End of bookings

Serious allegations of fraud against 123-Transporter

123 Transporter has long been heavily criticized.(Bild: Seebacher Doris)

The managing director of the rental company 123-Transporter, based in Ternitz (Lower Austria), is under investigation for serious commercial fraud and embezzlement. Many consumers are currently waiting for the repayment of debited amounts, according to the AK Upper Austria. 

The proceedings are still in the early stages, according to the Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor's office on Thursday. The basis for the investigation is several complaints. The Chamber of Labor (AK) reported thousands of complaints about direct debits.

Currently no booking possible
"Due to technical problems, booking in Austria is currently not possible," can be read on the website of 123 Shared Mobility GmbH. The company itself cannot be contacted

Those affected should reclaim the outstanding amounts in writing and request a chargeback from the payment service provider. They are also advised not to pay any reduced amounts if they are not justified.

123-Transporter has been heavily criticized for a long time.(Bild: Seebacher Doris)

Currently, no bookings can be made via the company's website.(Bild: Screenshot 123 Transporter)

Complaints about deposits and contractual penalties
According to a press release issued on Thursday, AK Upper Austria alone has received 4500 complaints about 123 Transporter since December 2022. This year, the total was 3305, peaking in September with over 850 consultations concerning deposits or contractual penalties for speeding or smoking in the vehicle, for example.

According to AK Steiermark, the amounts were debited without direct authorization from the customer's specified means of payment, such as a current account. In several cases, legal action was taken against the company.

Dispute over deposit
123-Transporter did not clearly point out the deposit (currently 500 or 1000 euros depending on the rental period) before concluding the rental agreement, but only mentioned it in the 24-page general terms and conditions (GTC), according to the AK Upper Austria. 

A bizarre case in Burgenland
It was only in September that an incident made headlines because a couple from Burgenland were traveling from Poland to Austria in a fully loaded van. The journey turned out to be a nightmare. During the first 450 kilometers, they received 17 fines for alleged speeding violations and were charged a total of around 700 euros. Shortly afterwards - according to the customer - the engine is said to have been switched off by remote control while driving at full speed near Dresden.

Following complaints, the DIY stores Obi and Hornbach in Austria ended their cooperation with the rental company, which was founded in 2020, according to media reports. According to the consumer advice center, there were also disgruntled customers with the German branch of the company. In the neighboring country, the Landshut public prosecutor's office in Bavaria is reportedly investigating the managing director.