Sunday, 22 December 2024

Card skimming fraud involving illegitimate taxis continues in Ottawa

 

Card skimming fraud involving illegitimate taxis continues in Ottawa

Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2024
Graphic showing placement of taxi identifiers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 12, 2024       2:05 pm

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) are advising the public to remain vigilant about taxi scams operating in the city.

In these scams, an individual may ask for assistance in paying a taxi fare by debit or credit card, as the driver will not accept cash.

In at least one case, the vehicle bore a roof sign and taxi plate stolen from a legitimate taxi licenced only to operate in Toronto.

When engaging with a taxicab, it is important to be able to determine whether it is legitimate.

OPS and BLRS are reminding the public that all licenced taxicabs in Ottawa have:

  • a taxi plate with the City of Ottawa logo located on the right side of the rear bumper. This plate is either blue with white lettering or white with green letters
  • a roof sign indicating the taxi company and plate number
  • an identification number on both sides of the vehicle
  • a taximeter with a City of Ottawa seal

Taxi drivers must also have a driver identification card with their photo and driver number.

Only the following taxi companies are licenced to operate in the City of Ottawa:

  • Blue Line Taxi Co. Ltd.
  • Capital Taxi
  • West-Way Taxi
  • Executive Cabs

The OPS Fraud Unit provides these safety tips:

  • Don’t accept to pay with your debit or credit card for someone else’s transaction even if you are offered monetary compensation, equivalent or superior to the original transaction amount.
  • When making purchases, protect your PIN.
  • Do not share your PIN with anyone.
  • Choose a PIN that is not easy to guess – avoid birthdays and phone numbers, etc.
  • Keep a close watch on your incoming bank and credit card statements.
  • For more tips, click here.

Reports of fraud can be made by calling the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or online.

Unlicenced taxicabs should be reported to By-law and Regulatory Services by calling 3-1-1.

Visit Ottawa.ca/consumerawareness for more information on regulations for taxis and Private Transportation Companies.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

@OttawaPolice

facebook.com/OttawaPoliceService

instagram.com/ottawapolice

 

City of Ottawa Media Relations

Tel: 613 580-2450

Courriel : medias@ottawa.ca

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