[silverado]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

Hi BHPians!

I was recently scammed by an auto guy in Bengaluru and this is how it all went down.
.

Thanks for sharing, you did the right thing and i hope you report this.
Next time your phone acts weird, try calling a friend for booking.

Also please dont lose hope, there are good people who drive autos as well.

We all have in life faced rogue Auto/Taxiwallas, this same trick was played with lot of people at Dadar East railway station ( It was in papers as well ).

[Visaster]

This Vodafone has been not working for the past two visit in December and January, I made from Chennai to Bangalore.
It was indeed difficult without internet. Leaving us open victims for such entitled drivers/con artists. People of all walks try to take you for granted when you don't belong there. I have had enough share of such episodes both in Chennai and Bangalore.

Presently the condition is so bad even with ola/uber taxi drivers, not many belongs to Karnataka. They don't speak or understand common language. They are usually found chatting away busy in their local language to someone on the second phone and blindly following the map, leaving you sitting ducks at their mercy.

[Venkat_Figo]

You made the right choice, if you are a working professional, you would probably earn that money in less than half a day. Nothing is more important than your life, if you feel there is a threat & you can't handle it, back off.

I urge you to keep your friend informed about your whereabouts next time, avoid auto wallahs at night. If your friend can pick you up & its not an inconvenience, no better option.

Edit - Not all auto guys are bad, there are definitely good among them too, never wrong in being cautious though.

[BloggerMathai]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

...There was another guy with him who sat in the front...

Since you have already received replies on fares and negotiating, I will comment on the "friend" in the cab aspect. Although I have never personally been in this situation, I have learned from experienced friends NEVER, EVER get into an auto or a cab if there's something sitting along with the driver. The usual excuse is "he is my friend and I'm dropping him off on the way". It could be a ruse to rob you once you get to a secluded area. I'm not a fear monger but its best to be aware of these situations.

[peterjim13]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

Hi BHPians!

I was recently scammed by an auto guy in Bengaluru and this is how it all went down.
number.

Hi Sibi, I can easily relate to this incident as I underwent the same almost back in 2006 while I was doing undergrad back in Bangalore.

Those were days when the bus from my hometown only reached till Majestic bus station, and I had to take an auto from there, as evenings around 7 PM it was quite a walk from the station to the BMTC and also my luggage were typically heavy (since I am back from home).

They did the same thing If I am not wrong the meter +20 was the argument he used, and it came to close to around 100 on the meter and plus 20 - Taverekere.

Inexperienced me, disclosed that I have a 500 and handed it over, while we were talking he asked about the balance 20, but he presented a 100 rupee note showing that's what I gave. Before much delay, I presented my other 100 since I didn't have change and he told it was torn and wanted another note. I had another 500 and luckily, I didn't hand it over and instead walked to the nearest shop which was 20 meters away to get change and disclosed him (i knew the shop keeper) about the mess. He gave me a 20 rupee note and he dealt with the Auto guy without argument.

Summary: He took me for a ride and easily grabbed 600 from me without hassles.

I walked to my room and literally burst down because 600 meant a lot of money then - even now, and parents consoled me saying that its a learning and also was relieved that they didn't do any harm to me.

Since I could speak only Malayalam and English and barely manage Hindi I struggled to converse then.

Over the next few years, the first thing I managed was to manage at least the Kannada to handle auto guys and do not show fear or anxiety. Show them that I am native.

Thanks for sharing this across, and sure that this would be great learning for rest of the people in the forum.

[bvasista]

Sad to hear this and every one of us would have encountered some sort of scam from auto drivers, especially when they easily find out that we are new to the city and cannot speak the same language. Good thing is except taking money they did not harm you.

Good that you have reported on twitter on this and have a recording of the auto meter.

Want to let you all know about an incident which happened back in 2014 for one of my distant cousins. After graduation and a job placement, he started working in a company in Bangalore. On a weekend, was supposed to travel to Hyderabad by KSRTC bus from Shantinagar bus stand. He shared his seat number, bus details to his parents along with the booked ticket. He can speak Kannada also.

At the scheduled bus departure time, his parents were unable to reach him on his mobile to confirm if he has boarded the bus or not. Then they reached the bus driver who informed them that he did not board the bus. They started panicking when they suddenly got a call from the son's mobile number and a person told, his son is at the bus stand and asked them to pick him up, closed the call. Mobile then was switched off.

After making calls to the relatives staying in Bangalore, one of them reached bus stand and found that his son was unconscious lying at the bus stand - no wallet, no bag, no mobile, except for the clothes he was wearing. Immediately was taken to a clinic and was attended by one of the doctors. He was discharged after a day's observation. Doctor told that there was some sort of powdered seductive found on his skin which could be the reason to lose consciousness and go into a deep sleep.

Cousin told that he took an metered auto to to reach bus stand. On the way, auto driver picked up 2 more persons, requested him that they are his friends and would get dropped in between. After that he does not remember anything happening to him till waking up in clinic.

