Monzo has reimbursed UK tourists who fell victim to a sophisticated taxi scam in Paris, where drivers used hidden card readers to overcharge passengers by thousands of pounds. The digital bank confirmed it has processed chargebacks for affected customers after the scam was widely reported.
How the scam worked
According to victims, taxi drivers in Paris would accept contactless payments but then secretly use a portable card reader to charge much larger amounts—sometimes €5,000 or more—after the passenger had left the vehicle. The scam targeted tourists arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport and other popular locations.
One victim, a British tourist named Sarah, told the BBC she was charged €4,800 for a €50 journey. “I didn’t notice until I checked my Monzo app later that evening. My heart sank,” she said.
Monzo’s response
Monzo said it has refunded all customers who reported the scam and urged others to check their transactions. “We have processed chargebacks for every customer affected by this Paris taxi scam,” a Monzo spokesperson said. “We advise anyone who suspects they have been overcharged to contact us immediately.”
The bank also reminded customers to use the transaction dispute feature in its app, which allows users to flag suspicious payments quickly.
Wider impact and advice
Consumer group Which? said the scam highlights the risks of contactless payments abroad. “Tourists should always check the amount before tapping, and consider using a credit card for larger transactions, as these offer stronger protection,” a Which? representative said.
Monzo’s swift action contrasts with some traditional banks, which can take weeks to process chargebacks. The bank said it has also alerted French authorities to the scam.
