Public Safety Alert, Taxi Scam, Images Released

Public Safety Alert, 
Taxi Scam,
Images Released

Broadcast time: 01:50 PM
Date: Tuesday, Aug 06, 2024
Unit: 22 Division
Case #: n/a 

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an ongoing taxi scam being committed in the South Etobicoke area of Toronto.

It is reported that:

• a vehicle resembling a taxi is parked in a high traffic area
• one suspect poses as the taxi driver and another poses as a customer
• the taxi driver refuses to take the other suspect's cash or the suspect claims their card is not working and they cannot pay the cab fare
• the unsuspecting victim offers to help by letting the suspect use their debit card to pay for the fare in exchange for cash
• the victim enters the PIN number for their debit card into a modified point of sale terminal
• the device records the card data and PIN number after the transaction is successful, the victim is given another bank card that resembles their own, and the victim accepts the cash from one suspect before leaving
• the suspects are now in possession of the victim's debit card and use the PIN to make a number of fraudulent purchases and/or withdrawals

The suspects have been known to use the following vehicles:

• blue Honda Civic
• blue Honda Accord
• silver Chevrolet Malibu
• black Honda Accord

The vehicle may or may not have a taxi sign affixed to the roof.

Images of the suspects have been released.

The Toronto Police Service would like to remind 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
• 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 clear view in the rear of the cab
• if there is an error code, or the debit machine is not functioning, always REMOVE your debit card before returning the machine for assistance
• do not 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
• cover your fingers when entering your PIN

Anyone who has information, or believes they have been a victim of a taxi scam, is urged to contact police.

If you are a victim of any related scam, please contact the police at 416-808-2200 to report the incident, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

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Constable Shannon Eames for Detective Constable Everett Dunbar

Images for this release are available on our website.