Scammed by Taxi Driver - what to do?

Wizardy18

One poster has suggested it could of been a mistake, um, no, not for that amount even if keyed in you'd know how much you entered when the machine confirmed the amount upon manually entering it, then having to confirm it by pressing enter.


Silly suggestion.

glider3560

Samsung_Note2 wrote: »

Sounds like the OP failed to check the amount being charged and was scammed...however id say its no ones fault but the OP for not checking.

Harsh as that sounds its how it is.

Some European card machines don't display the amount to the customer.

I saw one earlier this year in Spain which had two lines. One said "ENTER PIN" and the other had the stars. At no time did I get to see the amount until the receipt was printed.

punk84

Samsung_Note2 wrote: »

Sounds like the OP failed to check the amount being charged and was scammed...however id say its no ones fault but the OP for not checking.

Harsh as that sounds its how it is.

that's helpfull

Ben8282

Write to MBNA.
Tell MBNA that you wish to dispute the amount of the transaction.
Explain that you took a taxi from A to B, a journey of about X miles which took about Y minutes.
Explain that the cost of this journey was HUF8000 which was a reasonable and appropriate cost for a taxi journey of this length. Enclose a copy of the hand written receipt.
Explain that you have been charged HUF80000 which would appear to be an error. (It probably wasn't but don't go making accusations of fraud at this time).
I don't know if Hungarian card machines show a decimal point, but anyway with all these zero's it would not be beyond the bounds of possibility that you failed to realise that there was an extra zero.
Base your dispute on the fact that the amount charged does not correspond to what you could reasonably have been charged for a taxi journey of the length undertaken.

DCFC79

Ben8282 wrote: »

Write to MBNA.
Tell MBNA that you wish to dispute the amount of the transaction.
Explain that you took a taxi from A to B, a journey of about X miles which took about Y minutes.
Explain that the cost of this journey was HUF8000 which was a reasonable and appropriate cost for a taxi journey of this length. Enclose a copy of the hand written receipt.
Explain that you have been charged HUF80000 which would appear to be an error. (It probably wasn't but don't go making accusations of fraud at this time).
I don't know if Hungarian card machines show a decimal point, but anyway with all these zero's it would not be beyond the bounds of possibility that you failed to realise that there was an extra zero.
Base your dispute on the fact that the amount charged does not correspond to what you could reasonably have been charged for a taxi journey of the length undertaken.

I wonder if the taxi firm keeps a log of pickups and drop offs its drivers do, might also help the OP's case.

Obviously if the driver was a 1 man band records may not be kept.

PeacefulWaters

punk84 wrote: »

that's helpfull

PIN entered is often seen by the FOS as the end game.

Fortunately for the OP not 100% of the time. But there is still a decent chance the liability will remain.

[Deleted User]

You said the driver handed you the credit card slip - is that the receipt for the transaction? I've never known a card transaction in recent times where you don't get a printed receipt.

AllieKat

In many countries the PIN prompt does *not* show the final purchase total.

This is a practice I strongly disagree with for this reason, and Visa/MC should ban it, but the reality is it's the case in many countries.

Thus, the idea that entering PIN is accepting the amount falls flat. This needs disputed to the highest levels, including the courts if necessary.

eco_warrior

Definitely no chargeback rights on either Visa or MasterCard for this dispute type

8i6daddy

I have the upmost sympathy with the OP and the behaviour of the taxi driver and the missing info from the receipt does hint at foul play.... hope you don't end up liable for the transaction...

Is there any reason why you didnt use Uber? (I Know they're not everyones cup of tea, but they are handy in these sort of situations in foreign countries)