This scam is used on passengers that make payments with cards instead of cash, how the scam works:
The card reader is connected to the driver's phone via Bluetooth, the driver changes the payment amount through his phone, the passenger is not aware of the change. A ride of a few euros can turn into thousands.

Payment with cash is the only way to avoid this scam.

Most frequent with taxis at Lisbon airport, Cais do Sodré train station, Pink street, but it's likely to spread everywhere else.

The news report is in Portuguese
https://executivedigest.sapo.pt/de-15-para-1-360-euros-gang-dos-taxistas-usa-novas-tecnologias-em-burlas-que-deixam-contas-bancarias-limpas/


Other scams involve:
Non working meter, don't use a taxi with a non working meter - it's definitely a scam.

Taxi drivers offering their services inside the airport, don't use them - legitimate drivers are at their taxis at the official taxi stand.

I use taxis frequently in Portugal, this what I do:
Only use taxis from the official taxi stand or phone the legitimate taxi dispatch.

Ask for an estimate before departure, if driver can't provide estimate I don't use them ( estimates have been accurate within 10 euros - I make allowances for heavy traffic, road closures, accidents,etc).

Meter must be working, it isn't I don't ride and choose a different taxi.

Only make cash payments to avoid the card fraud.


I'm also aware that some taxi charges are extra and are legitimate, day / night charge, day of week / weekend, luggage charges, toll booths, etc.

Bolt or Uber avoid some of these issues but they have surge pricing ( legitimate charge) and there some reports of some drivers asking for additional payment at the end of the trip - due to extra traffic, etc.

Older report regarding issues with Bolt, in Portuguese
https://portaldaqueixa.com/brands/bolt/complaints/bolt-burla-bolt-103968123

Another reason to use Bolt or Uber

Thanks, aulop!

I'm posting a further clarification since I posted on another travel forum and there was some misunderstanding as to how the scam works.

I will try to translate and summarize the news report to try to clarifying how the scam works.:

The price displayed on the meter was 15 euros, as the passenger made the payment with the card the driver altered the amount to 1360 euro via Bluetooth using his phone that is pre-set and pre-connected to the payment terminal, this made it impossible for the passenger to know that the amount was altered.

The passenger thought they were paying 15 euros because they never see the altered amount, the amount on the meter remains 15 euros but the amount charged on the payment terminal was altered to 1360.

The scam works using third party payment terminals that have the capability to be connected to the driver's phone which they use to commit the scam.

another reason not to use taxis .

I spent sometime trying to emulate that activity on a "square" (connects via the mobile phone to the network) and it is pretty difficult and no success as yet. If it works that way then taxis, restaurants, shops etc can all do it.

I would recommend insist on a receipt/photo of the screen used and put it on a credit card to get their insurance on the deal.

Thanks for sharing. V. useful as wea re planning on a long weekend in Lisbon early next year.

Never heard of this particular scam but tend to avoid "normal" taxis in favor of Uber or similar. I really use physical cards these days and mainly use the cards loaded to my Apple wallet. That would be a way of if not preventing the scam, the being advised of the fraudulent charge immediately as any payments shows up on the phone app immediately (NB for some cards you need to actively set up this notification

This is a frowing scam in Europe and is linked to suppliers who move, door provided services, market retail and taxis. The first step to watch out for is, the limit. Having to put the PIN in tells you that they just had access to large sums of money. Usual excuse.... the company tells me to take PIN, your card has a problem etc makes using a PIN seem normal. Stop at this point.

Using a card and the tap function works well, espcially if it links to an app on your phone. So Revolut tells immediately how much money has been taken from your card.

Other Wallets on phone might help

Bilboburgler
You're right that this scam could spread to any business that uses card payments hopefully legitimate businesses won't allow this to happen.

The news report also suggests that this scam is part of organized crime activity.

According to the report the third party payment terminals used in this scam are available for sale to the public.

Out of curiosity I looked it up on the largest electronics store in Portugal and it is available for sale to the public.
Surprising that it's so simple for any unscrupulous individual to set up such a scam.

Another suggestion to deal with this type of scam is to use a preloaded card such aa Visa or MasterCard gift card and only preload a small amount ( perhaps 100 euros) but I don't know if such a card purchased outside of Portugal will work in Portugal.

Montepio Bank in Portugal has a prepaid card ( maximum 150 euros) it's available to non customers of the bank.

these payment terminals have been available all over for years, I think my local hobby club got one 4 years ago.

Sad. Who would have thought in Portugal. I guess the scams in New York have gone international. This is common in Boston. Really upset it’s now in Europe.

I was a victim of this scam in Lisbon .We took a taxi from the Oriente bus station to our BnB, It should been a 10-13 euro charge; I was notified by my credit union it was charged as 1400 euros. I reported it as fraud. Credit union is refusing to credit my account, stating that the card was in my possession and the chip/pin was read. The charge was processed by Euro Net. How have others resolved this with their banks/credit card carriers?