Everyone, please be careful, prefer travelling in public transport (like city buses/metro trains etc) even though it takes time, plan/check your routes, options of reaching your destination, before even starting your journey to get an idea, be prepared to carry change in pockets instead of big notes and use them instead of taking out full wallet every time. Internet/mobile may not be reliable at all times.

It is not that everyone is bad but sometimes Murphy's law - "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"

Edit: Please check for Ola/Uber fare while planning stage itself for any trip for an idea of fares and then compare with the price at which the auto is asking if not using Ola/Uber. Example, I would be okay if Ola/Uber says 150 and auto asks for 200.

[DrCar]

I will share an experience where I was not able to comprehend what the driver's moto was?

This is what I faced in Chennai.
I got down from an auto and handed him 2 crisp Rs. 500 note which I had withdrawn from an ATM few hours ago. The driver suddenly handed me one note telling me that the note is slightly torn in the middle. I was confused and gave him another 500 rupees note. He again told me that the other note too is torn. In all the confusion, the driver didn't return me the previous torn notes and tried to put it slyly in his pocket thinking that I would forget about it. I realised what he was upto and started quietly taking pics of him and his auto. I told him that I know what he is upto and so and so RTO commissioner is my blood relative (Which obviously was a lie). I warned him to return all the extra notes that he took from me and that too in good condition. He got scared and kept the required torn notes with him, gave back the extra good condition notes and the other required change along with it.

I just couldn't still understand what he was upto?

Even in Mumbai I had a bad experience :
I was coming back from Bangalore and got down at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. There were few Rickshaws waiting there. I requested them to drop me off at particular location. All of them started asking for 200 rupees, 180 rupees etc. (By meter, it would hardly cost me 60 rupees). They thought I was not from Mumbai and tried to fleece me thinking that I was not aware about compulsory meter system. As soon as I told them that I am local and will complain about what is going on to the police, they disappeared immediately.

I have actually stopped trusting Autos and Taxis. I now pre-plan my journey well before venturing into new cities or towns. It is always better to get all knowledge about the various modes of public transport that one can take when visiting a new place. Always took public transport when I visited Pondicherry for the first time and trust me I was more at peace and comfortable with it. Even in foreign countries like Thailand, I followed the same and was never fleeced again.

Tip : Never trust your mobile internet connection. Always take screenshot of Google maps and note down the prominent landmarks and junctions of the place you are about to visit. If possible, try to reach the nearest bus station where all buses converge. More often than not, you will be able to catch the connecting bus for your required destination from there. Keep a record of the bus number that you need to take and write it down in a paper. Show that to a local and they will guide you to the proper bus stop.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by sibi6613

I gave him a Rs.500 note. The other guy started chatting with me. He took the note to his side and then staring at it, he told me it was a Rs.100 note and that I got confused because both are of similar sizes. I genuinely thought it was my mistake and gave him another Rs.500 note . He told me the same story this time and then I realised

I've gone through a similar experience in Mumbai in 1996 - in a taxi that I hailed from Dadar Western Railway( just outside the express train arrival platform); the notes swapped then were two hundred buck notes converted one after the other to two 10s for a measly fare of 60 bucks.

As far as Silk Board goes, negotiating a fixed fare is the way to go. Ola/Uber autos are practically Nil in that location early in the morning.

[Maverick Avi]

Scammers/tricksters are lurking everywhere these days. I have had one particular trick used thrice on me at 3 different places. Twice at metro station and once at a local merry go round at a mall. Here is what they do.

1. For a Rs 40 ticket I gave a note of Rs 500 to cashier at Delhi metro. He charges the token with amount and hands it over to me.
2. Now he picks up a Rs 50 note, Rs 10 note and 4 Rs 100 note from his cash register.
2. He then starts to loudly count the notes clearly showing me with his hands in front. He does that twice to make sure the total adds up to 460.
3. He then hands over the change to me. I have a very "bad" habit of counting my change again. So I do that in front of him and surprisingly find that there is a missing Rs 100 note. I count again to make sure I am not mistaken as I saw the guy count the notes in front of me. I count again and indeed there is one Rs 100 note missing!!!
4. I tell the guy that one note is missing. He does act surprised and asks me to hand over the amount. He checks again and gives a cheeky smile. He then adds another 100 Rs note along with rest of the change and hands it over to me. Its clear that while handing over the amount to me they drop one Rs 100 note and hand over rest of the amount.

This happened with me at another metro station so seems this is kind of a known tactic some of those cashiers apply. Most of the folks would not count the money specially when the cashiers show the elaborate counting in front of us. Once the change is inside the wallet its hard to figure out later that this is where the money was lost. All we feel is loss of some cash somewhere. Thankfully the loss here is minimal and no threat to life!!

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by vigsom

I've gone through a similar experience in Mumbai in 1996 - in a taxi that I hailed from Dadar Western Railway( just outside the express train arrival platform); the notes swapped then were two hundred buck notes converted one after the other to two 10s for a measly fare of 60 bucks.

