Fraudsters posing as taxi operators and passengers are hitting Winnipeggers with a new fraud designed to drain the victim's bank account in a card skimming operation.
Vehicles with fake TAXI signs on their roofs roam high-traffic areas, such as mall parking lots. A person acting as a passenger exits the vehicle and approaches a bystander, advising that the taxi does not accept cash and asking if the bystander will use their debit card to pay for their fare in exchange for cash.
Once the victim's card is acquired, surreptitious skimming techniques are used to withdraw far more money than the alleged fare amount.
The public is asked to be mindful of this emerging fraud.
The Financial Crimes Unit continues with the City of Winnipeg body overseeing vehicles for hire, such as local taxi companies and ride-sharing services to create awareness of this emerging fraud.
Know Your Taxi provides information to confirm the legitimacy of service providers.
- All licensed taxis have a legitimate name decal on their doors (Duffy's, Unicity, Blueline) as well as a three-digit taxi identification number both inside and outside the vehicle
- All taxi companies accept cash
- Do not allow strangers to borrow your debit/credit card, even with the promise of cash in return
- Debit and credit cards can easily be used in scams where your PIN is surreptitiously acquired and repeatedly used without your knowledge
- Report any suspicious transactions to the police and/or 311
Citizens can report frauds such as the unauthorized use/possession of payment device online.