On Thursday, a Redditor performed a public service by posting images of what appear to be fake cab roaming the streets of NYC. “No NYC taxi info or 311 info. The credit card machine was turned off,” the user wrote, noting that the cab labeled #0852 had no license information and no medallion, but did have two credit card machines — “One to process a real charge and the other to steal the number.”
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has confirmed to ANIMAL via email that cab #0852 is indeed fake. “I can confirm that this is not a TLC licensed yellow taxi,” wrote Greg Gordon, a Public Affairs Officer for TLC. “The penalty for unlicensed operation in NYC is vehicle seizure and a minimum fine, upon conviction, of at least $1,000.”
Gordon also noted that this particular car has “has actually been seized twice before by the TLC – once in 2006 and once in 2007.”
So, even if this cab is willing to take you to Brooklyn, beware! If you pay with a credit card, you could be getting scammed.
(Photos: nyccabscam)
