Kingston Police Warn Residents About Growing “Fake Taxi Uber” Scam

| Small Town News | A Division of Small Town Productions |

The Kingston Police are alerting the community to a concerning scam that has recently surfaced in the area and may continue to increase as the holiday season approaches. Reports show that individuals posing as taxi or rideshare drivers are targeting unsuspecting residents using a highly deceptive method designed to steal bank cards and access victims’ accounts.

According to police, scammers often operate in pairs. One pretends to be the taxi driver while the other acts as a passenger in need of help. The vehicle may appear legitimate, using stolen or imitation taxi lights and even Ontario license plates to improve credibility.

Police say the scam typically unfolds when the fake passenger approaches someone nearby claiming the taxi will not accept cash for a small fare. They offer the victim cash in exchange for paying the fare with their debit card. When the victim inserts their card into a modified point of sale terminal, the scammers capture the card’s PIN.

At the same time, the scammers hand the victim cash while secretly swapping the real debit card with either a fake card or a card stolen from another victim. With the correct PIN, the scammers can then withdraw funds or make purchases at ATMs and local convenience stores.

In many cases, victims do not realize their cards have been switched until hours later.

Police urge members of the public to remain cautious around unfamiliar vehicles, especially those claiming to operate as taxis or rideshare services.

Simple awareness can prevent significant financial loss and help keep others in the community safe.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted or impacted by this scam is encouraged to contact Kingston Police at 613 549 4660 ext “0” or submit an online report at www.kingstonpolice.ca

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