Some Uber passengers claim they've been ripped off by drivers forcing them to pay directly with cash or via a bank transfer.
Upper Hutt woman Lauren Mudgway told 1News getting home after a night out in Wellington used to be a stress-free affair but two Uber trips at the end of last year changed all that.
"So the guy both times took my phone and cancelled the ride from my phone on Uber and then just took me home. At the end, he was like, 'OK, so you have to pay eftpos or cash," Mudgway said.
She was charged by Uber through the app as well before eventually refunding the money.
But, for four days, Mudgway was an extra $75 out of pocket.
"It's quite difficult. You've got bills to pay and had to make sure I had petrol to go to work."
Two Wellington women have said their drivers have told them to pay direct after telling them to cancel the booking. (Source: 1News)
Wellington mum Ana Arango claimed she was also asked for direct payment while taking her daughter to school. She said the driver told her that if she didn't, he would leave them on the side of the road.
"It was her very first days of school. I didn't want to get her there any later," she said.
"So, I did, yeah. I asked him, 'OK, what's your bank?' And I transferred him the $80."
The amount was three times the figure originally quoted, Arango said.
"It felt like most of my money for a lot of things that I need for my daughter – both my two little ones – got taken away just on a 15-minute Uber ride.
"I felt kind of robbed – just didn't feel right."
Arango has made a complaint to Uber.
In a statement to 1News, an Uber spokesperson said "fraudulent activity" such as drivers seeking payment from their passengers outside the app was a "clear breach of Uber’s Community Guidelines".
"This kind of behaviour can result in driver-partners permanently losing access to the app. We encourage riders to report behaviour such as this via the help section of our app, so we can take action right away."
The industry body for taxi and rideshare providers said such demands were likely done to avoid paying Uber a commission, which some claimed was around 28% of the fare.
"The rates that Uber charge for the jobs are very, very low. For the drivers, if they're paying the obligations like ACC and IRD, really, it's quite difficult," Small Passenger Service Association executive director Warren Quirke said.
Consumer New Zealand said anyone caught up in a similar incident should record the driver's name and the time and location of the trip before filing a complaint.
"You can also take it to the Disputes Tribunal if the ride-share service is not acting reasonably and doesn't provide you with a proper refund," Consumer NZ's Sahar Lone said.
Arango warned other riders to be aware of the risks.
"I could have ended up just getting left on the side [of the road] there, having to try and find my way to get my daughter to school, so just be very cautious."
