The past couple times I’ve taken a yellow cab from JFK, when I arrive at my destination the driver wants me to tap my card on his phone rather than use the in-car POS card reader. Both times the driver has said that the card reader is “frozen” or “broken.” And each time I’ve refused to tap my card on his phone. The first guy I paid cash but the second time I said fuck it - either I pay using the card reader or you get nothing. I ended up not paying after he started cussing me out.
This feels like a scam. I’m not tapping my card on some dudes phone. What’s going on here? I’m assuming it’s an off-the-books ride and the driver is trying to avoid fees, etc. How can I avoid this bs in the future?
Update:seems like this is a known scam - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR2LsfMlPeR/?l=1
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it's a scam
take a picture of him, his taxi license, when you get out his car license
then report him
the taxi association takes a very dim view of scammy drivers
And I’d refuse to pay.
it's a good idea to always take a picture of their license and such when you get in
Could be potential card fraud, could be scamming the medallion owner as some cabs still do run on a percentage / commission basis to the owner.
Also could be scamming business partners out of joint revenue towards a flat rate leased medallion, as this scenario would be less likely to be monitored closely by GPS like in a commission based arrangement.
The only way to avoid is next time have to try and remember to bring it up at the start of the trip, ask if the card reader is working and tell them last trip from JFK you had to call 311 to report card fraud, this should stop them from trying, especially if it is some new scam involving card fraud.
Be aware! Same happened to me last month at jfk (official taxi lane) - driver didn’t accept cash and I ended up paying at „his phone“ - afterwards he somehow changed the amount from 90 to 160 I’ve seen a day later… I’ve contacted NYC311 about this incident (luckily I photographed his taxi no bc I’ve had a bad feeling from the beginning). Stay safe guys :-)
Why wouldn't he accept cash??? If a driver told me they didn't accept cash, I'd shrug my shoulders and leave it on the seat. I've paid, now I"m leaving
Yup, in this case I was in a hurry and just tapped the card
The new scam seems to be all sorts of smaller businesses changing the amount later on. Cab driver, hot dog carts and shady bodegas etc.
Just next time tell them, “Since its off the books you’re charging me 20 less.” I did that once and car reader all of a sudden worked
This is what I’ve done - if they refuse I start calling 311 as I get out of the car.
That’s another option as well I haven’t thought about
This has happened to me and my husband on separate occasions. Official taxi line at LGA, I didn't notice the meter wasn't on for some time until I couldn't pair the Curb app. He wanted me to (over)pay by tapping on his phone - I negotiated down a little bit and didn't tip which he was angrily vocal about, but I needed to get my luggage out of the back so I didn't take more of a stand than that! If I had realized earlier I would have taken a picture of his license to report, but as it was I was very uneasy and on the spot.
Damn that's crazy. I always pair my phone using Curb or Arro (depending on which one the taxi uses) and never have a problem. I recommend this moving forward. The app also tracks the trip as well so it will be easy to see if something nefarious is going on.
It's crazy to me how taxi drivers get mad at Uber and Lyft stealing their business but then pull shit like this. But this is why using Curb/Arro helps IMO. You pay via the app and they cant change anything.
I second this! Much less opportunity for sketchy s**t
Report it to TLC if it is a yellow cab
you can report any taxi to TLC. not just yellow cabs
of all the enforcement type agencies in the entirety of NYC, TLC has got to be the only one who enforce consistently and actually have teeth
I've always wondered why they're so tough, of all the agencies out there.
The only agency where I've been hounded by them to follow up with them. It's insane, in a good way.
This happened to me with an official yellow taxi. I tapped to pay and he took it away from me, then I later realized he’d tipped himself over 50%. I luckily was able to dispute the overcharge but it was really scummy behavior.
You can also pay via the Curb app, there’s a code on every taxi it’s integrated with their POS.
Actually question to folks who know — I believe Curb is universal to all yellow (nyc medallion) cabs. Is that right?
Either Curb or Arro. I only realized recently some cabs use Arro instead of Curb. But still integrated in the same way where there is a code on screen and you pair.
I believe the way they get around this is if the car’s PoS system is off, it won’t pair with the curb app, so it’s not an option.
Beware using CURB. I've taken a yellow cab to Harlem and watched the driver keep the meter running after dropping me off until he was back in zone to turn his light back on.
Why did you get out of the car if the payment wasn't processed yet? I never get out until the payment goes through. Honestly the driver usually doesn't even unlock the door until it gives the message that the payment went through. Hearing this is new to me.
You can pair your phone to the curb app and have an automatic tip set in your profile. I (incorrectly) assumed the app would track my phone and the car. It only tracks the car. And it's pretty rare I take a yellow cab far enough uptown to take them out of their pickup zone.
This only happened once. I just pay with my card at the end of every ride now. And now I'm sharing this knowledge so others don't have to experience the same issue to learn that lesson.
