Taxi drivers warned of cyclist scam demanding money over false phone use claims after video emerges
- Perry Richardson
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Taxi drivers are being warned of a scam where cyclists are falsely accusing cabbies of mobile phone offences, then demanding cash to drop the matter.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) issued a clear statement after footage emerged of a cyclist targeting a black cab driver in central London. In the clip, the cyclist approaches the taxi and accuses the driver of using a mobile phone while driving.
The cabbie calmly responds, saying he is completing a card payment and not breaking the law. The device is clearly mounted in a cradle and not in the driver’s hand.
Despite this, the cyclist continues to press the issue, asking the driver: “So, how do we come to a solution, a conclusion? So, shall I just take you to court? So, just give me a tenner and I’ll just let you be.”
The cyclist offers to delete the video in front of the driver if he pays up, attempting to pressure the cabbie into settling to avoid the hassle of licensing issues or police involvement.
Responding to the video on social media, an LTDA spokesperson said: “This is yet another scam! The law permits touching a phone screen whilst the phone is in a fixed cradle in exactly the same way it is lawful to touch a fixed screen in a TXE or any other modern car! Tell the scammers to go forth and multiply!”
The scam appears designed to exploit professional drivers’ fear of complaints being raised with Transport for London (TfL) or licensing bodies, even when no offence has been committed.
Taxi drivers are being urged to remain calm and avoid engaging with such scammers. They are advised to keep dashcam footage and report any incidents to both the police and their representative body.
