Overcharged cab fare

Absoluutbeginner

Hi all, my daughter in London wanted to move her unaccompanied luggage from point A to point B (her friend's flat), and was quoted £40 by the cab company. She said great and gave them her debit card details over the phone.

On checking her bank statement she found they had charged her double the amount! This sent her into unauthorised overdraft and the usual banking charges (Lloyds). Her friend had signed the cab company's electronic receipt.

The bank are totally unsympathetic (what's new) and will continue to charge her the daily overdraft rate until payday or whatever.

Does anyone know what rights she has in law? Thanks for any advice.

poodledoodledoo

Sometimes cab companies charge for the outward journey to reach you depending on how far from the cab base you live. If this is the case your daughter should have been told. It is also possible that she was charged for the round trip i.e £40 each way.

What explanation did the taxi firm give?

Absoluutbeginner

Thanks for the speedy reply.

DD says the quote was for the whole trip. The cab company have simply asked her to email her complaint and they will look into it. There was "No one she could speak to in person."

poodledoodledoo

Absoluutbeginner wrote: »

Thanks for the speedy reply.

DD says the quote was for the whole trip. The cab company have simply asked her to email her complaint and they will look into it. There was "No one she could speak to in person."

To be honest I would wait and see what the cab company says before taking things further. If they don't give a swift response to her email, I would be inclined to politely hassle them a bit. I reckon there is a reasonable chance of getting a £40 refund if your daughter stands her ground. In a situation where money is taken in error, the bank will refund the charges. This has happened to me (also a Lloyds TSB customer) and I received an immediate refund. Try and get a refund from the cab company first and then contact the bank for a refund.

Absoluutbeginner

Thanks very much for your advice Poodle. I will pass on your message, and hopefully all will be settled to her advantage.