POLICE are warning of the latest taxi driver scam targeting innocent people. File photo.
THIS honest cabbie helped to prevent an elderly passenger from being scammed.
Police are warning of this most recent taxi driver scam that is making the rounds by trying to take advantage of peoples’ fears of COVID-19.
Officers say in this scheme, a fake taxi is parked in a parking lot as one suspect poses as a driver and the other a customer.
“One of the suspects asks (a victim) for help paying for his taxi fare,” 22 Division officers posted online. “He tells the victim that the driver refuses to take cash due to COVID-19.”
Police said the victim is asked by the fake passenger if he can use his debit card to pay for the fare, in exchange for cash.
“The victim then inputs the PIN for their debit card and into the modified Point of Sale terminal,” police said. “The device records the card data and PIN.”
After the transaction is successful, the victim is given another bank card resembling their own card and accepts cash from one of the suspects before leaving,” officers explained.
Soon the victim’s bank account is cleaned out by the suspects who have access to his card.
Detectives believe there may be others operating similar scams and further victims.
Police are reminding the public to be vigilant when using any type of public transport that results in debit or credit card transactions.
Some tips include: do not leave your debit or credit card unattended inside a Point of Sale terminal anywhere or at any time, be aware of taxi numbers and company names when using their services, be aware of the driver’s identification that is displayed to the customer in the rear of the cab.
Residents are also warned not to make payments for an unknown person, using your personal card, in exchange for cash; inspect your card after each transaction and ensure it is your card and cover your fingers when entering your PIN.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.