Taxi drivers 'skimming credit cards'

Six people have appeared in court charged in connection with a credit card fraud operation, it has been revealed.Among those to have been arrested is Tony Hancock from the Strathfield area of Sydney who is facing 20 charges including conspiracy to cheat a

Taxi customers looking to use their credit card to pay for their fare should do with caution, it has been claimed.

An article in the Age reveals an increase in the number of taxi drivers defrauding their passengers either by using a credit skimming devices or by charging manual credit card transactions.

"If you are going to hand your credit card to the driver, watch what he is doing," Detective Sergeant Jim Macdonald, of Melbourne police's crime scene desk, states.

He goes on to claim that those who feel they have been a victim of such credit card crime should either report this to the police or the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

Indeed, a spokesperson for the director reveals that there have so far been 99 complaints of credit card fare overcharging or fraud so far this year, although she acknowledges that not all of these claims may be substantiated.

Last month, borrowers were urged to never let their credit card out of their sight while shopping and to be careful when using an ATM to withdraw cash.

Written by Kate Guthrie