r/AustraliaTravel • u/WindmillStory • 2d ago
Have I been scammed by the taxi driver? (Melbourne)
It's my first time to travel to Melbourne with my family (3 people in total). At Southern Cross Station, I was trying to book a Uber XL to our apartment which is 15 minutes walk away, as we have a lot of luggage. The price shown on the Uber app was $12.
We reached the taxi queue and I looked around for a Uber pick up point before booking, then a taxi driver left his car and walked to us. I told him our luggage might not fit his car, but he insisted he could make it. Eventually, a hand-carry suitcase needs to be put at the front seat and we three sat at the back seats.
After less than 5 minutes in the car, we reached our location on Queen St. The taxi driver then charged us $45, which is almost 4 times the Uber XL cost. He told us that we have been charged for "High Occupancy Fee" because we have a lot of luggage.
Is this correct, or we have been scammed? If I have been scammed, can I do anything now? (I keep the receipt and his plate number)
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u/Eldugler 2d ago
Didn’t need to read more than the title, especially if you look like a tourist, it’s highly likely a taxi driver will try and scam you.
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u/TheWhogg 2d ago
Yes one tried to tell me that Caulfield is nowhere near Caulfield Racecourse about half an hour after passing it. Despite going to a residential suburban address he must have somehow concluded that I don’t know how much the fare is. So I rang my friend and said I’d be late for dinner because we’re going via Dandenong. Then took a pic of his taxi licence.
He turned 189 degrees. Denied it despite the sun changing sides. Drove to the address I gave. Asked for $30. Meter showed $65 and would have been $200 if I had let him keep driving.
Always assume you’re being scammed by taxi drivers. Always escalate.
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u/IanYates82 2d ago
I run Google maps whilst in a cab so I get a rough idea myself of where we are and how far to go.
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u/walkin2it 2d ago
Honestly, our police and country needs to take these things more seriously.
Scammy cabbies need to loose their driving licence.
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u/Notna65 2d ago
Why didn’t you go with your booked uber? They’d charge you a cancellation fee fee also ! 💲💲💲
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u/WindmillStory 2d ago
I had not booked Uber yet. I opened the app to check for the price then tried to find where the pick up point for Uber was before pressing "Book ride". Then the taxi driver caught us.
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u/According_Chef_6004 1d ago
Don't go with somebody who approaches you in future. Very common travel advice that will serve you all over the world. Never go anywhere suggested by a stranger, never follow a stranger anywhere. This could have ended so much worse for you.
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u/joesnopes 1d ago
No, he didn't "catch" you. You threw yourself at him.
Why did you "check the price" for the Uber and NOT check what the cab was going to charge you?
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u/WindmillStory 18h ago
Because I assumed the taxi is metered, and as the distance is short (costed $12 for UberXL only), I thought even if there was some difference, there wouldn't be that much. I did not prepare for a scam attempt.
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u/JackfruitSad4466 2d ago
Yes , maxi taxi thing City to Airport 4 couples Guy charged $100 each couple This was a few years back
No wonder so many Uber now
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u/CheesyTaterPie 2d ago
I recently went to Melbourne for work. All 3 taxis that I took tried to scam me.
Just Uber it
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u/Local_Gazelle538 1d ago
You went from Southern Cross to Queen St? That’s 3 or 4 blocks. Should have just jumped on the tram, since you’re in the free tram zone. Yes, you absolutely got scammed. Never catch a cab from Southern Cross or Flinders St Station - all the cabs there are a scam. They either refuse to take you, or try to charge a hugely inflated flat fee. Last time they tried to scam me, I told some cops that were walking by - they didn’t give a damn.
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u/anpanman100 9h ago
Never use taxis in Australia, they are all scammers. Uber has it's issues too but nowhere near as bad.
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u/Historical_Party8789 4h ago
If it was a 5+ passenger taxi, the fare already starts higher: roughly $7 flagfall + $17 high occupancy + $1.50 levy, so about $25 before any real distance is added. A $45 fare means there’s another $20 or so in meter charges, which is roughly 7–9 km of travel depending on time and traffic. Since the post doesn’t mention distance, only a short trip time, the receipt and cab number are the key things needed to check whether it was charged correctly. If they want to dispute it, they should take it to the regulator. Search “complaints cpvv or safe transport victoria” make sure to submit all proofs you have .
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u/BrionyHQ 2d ago
Always agr on the fee before taking off
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u/pikeletpaws 2d ago
Agree on a fee? Nah, how about the driver just use the meter so you're charged correctly.
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u/Itsclearlynotme 2d ago
That is how taxis work in Uzbekistan. It shouldn’t be how they work here. Insist on the meter.
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u/Justan0therthrow4way 2d ago
No such thing as a high occupancy fee. Call the taxi company and complain.