The Victorian government has ordered a review of Cabcharge's use at taxpayer-funded organizations following revelations of widespread fraudulent practices. Hospitals and other organizations have been exploited by taxi drivers using Cabcharge payment systems, overcharging vulnerable patients for taxi rides.
The Victoria n government has ordered a review of Cabcharge 's use at taxpayer-funded organizations following revelations of widespread fraudulent practices. One major hospital has condemned the behavior as “utterly disgraceful, unethical and unacceptable,” after discovering taxi drivers exploited vulnerable patients for financial gain. The hospital, Monash Health, stated they detected multiple fraudulent Cabcharge fares through their fraud detection and auditing processes.
They are recovering funds for proven fraudulent charges and implementing a new paperless system to ensure safe transportation for vulnerable patients.The investigation revealed that many taxi drivers using payment systems and products from Australia's largest taxi company, A2B, were overcharging customers, including government-funded organizations that arrange trips for the elderly, disabled, and sick. A2B owns 13cabs, Silver Service, and Cabcharge, as well as providing payment and booking services for taxis across Australia. Leaked emails show Monash Health disputed 41 fraudulent charges in December 2022, with the number expected to rise. Hospitals often provide taxi fare vouchers to vulnerable patients who rely on them for transportation after surgery or hospital stays. Instances include drivers charging $298 for an 800-meter journey and refusing receipts to blind patients, leading to overcharges for the hospital. These scams often exploit loopholes in A2B's terminal and payment systems, as well as gaming Cabcharge fare payment products used by state and federal agencies, companies, hospitals, and health and disability services. A leaked file from December 2022 reveals how several organizations, including Maroondah Hospital, Villa Maria Catholic Homes, the Peter James Centre, and Gosford RSL, were defrauded multiple times. A2B identified over 40 clients, many reliant on Cabcharge products, collectively scammed approximately 6000 times. The Ku-Ring-Gai Neighbourhood Centre, a non-profit organization supporting the elderly and disabled, discovered around 115 fraudulent charges in October 2022, leading them to audit their Cabcharge statements due to significant variations in taxi journey costs for their clients
Cabcharge Fraud Taxi Government Victoria Healthcare Vulnerable Patients
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