Public Safety Alert, Pickpocket/credit card scam in and around downtown core

Public Safety Alert, Pickpocket/credit card scam in and around downtown core

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - 9:33 AM
52 Division:  416-808-5200

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of pickpocket and credit card scams in and around the downtown core.

The Toronto Police Service has received multiple reports from people who have been victims of stolen wallets.

It is reported that:

- suspects target patrons who are dining at restaurants and food courts in the downtown area, specifically lunchtime crowds

- the items, primarily wallets, are taken from unattended purses and coats which are left hanging on the back of chairs

- the victims' debit cards and credit cards were subsequently used for unauthorized transactions worth thousands of dollars

- in each incident, suspects wore baseball caps and glasses to avoid security cameras 

- immediately after the items are stolen, the suspects attended retail locations in the vicinity and purchased goods with the stolen cards 

- the suspects also used stolen identification to subsequently commit identity fraud

The Toronto Police Service would like to remind members of the public to have a secure PIN, and to be aware of your coats, purses, wallets and other property when dining in public spaces.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Patrick Stewart, 52 Division