How the scam works
Ottawa residents are being warned to think twice before helping a stranger pay for a taxi ride or a food delivery with their debit card, as police say fraudsters are using the exchange to steal cards and drain bank accounts.
The Ottawa Police Service issued the warning Monday about what investigators are calling “Good Samaritan” scams, in which someone posing as a person in need approaches a passerby near a vehicle and claims the driver will not accept cash, according to the Ottawa Police Service.
The stranger then offers cash in exchange for the passerby paying the fare with their debit card. The victim is asked to insert their card into a payment terminal and enter their PIN — and during the transaction, the driver switches the card with a similar-looking one. The suspects later use the stolen card to withdraw money from the victim's account.
Police say the scheme has evolved as the public has caught on. A newer version involves someone claiming to be taking a food or pizza delivery, telling a passerby the driver won't accept cash and asking them to pay by debit in exchange for money. The same card-switching trick is used to obtain both the victim's card and their PIN.
How to protect yourself
Police are advising residents to only use licensed taxis or reputable ride services, and to check that a vehicle has proper identification and markings. They also say to never let anyone else handle your bank card, and to shield your PIN whenever you enter it into a payment terminal.
Where possible, police recommend using a trusted app-based payment method. Residents should be cautious any time a stranger asks them to cover a taxi fare or food delivery with a debit card in exchange for cash.
Police also point out that cash is an acceptable payment option for taxis, and that most food deliveries are prepaid at the time of ordering — with cash accepted for those that aren't.
What to do if you've been targeted
Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to the scam is being told to contact their bank immediately and report the incident to police.
People with information about these incidents are asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300.
Police are also encouraging residents to register their information and security camera locations at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations, and say the public can view and download data released by the service through its Community Safety Data portal at data.ottawapolice.ca.
