In an age where convenience often trumps all, rideshare apps have become a staple for many Australians looking to navigate the urban sprawl with ease.

However, a recent incident has raised eyebrows and serves as a cautionary tale for those who frequently use these services.

Authorities are investigating the incident, urging the public to be aware of potential scams and to take necessary precautions when booking rides.

A Melbourne woman, Isabella, has advised Australians to stay alert for a rideshare ‘scam’ after she was billed $170 for a six-minute DiDi trip.

Isabella booked a ride for herself and three friends from Richmond to Prahan following the Weeknd's concert at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Monday night.

On Tuesday morning, she received a message from the rideshare company stating that she had been charged a $150 ‘severe mess’ cleaning fee.

A Melbourne woman cautioned others after being charged $170 for a six-minute DiDi trip, which included a $150 ‘severe mess’ cleaning fee. Credit: Tiktok / @izpop2929

‘Unfortunately, a driver's vehicle was left messy/damaged and required cleaning. Based on the supporting info provided by the driver, a $150 cleaning fee was applied to help get the driver's car clean and back on the road,’ the message stated.

The $150 severe mess fee is charged when there is a significant mess, stain, or spill. However, Isabella claimed that she and her friends had ‘done nothing’ to warrant such a charge.

‘Keep in mind, this is the biggest fee that they could have charged us,’ she said. ‘…We were sober and had no food, no drinks, nothing.’

The initial fare of $19.36, which would have been reasonable for such a short journey, skyrocketed after the fee was included.

Isabella has attempted to contact DiDi via email, phone, and social media apps like Instagram and TikTok, but has not been successful in reaching them.

‘I have tried the entire day to get this appealed, but the app is horrible. It doesn't let me choose a specific reasoning. It just has FAQs,’ she lamented.

‘I've even gone so far as to find people on LinkedIn that work for DiDi and text them.’

Isabella mentioned that her friend overheard the driver mocking them during the ride.

‘My friend speaks Hindi, and he heard him say that we were idiots and stuff in the car on the phone while he was driving,’ she claimed. ‘Please like, share, and be careful with DiDi.’

This incident has sparked a conversation among Australians about the trustworthiness of rideshare services.

Several others have come forward with similar stories, suggesting that this might not be an isolated case but a potential scam that users should be wary of.

‘I literally had the exact thing happen to me, it was the most infuriating thing! On top of the $150, they went the wrong route, too, adding $25 to our $75 trip,’ one commenter shared.

‘This is why I think all DiDi need internal cameras for our safety and theirs. Dashcams facing both ways should be mandatory,’ another wrote.

‘Dispute it with your bank. They will have to prove the damage, which they obviously can't, and it will be an easy, although frustrating, win,’ a third advised.

As of now, the rideshare company has yet to respond publicly.

As concerns about rideshare scams grow, another incident has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing issues passengers face with ride-hailing services.

A recent report involving an Uber ride has left a passenger astounded over a cleaning fee linked to a so-called backseat ‘mess’.

This alarming trend raises questions about the practices of rideshare companies and the need for greater transparency and accountability in their charging policies.

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne woman warned others after being charged $170 for a six-minute trip on the DiDi rideshare app, which included a $150 ‘severe mess’ cleaning fee.
• The woman, Isabella, and her friends insist they left no mess that would justify the hefty cleaning fee and struggled to appeal the charge through the app's limited support options.
• Customers and social media users shared similar experiences, suggesting a potential scam and calling for internal cameras in DiDi vehicles for both driver and passenger safety.
• Efforts were made to contact DiDi to comment on the incident, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines and evidence when imposing extra charges on rideshare users.

We would love to hear from you about your experiences with rideshare apps. Have you ever encountered unexpected fees? How did you resolve them? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's help each other stay informed and safe while using these modern conveniences.

 

[maximus111]

The company must have a photo or video to have sent out a billing…I mean they’d have to know in order to have an address, be it home , email or text…..wouldn’t they…If the lady is adamant that the ‘mess’ was none of her doing, couldn’t she have requested a copy of their proof that it was her party and not someone else’s. I thought that all ‘hired’ cars had to have inside cameras for the safety of both the driver and passengers……

Part of her story entailed how she has been unable to contact anyone at DiDi. She also stated she had found contact details of DiDi employees on Linkedin and tried contacting them but it seems to no avail as no-one is responding to any forms of contact she is endeavouring to make.

 

[Miss Chris]

Part of her story entailed how she has been unable to contact anyone at DiDi. She also stated she had found contact details of DiDi employees on Linkedin and tried contacting them but it seems to no avail as no-one is responding to any forms of contact she is endeavouring to make.

I know…. But if proof isn’t available and the company chooses not to provide it, or indeed acknowledge any of her correspondence then there doesn’t appear to be need for her to worry about it……I don’t know anything about DiDi, we don’t have it in Perth, but it doesn’t appear to be reputable, ignoring this lady’s correspondence is geared for making her worry, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they stoop to using collection services, in which case she should go straight to a lawyer with a record of the correspondence she has been sending them……it is an awful situation to be in I grant you

 

[Kevin. A.]

Part of her story entailed how she has been unable to contact anyone at DiDi. She also stated she had found contact details of DiDi employees on Linkedin and tried contacting them but it seems to no avail as no-one is responding to any forms of contact she is endeavouring to make.

I think that the ride share company should have CCTV footage to prove the claim before and after the pickup.