger side footwell and claimed couldn’t get it because of a bad back.
“He asked me to get out and get it, which I eventually did, and he just drove off,” Matthew added.
There was an illuminated taxi sign on the top of the car, which made it look like a real taxi.
Matthew said when he woke up the next morning money had been taken from three of his bank accounts and the passwords had been changed.
“It was an absolute nightmare. Up to about €1,300 was gone. This is an experienced scam,” he said.
He reported the theft to gardaí who told him they have had reports of similar incidents.
“It’s unfortunate that it is going on, particularly coming up to Christmas. They are preying on people who have been out socialising, had a couple of drinks and are letting their guard down,” Matthew said.
“They picked me up in a spot outside Ranelagh where they knew there were no cameras and they dropped me off in a spot where there were no lights or cameras. They really are experts,” he said.
Matthew is urging people to be careful coming up to Christmas when taking taxis home in the city.
“People need to be very careful, I know there is a shortage of taxis. I’ve learned a lesson if somebody doesn’t have their own Google Maps, you know, take a bit of warning.
“I suppose the other thing is it’s just a shame there are such a lack of available ways home at the moment, taxis and buses and things like that.
“The alternative is walking home on your own and it’s not safe for everybody. The vast majority of drivers I’ve ever come across are fantastic. It’s just unfortunate this incident has soured it a bit.”
Some of the €1,300 funds that were stolen from the bank account have since been refunded.
It's in the Indo so it must be true.
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I heard it on joe duffy a swell, I doubt it happened.
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Is there any Irish banking app that allows access without a password or similar?
I only have experience of Revolut,Ulster and now PTSB and none of those 3 are accessible.
I'm sure AIB and BofI are the same.
I'm calling 100% bullshit.
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Just sounds like another journo stirrin it...be lookin for taxis to be banned before Christmas!!
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I've met people who protect their phone with a thick semi-transparent plastic cover. And they keep the money notes at the back of the case/phone. You can see the paper money through the case. Would the guy above have written his passwords on a piece of paper and stuck them in the back of his phone case?
The story doesn't sound right but you never know!