The Toronto Police Service has issued an advisory to the public regarding an emerging taxi scam.

According to a TPs report, the scam unfolds with unsuspecting pedestrians approached by individuals posing as taxi passengers arriving at their destination. These perpetrators, allegedly in collaboration with the taxi operators, explain that the taxi driver does not take cash payments, instead proposing debit or credit card transactions. Subsequently, victims are offered cash in exchange for utilizing their debit/credit cards. However, during the transaction, the scammer purportedly swaps or skims the victim’s card, leading to unauthorized withdrawals or purchases.

Since June 2023, TPS reports that the financial crimes unit has received more than 60 complaints related to various scams involving taxis, resulting in losses exceeding $40,000.

Authorities have identified a primary suspect in numerous incidents. A 25-year-old man, hailing from Brampton, is sought for charges including fraud, assault, and failure to comply with release orders.

In light of these developments, the TPS emphasizes the importance of vigilance when engaging in transactions involving taxis and debit/credit cards. Several precautionary measures have been recommended, including safeguarding cards during transactions, verifying taxi credentials, and checking for driver identification visibly displayed within the vehicle.

Additionally, the public is advised to promptly remove debit cards from malfunctioning terminals and refrain from making payments for unknown individuals in exchange for cash. Individuals are encouraged to inspect their cards after each transaction, cover their fingers when entering PINs, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Anyone with pertinent information is urged to contact the Toronto Police Service at 416-808-7305 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or via www.222tips.com.