Cancun Authorities Warn Tourists Of New Fake Uber Scam That Could Put Them In Danger

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Last Updated 56 minutes in the past

It appears Cancun’s unending battle on scammers is intensifying as soon as extra after experiences of faux Uber drivers concentrating on vacationers in central areas began circulating. Now, authorities are urging them to be cautious when reserving rides by the favored app, as they may very well be extorted, and even put their lives in critical hazard.

This yr, Cancun has taken further steps to make sure guests really feel protected and luxuriate in a stress-free trip within the metropolis, deploying extra police models to seashore hotspots and growing surveillance within the Hotel Zone, all of the whereas beneath the scrutiny of the mass media and the U.S. Government. Naturally, when precise safety considerations do come up, tourism officers react swiftly.

For now, you might wish to rethink utilizing rideshare functions in Cancun, the place taxi scams have gotten increasingly common:

Scammers In Cancun Are Hacking Into The Uber Platform For Personal Gain

Following a number of experiences on-line, together with numerous TikTok movies the place vacationers declare to have fallen sufferer to scammers, the President of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies confirmed those that use Uber in Mexico ‘could be in danger’, as the service stays poorly regulated throughout the nation, and criminals have been recognized to function within the subject.

Mr. Eduardo Paniagua said ‘personal safety’ is endangered, bearing in mind Uber’s restricted attain within the Mexican Caribbean, attributed to the continuing resistance of the regional taxi monopoly, has paved the way in which for scammers to current themselves as drivers, particularly in latest months, when fares in Cancun and Tulum started spiraling uncontrolled.

At current, numerous taxis are intentionally overcharging vacationers or working on inflated fares higher than Manhattan‘s, thus influencing tourists to seek other cheaper alternatives for moving around the zone. Ironically, they are resorting to unlicensed Ubers and putting themselves in danger as a result of the local taxis’ personal corrupt practices.

Is Lack Of Competition To Blame For The Phenomenon?

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In the phrases of Travel Noire, the battle between taxi unions, whose members wish to stave off the competitors in any respect prices, and budget-friendly rideshare apps have led ‘hackers’ to clone Uber accounts for illicit functions. Cancun’s seashores could be the most secure (and cleanest) they’ve ever been, however highway security is a completely different matter altogether.

Essentially, the aforementioned hackers are cracking into the WhatsApp account of licensed drivers and accessing the Uber database to prey on naive passengers. Travel Noire notes that, except a buyer acts fastidiously, they may very well be getting into an ‘unknown vehicle’ pushed by somebody who has not been inspected nor authorised by Uber.

Interestingly, the Government is but to stipulate a technique to fight scammers, in stark distinction with its earlier, well-documented, and efficient actions to quash crime in vacationer spots, after numerous gang-related shootings took the headlines by storm earlier this yr.

Comparatively, the shortage of competitors on the transportation entrance, and its subsequent results, are but to be addressed.

Americans Must Avoid Using Ridesharing Apps In Cancun

Customers are being urged to cancel an Uber experience instantly after realizing it may very well be a rip-off and reporting any dodgy accounts to the related authorities. Booking Ubers, usually, is now strongly discouraged, however in case they resolve to take their possibilities, American vacationers should watch out for some pink flags and preserve a excessive stage of situational consciousness.

A easy technique to spot a faux Uber driver is to concentrate to pointless questioning. Drivers don’t must ‘verify’ any of your private particulars aside from maybe confirming your identify, and to an extent, it’s best to by no means share your individual bank card particulars or different delicate info both in particular person or on-line chats.

Additionally, checking the automotive plate and that the automotive matches the outline on the reserving is, after all, suggested. Until the state of Quintana Roo cracks down each on ill-intended drivers, and the loopholes left open amid the fierce opposition of taxi unions to exterior competitors, it’s finest when you follow hiring personal drivers or reserving transportation upfront.

That is especially true arriving at Cancun Airport, the place vacationers should stroll by the infamous shark tank, or ‘gauntlet’, an arrival corridor lined with yelling drivers who will do something to seize your consideration, together with standing in your approach and snapping their fingers.

The finest technique to keep away from feeling overwhelmed by this and brought benefit of is, once more, to organize transportation beforehand. Currently, on account of resisting taxi drivers who rely closely on the ‘shark tank corridor’, there’s no Uber service leaving from Cancun Airport.

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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com