Community Social Issues

Fake taxi card scams continue in Ottawa

By Manor Park Chronicle

Photo of Ottawa Police Service badge

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) are advising the public to remain vigilant about fake taxi card scams operating in the city.

In these scams, an individual may ask for assistance in paying a taxi fare by debit or credit card, claiming that 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 licensed to operate only in Toronto.

It is important to be able to determine whether a taxicab is legitimate.

OPS and BLRS are reminding the public that all licenced taxi cabs in Ottawa can be identified because they 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;

• roof sign indicating the taxi company and plate number;

• identification number on both sides of the vehicle; and

• taximeter with a City of Ottawa seal.

Taxi drivers must also have a driver identification card with their photo and driver number.

Safety tips

The City of Ottawa has licensed the following taxi cabs to operate in Ottawa: Blue Line Taxi Co. Ltd., Capital Taxi, West-Way Taxi, and 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, visit https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/community-safety-and-crime-prevention/scams-and-fraud.aspx.

Report any instances of fraud by calling the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or online.

Report unlicenced taxi cabs to By-law and Regulatory Services by calling 3-1-1.

For more information, visit the City of Ottawa’s web page on regulations for taxis and private transportation companies.

This news release was submitted by the Ottawa Police Service.