Yeah that's crazy
Folks, don't do the "I have 20 excuses why I can't pay via your scam" thing. It's against the law to operate the vehicle when the meter does not work; Just say, "I am a not an idiot. If you want to get paid, fix the meter." And record, record, record.
Did you get the cab from the official cab line?
The one time this happened to me I did not get a proper cab. What i did was pretend I only had cash and he was either going to take whatever I had or get nothing. He took the cash
Yep. From official tax line with many people waiting in it.
They are in the official cab lane all the time, it’s gotten bad
Usually they start by asking if you want a flat rate when you first get in the cab. If they ask you that just get right out again before they start driving
Or you say "yes" and negotiate a price that would be lower than the meter, and pay in cash
Then they double it and lock your luggage in the back. Not worth it.
If you travel with a duffel or a small enough carry on, keep it in he seat. If not, def just get out or just dial 911 tbh. They wanna take it that far, let's do it.
JFK to the city is flat rate but still running/reflected on the meter.
Take a picture of their hack license and the medallion. Report them to the TLC. They will investigate and take this very serious.
And yes, it is a scam to over charge you. Or some don’t run the meter and force you to pay cash in high amount. Or some drive the long way to run up the meter. Tough economy is making some hack drivers do some illegal things.
All of this is nothing new. I have been taking cabs here since the 1970s. Good times, bad times there are bad apples about. Do not pay anything you think is wrong. If the driver gets threatening or refuses to let you leave the can call 911.
Adding here - for females alone, I have had instances where they’ve started to get aggressive before I leave.
I always make sure to NEVER put things in the trunk, and have one foot out the door/door open before mentioning anything that could be confrontational. Typically I blame it for being in a hurry.
lol no one is taking this serious unfortunately. the yellow cabs are all a joke now.
Make a note/photograph of the vehicle license and driver's license which are displayed on the back of the passenger seat.
At the airport get a Yellow cab from the terminal dispatcher line ONLY Taxi, Car, and Van Service - JFK - John F. Kennedy International Airport
Note the meter should always be turned ON - there is a special rate code for the fixed rate ride between JFK and Manhattan. IF the driver doesn't turn it on that is a big red flag. Additional costs - tolls and congestion fees - will be added to the meter.
You can file a complaint with the Taxi and Limousine Commission here: File a Complaint - TLC (For out of towners, follow up on a complaint can be done over the internet via Zoom, etc.)
By law, car services (AKA for hire vehicles or black cars including the app services such as Uber and Lyft) MUST be arranged by the passengers. No street hails allowed. Your Ride - TLC There are lots of dodgy car services. Long established car services include Dial 7 or Carmel Limo.
Wow, used to recommend cabs from airports. Guess it's Lyft and uber from now on.
Incredible how they are just poisoning their own well.
Since Uber, I have not taken a yellow cab from any NYC/NJ airport in 10+ years. From LGA, you can take the Uber Shuttle and from JFK, take the LIRR train via the JFK AirTrain Jamaica Station to Penn Station or Grand Central Station in 30 minutes. Taking a yellow cab from JFK, is the worst and most expensive option.
With surge pricing, Uber is much more expensive than a yellow cab and too bad the LIRR and Uber Shuttle don’t go to my area of Brooklyn.
Well, from Grand Central or LIRR, you can take the yellow cab, which will save time & money going to Brooklyn. I avoid getting mired in the nightmarish Van Wyck traffic and entanglement with the scams in a yellow cab where possible. However, we must all do what is best for us.
this happened to me too coming home from JFK in a yellow cab. The amount on his phone screen was correct, but there was no option to tip. I looked at my statement a couple days later, and he added a hefty $28 tip without my knowledge or consent. I got the money back from my CC and reported the taxi driver to 311.
Feels like cab drivers are getting more and more shady at the time they are dealing with the highest competition. Makes no sense.
Flagged down one the other day to go home from Penn Station. Guy quoted $40 to go to East Village. I said na man run the meter. He refused service and told me to get out. Reported him on the spot.
Just call Carmel Car Service, No hassles it can be done all online or from a JFK dispatch phone.
I don't know if this helps but you can take the airtrain to the LIRR at the Jamaica station...
I had a weird one recently where a yellow cab driver from JFK stopped the meter about ten minutes short of my destination in Brooklyn. I thought maybe it was a way to angle for extra tip but he never said anything about that and I tipped him the usual 20% that my company allows. Otherwise totally unremarkable ride.
A scam for sure
Report the driver.
Yup happened to me, I have a pending case with the TLC although my credit card company sided with the cab which sucks
Damn. Sorry to hear that. Another reason to not tap your card with these alternative payment systems.
100%
Yeah that's a regular thing. These scammers are dumb. Report them to 311. Even if they end up putting up the card machine at the end.
