13 Sep 2024
Previous scams regarding illegal taxi services from Santiago Airport have been reported. We booked a transfer from the airport to our hotel via a reputable on line website. We arrived at the designated location but no driver with a sign. Tried telephoning and messaging the driver but no response. A person with what a pop eared to have official I.d. Carrying a radio said he would assist in finding the driver. This person was able to speak to the driver and handed me their mobile phone. The driver said his vehicle was broken and it would take 2 hours to collect us. Thus is where the illegal taxi scam started . Thee Ed official had an employee take us to a car to transport us. I kept asking the cost but the answer was avoided. In the car this person also got into the passenger seat. Asked why he was travelling with us but he avoided the question. He then asked for my credit card. I said I was only paying cash. There was much shouting and telephone called to his boss. Agree at the airport we would have the hotel pay by their credit card. At the hotel I immediately took my luggage from the car and hit the manager involved. A cash payment was made with little arguments from the illegal scammers. Only use reputable online or counter service in the airport for booking a demand a price in advance. No doubt had we handed over our credit card it would have skimmed.