Fraud Unit warning residents to be vigilant with card skimming fraud involving taxis and Uber

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/fraud-unit-warning-residents-to-be-vigilant-with-card-skimming-fraud-involving-taxis-and-uber.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 12, 2024   1:48pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit is advising the public to be extra vigilant when being asked to pay for a service with a credit or bank card in exchange of money.

The Ottawa Police Service has recently received several complaints concerning people being defrauded after affording assistance in paying with their personal credit or bank card for a taxi or Uber fare.

In all incidents, a suspect approaches the victim in a shopping or strip mall parking lot asking them to pay for their cab fare explaining that the driver does not accept cash, and only takes credit or debit.

If the victim accepts, they are brought to the nearby taxicab to complete the transaction using their own credit/debit card.  The suspect then pays the victim with cash for the transaction.

In completing the transaction, the driver switches the victim’s credit/debit card for a false one and the Personal Identification number (PIN) is obtained surreptitiously. The victim’s card is then used to complete fraudulent transactions.

The 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.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

Further warnings about a false Uber driver

https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/index.aspx?newsId=43db00a1-da71-4d15-ab20-095a83c27f29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, January 9, 2018        2:38pm  

(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section has received reports of a male offering women a ride and sometimes posing as an Uber driver. These approaches are reported to have been made late at night, particularly in the ByWard Market area, and possibly targeting women who appear to be intoxicated and have just left bars/restaurants. 

The male is reported to sexually assault and obtain the victim’s debit or credit card and PIN, which he uses at a later date to defraud the victims. 

The Ottawa Police is not issuing the suspect’s description at this time. 

It is unknown if these incidents are linked to incidents reported on December 20, 2017. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service tip line at 613-236-1222, ext. 5760. 

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers, toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or downloading the Ottawa Police app.  

Ottawa Police warns about a false Uber driver scam

https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/index.aspx?newsId=43db00a1-da71-4d15-ab20-095a83c27f29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 20, 2017         12:50 pm

(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service has received reports about a male suspect posing as an Uber driver in the downtown core, particularly in the ByWard Market area. 

In this scam, the suspect typically waits in his vehicle, late at night, and looks for people coming out of bars/restaurants who may be looking for a taxi.

The suspect approaches potential customers and identifies himself as an Uber driver. This happens before the person connects to the Uber Application to request a ride.

The suspect drives the victim to their destination and uses a card skimmer or asks the customer to pay with a debit card or VISA. Having obtained the customer’s PIN and card number, the suspect attends an ATM and withdraws large amounts of money from the customer’s account.

The Ottawa Police Service is not issuing a suspect description at this time, as there could be several such scammers.

It is important to remember that Uber is a smartphone application that allows customers/drivers to have all payments done within the application. As such, an Uber driver should NOT be requesting other means of payment. It is best not to accept a ride by an Uber driver, unless you have actually requested the service.

If you have been a victim of this fraudulent scam, please contact the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300, and file a report.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.