The thing is, they try to charge $90+ on a flat fare. So once they do that I'm like either this ride is free or you give me a $20 discount. Win-win they get tax free pay, I get a discount, but nah...They rather lie and overcharge and have that be tax free? These guys don't think. I paid one dude after I told him give me the flat fare just to get the receipt but, really I should've just walked out because I already had the information I needed from the plaques in the car.
They think you're dumb and are actually trying to rob you. Feel no guilt in reporting them. They felt non trying to rob you or anyone else.
My question was actually gonna be:
What’s the deal with the people trying to draw people out of the official yellow taxi line saying “taxi” but driving black cars? The taxi line was long and cold last night so I almost considered it.
What are they? They clearly aren’t uber or yellow cab. Why are they allowed there?
They're scammers generally preying on people who don't know better. They'll take you somewhere and then charge you something crazy and hope you'll just pay it cuz you're a tourist or too scared to argue with an angry cabbie.
As for why... nobody wants to deal with enforcement lol.
needs to be criminal penalties for this -- nothing else deters these crooks . . .
Next time use the curb app to pair with the cab when you get in. If they say they don't have it get out and get a new cab. It's the standard.
Happened to me in November.
Official taxi line. Dispatcher put me in this yellow cab. I started noticing mid ride he didn’t turn on the meter. His ID was flipped so you couldn’t see his ID. And he wanted to charge me way more than the usual cost and tap his phone.
I argued with him that I’m not a tourist and he will get in trouble and I need to see the meter price now and I am only paying that. I did it to get my suitcase out the trunk.
I should have take a photo of his car’s license plate.
I reported to 311. TLC never called to follow up. What a joke. I wish I could report to JFK or whoever is the dispatcher too.
Yellow cab drivers seem to get more and more boldfaced these days. In the past, telling a driver trying to pull some shady crap that I’m not a tourist and know what you’re doing is illegal always worked for them to correct their behavior. But not anymore. The last one who realized I wasn’t falling for his crap insisted that I leave his cab - in the middle of the night.
I took medallion number and details and reported him to the TLC and also thought they didn’t act, but it just took some time. Several months later I learned the driver pleaded guilty and had to pay a heavy fine. So you may hear from them still. Also, if things aren’t moving you can follow up and request to know if/when a hearing on the case is scheduled and indicate that you want to give a statement.
If someone asks you if you want a ride, need a cab, etc, the answer is always no. Just stand in the line. It moves pretty fast.
This was a yellow taxi cab from the official taxi line. I don’t take black cars from the airport.
Oh. Yikes.
Yeah it’s weird. I’ve lived here for almost 20 years and have only started seeing this scam in the past 2 months. And it’s always from JFK - never from LGA.
That's because JFK has a fixed fare into Manhattan ($70 base) whereas LGA does not.
I've always wondered what they'd do if you just didn't pay them
Offer to cal NYPD to “sort this out” and I bet the meter suddenly starts working.
Better yet, just say “I live here!” They won’t bother you anymore
I give them a “Do I look like a fuckin tourist?!” and then hang around a minute to save the next person they ask
I’m gonna get my ass kicked
Doin gods work ngl
Most likely he's going to charge you the correct amount, but by using the card reader on this phone he gets the pocket the money instead of it going to the cab company who owns it. So it's probably not scamming you but scamming the owner of the car
Yeah makes sense. But I’d rather not scan my card on these drivers’ personal phones. I shouldn’t have to take the risk of exposing my credit card information to someone or some company that I don’t want to just because they want to pull one over on the cab owner.
If you use Apple Pay or Google Pay to tap, it doesn’t reveal your actual CC info.
But you shouldn’t be paying via tap to phone. Good to know for me so when I take the taxi from JFK!
It’s only a “scam” on their boss. When you pay cash at a bar and the bartender pockets the entire thing and gives you your drink, are you being “scammed”? Why are you so concerned with the taxi driver and the cab company splitting your money in the way that the cab company decided? Y’all are a bunch of narc-y Karens
Others here are saying they’ve been charged more than the fare when this happens. And encouraging this scammy behavior isn’t good for people from out of town that don’t know what’s up. It’s a bad look.
I'm sure the driver who's trying to put his kid through school doesn't care if it's a "bad look" or not. I guess I'm just old but back when you had to pay cash for rides bargaining with a cab driver was a New York skill. That's fine if people new to town don't have it and times have changed, but yelling "I'm telling the TLC on you!!!" and jumping out of the cab and not paying the fare is being a narc-y Karen IMO. Just calmly negotiate a price or say you're going to try the regular machine to see if it's working. It's not like they just drove you to Red Hook and took your luggage and said they're not giving it back till you go take money out of the ATM
Nah I’m good fam. I’m not playing games with these scumbags.