Taxi scam picking up PINs, not customers, Toronto cops warn

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Toronto Police are warning people of a taxi scam in south Etobicoke.

Police said that vehicles resembling taxis are being parked in a high-traffic area. During the scam, a suspect acts as a taxi driver and another poses as a customer. The taxi driver refuses to take the fake customer’s cash or says their card is not working and they cannot pay the cab fare.

Unsuspecting victims are then asked to use their debit card to pay for the fake customer’s fare in exchange for cash.

When the victim enters the PIN for their debit card into a modified point-of-sale terminal, the device records the card data and PIN after the transaction is successful. The victim is then given a bank card that resembles their own and the cash.

After this, the suspects are in possession of the victim’s debit card and use the PIN to make fraudulent purchases.

The suspects have been known to use a blue Honda Civic, a blue Honda Accord, a silver Chevrolet Malibu and black Honda Accord. The vehicle may or may not have a taxi sign affixed to the roof.

Photos of the suspects have been released.

Police said people shouldn’t leave their debit or credit card unattended inside a point-of-sale terminal and should be aware of the driver’s identification, which is usually displayed to the customer. They also said to not make payments for a stranger using a personal card in exchange for cash.

Anyone who has been the victim of a related scam should contact 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).