‘Bolt profile renting is fraud’ – e-hailing service warns
“The safety of passengers and drivers that use Bolt is our greatest priority and we are continuously looking for new ways to improve in addition to the multiple steps we’ve put in place to protect the millions of people that use the platform every month."
Residents were warned against the renting out of driver accounts on e-hailing service Bolt.
“Renting out Bolt driver accounts registered on the e-hailing platform is considered fraud,” said regional manager in the SADC region, Gareth Taylor.
“Bolt will not hesitate to lay charges of fraud with the SAPS if its investigations reveal that an individual has committed this crime,” he said.
Taylor further explained that their platform completely prohibited drivers from authorising any other person to use their driver accounts, including renting out their profiles to any other person at all.
In the past, users of the platforms retold harrowing stories of how they were almost robbed and assaulted by so-called drivers registered on the platform.
Taylor explained that their drivers were required to be in possession of a PrDP (professional driving permit), adding that it was only applicants who passed a full criminal background check by the authorities who were issued with such permits.
“In addition to the police clearance required, Bolt requires additional criminal background checks – as an extra layer of driver verification – which are performed by an independent provider, Managed Integrity Evaluation,” he said.
“Only applicants that have no prior record of criminal activity are able to join the platform.”
Taylor also rubbished claims that drivers registered on the platform did not receive any training.
“Drivers have access to training content when they first join which guides them through the basics of customer service and how to use their payment statements and other administrative functions,” he said.
He further explained that if a driver was suspended for issues relating to conduct on the platform, they insisted on the driver completing the training modules which would help them offer better services to their passengers.
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