Pat Shacklady, a resident of Midland, Ontario, was left stunned when she discovered she had been billed almost $7,000 for a short taxi ride during the initial phase of her journey to Antarctica. Shacklady recounted her experience to CTV News Toronto, explaining that the incident occurred during a layover in Santiago, Chile.
According to Shacklady, she and a friend had arranged for a pre-booked taxi to collect them from Santiago Airport. However, upon arrival, they were informed that their designated driver had been involved in an accident and were redirected to another taxi company. Despite offering to pay in cash, Shacklady stated that they were required to settle the fare using a credit card, resulting in a receipt for $45,000 Chilean pesos, equivalent to around $62 CAD.
Upon returning home, Shacklady was shocked to discover a charge of $6,943 on her credit card statement. Despite initially facing resistance from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) regarding her claim for reimbursement, Shacklady’s persistence ultimately paid off. Following CTV News’ intervention, BMO confirmed that the disputed amount would be refunded to Shacklady’s card.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the prevalence of taxi scams in certain regions and the importance of vigilance while traveling. The Government of Canada advises travelers to exercise caution, particularly near airports, and recommends using designated taxis with meters. Additionally, regularly monitoring credit card activity and statements is advised to detect and address any unauthorized charges promptly.