If you are someone who frequently uses online bike, autorickshaw or car rental services, you must be aware of the online bike scams plaguing different such platforms.
While there are allegations that some drivers play tricks on commuters and dupe them of money, it's important to know how to protect yourself from these scams.
How the scam works:
The scam typically works like this: after you book a bike ride, the driver will call you and ask about the price and your destination.
Once you give him the price, he will ask you to wait where you are and tell you that he will come to you.
However, in many cases, the driver will ask you to cancel the ride and pay him directly, either by cash or through his QR code.
Why you should be careful:
This scam can be particularly risky for women, who may be targeted by scammers.
If you cancel the ride and pay the driver directly, you may be putting yourself in danger. Also, if you cancel the ride too many times, your account may get blocked, which can be a major inconvenience.
What you can do to protect yourself:
To protect yourself from this scam, never cancel a ride once you have booked it.
No matter what the driver says, always insist that he drops you at your destination as booked.
If the driver insists that you cancel the ride and pay him directly, refuse to do so and report him to the platform's customer service.
It's also a good idea to only use trusted platforms that have a good reputation and strict policies to prevent scams.