Card skimming fraud involving illegitimate taxis continues in Ottawa

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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