I too was tricked by a Dadar taxi fellow circa 2007. Like in OP's case, there was an accomplice with the driver. On reaching the destination, after I had unloading the luggage and was about to pay, they asked me to sit inside and pay, giving some excuse like I was the first passenger for the day and it is "shagun" or something. Once inside, they handed back the cash saying the note is fake and did that a couple of times. I knew something was amiss but didn't have proof and was confused.

[G-One]

[quote=sibi6613;4764659]Hi BHPians!

Hi Sibi6613, What an ordeal, anyway thank god that you are safe.
but do take some time and read the below, there are multiple options in which you can register a complaint with bangalore police

Multiple mediums for making complaints

The Bangalore Traffic Police has instituted a number of methods in which complaints can be made against errant auto drivers who overcharge or refuse hire.

24 x 7 Helpline: The numbers than can be called are 080-22868444 and 080-22868550. Do note down the vehicle registration number, so that a complaint can be registered.

SMS: Alternately, an SMS can be sent in the following formats, to 52225 for Airtel customers and to 9663952225 for non-Airtel customers.

For refusing hire: AUTO<space>REF<space>Registration number<space>Location(from and to)<space>Time. Eg: AUTO REF KA01XY1234 Koramangala to Ulsoor 4:30pm
For overcharging: AUTO<space>OVC<space>Registration number<space>Location(from and to)<space>Time. Eg: AUTO OVC KA01XY1234 Koramangala to Ulsoor 4:30pm
Email: Yet another means of filing the complaint is to send a mail to tmcbtp@gmail.com with reason for complaint, auto registration number, location details and date and time.

Website: One can also file a complaint directly on the complaints page on the BTP website. Ensure that you share reason for complaint, auto registration number, location details and date and time.

BTP App: Install the BTP App on your smart phone and register a complaint through the app.

Gowtham T, a police constable with the BTP, who picked up the phone when we tried the helpline says, “Passengers will have to note down the vehicle registration number, else we will not be able to file a complaint. As of now, we are tracking down complaints regarding refusal to hire and overcharging only.”

What happens once the complaint is made?



Pic: bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in

Once the Traffic Management Center receives the complaint, the complaint is registered and BTP can access it on their Blackberries. Gowtham clarifies, “Once we receive a complaint, we register it. A notice is generated and sent to the owner of the auto rickshaw, who is fined Rs 100. The subsequent time the auto driver is pulled up or looks up the fines against his vehicle, he will know that he has been fined for committing an offense.” He adds, “Once we have registered a complaint, we call the person who has made the complaint and inform them of the same as well.”

While it certainly make sense for passengers to note down the drivers name and driving license number, Gowtham T did mention that BTP would not be able to register the complaint, unless the vehicle registration number had been noted down. So do ensure that you share all the details requested – nature of complaint (refusal/overcharging), vehicle registration number, location and time – to ensure that your complaint is registered.

[gadadhar]

I hope you hear back on your tweet soon. I have tweeted once to Bangalore Traffic police , though I never got a reply or acknowledgment, the issue was addressed promptly in next few days

[Zinda]

Wish you come out of this soon! I am of a firm opinion that 3 wheelers must be COMPLETELY banned for 2 reasons -

1. Three wheelers itself - in an era of ABS, Seatbelts and other safety measures, these Jugaads are nothing more than nuisance on Roads. Highly unsafe and uncomfortable
2. Their drivers - Most of these are wannabe Goons at their "Intern" stage! They ride with Rage and are in a mood to Murder the moment you pinpoint their Driving style or unusual fare.

You got to see their unity in Bangalore - in all important areas they have created their "adda" sort of, and dare you argue with any one of them. While my usual commute near Sakra Hospital, I have seen them beating up a biker for a minor arguement.

I understand their last mile connectivity angle - but still Autos must be banned.

[Maverick Avi]

I understand their last mile connectivity angle - but still Autos must be banned.

Easier said than done. In a democracy such as India where these auto/rickshaw drivers are a big vote bank it would not be easy to ban them all together. Secondly, these wannabe goons are better off with a source of income. Just imagine what would they resort to if left without any income.

[abhi7013]

Forget knowing the local language, even if you do, it would be of no help. Am born and brought up in Bangalore and none of us have ever approached an auto directly even before the days of Uber and Ola. The reason is simple: these morons were cunning then and are even more cunning now.

I usually redeem my credit card points against Uber coupons and use them when either the bike or the car are given for service. And that means the amount reflected on the driver's mobile is 0.0! Unfortunately the uber autos sometimes fail in understanding what a gift voucher is and say 'i have done something' and they are being cheated. On two occasions, i had to patiently wait while the driver was trying to speak to an Uber executive. Even after that they just mumble something and rate the customer as a 1 star!

Meter tampering has been going on since ages and i assumed it had declined considerably after the new models came into market. Best way is to avoid hailing autos that look old as these will have the older mechanism and try looking for the new green ones!