A woman from Bengaluru recently shared her experience on Reddit regarding an encounter with a deceitful Ola driver. Identified as Reddit user @Whyshnahwe, she detailed how the driver allegedly attempted to trick her with a fabricated payment screenshot. This incident underscores the significance of passengers remaining vigilant when using ride-sharing services and adhering to established payment protocols.
In her detailed Reddit post, the woman recounted her need to reach coaching classes in Wilson Garden and her booking of an Ola cab for the journey with cash payment selected as the option. “The ride was without incident. As he reached to conclude the trip by taking his phone from the holder, I was occupied with gathering my belongings,” she recalled. “Shortly after, he informed me, ‘Madam, the fare is 749,’ and presented his phone to me.”
To her surprise, the fare displayed was considerably higher than the approximately ₹254 she had confirmed on the app.
“I pointed this out to him, and he feigned surprise. He suggested it might be due to outstanding Ola money balances. He instructed me to pay the 749 rupees and then lodge a complaint through the app,” she continued. It was at this juncture that she requested to inspect the driver’s phone herself. “I observed that the Ola app was still active in the background (you know, the small circular logo on the side of the screen). I verified that the amount shown was inaccurate and that he was presenting me with a random screenshot,” she elucidated. “Without saying a word, I tapped the logo, and the app opened. I noticed he hadn’t concluded the trip yet.”
Despite the driver’s attempts, the woman remained astute, discerning the situation and asserting herself. “I asked to see it again. This time, he didn’t hand over the phone but merely displayed it to me. Swiftly, I swiped the red ‘End Trip’ bar at the bottom of the app and remarked, ‘This is how we end it, right, sir?'”
Her Reddit post quickly garnered attention from online users, who commended her swift response.
One user remarked, “Scams like these are becoming more sophisticated. It’s commendable that you didn’t fall for it and thank you for sharing your experience. I’m impressed by the driver’s ingenuity in concocting such scams.”
Another user shared, “I fell victim to a similar scam yesterday. The driver insisted his bill was 1946, whereas my Uber receipt displayed 678. I had to pay him as he created a scene, and I was accompanied by my unwell parent.”
“This scam seems to be ongoing. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and always check your screen after concluding a trip. Additionally, ensure to capture necessary screenshots or photos of the driver’s details,” advised a third user.