Cheats use GPS jammers to steal fares

Rogue Melbourne taxi drivers have been caught using GPS jammers to queue-jump and steal fares.  As a result dozens of Melbourne cabbies suspected of using the jammers have been reprimanded or have been given their marching orders by one taxi booking network.

The contraband jammers can disguise the location of taxis by disrupting satellite navigation system signals and drivers have been caught using them in order to fool cab companies into giving them jobs even though they are not in the area. As a result Communications Authorities have warned the devices are a potential risk to public safety, as they can obscure the location of police cars, ambulances and fire appliances. Melbourne Taxi industry sources said jammers are being bought for about $25 on websites such as eBay.

HOW DOES A GPS JAMMER WORK?
1. Cabbie turns on the jammer, which transmits interfering signals to block GPS location.
2. The jammer disguises the taxi’s true location and gives the impression the cabbie is in a certain area for a long time waiting for a fare, when they are actually out getting other fares
3. Booking networks then offer the next fare in that area to the cab driver, thinking they have been waiting the longest.
4. The driver who has actually been in the area the longest misses out on the fare.

TaxiCabNews