WRPS warning of resurgence of ‘taxi scams’ in the region
Posted Jan 16, 2025 02:34:12 PM.
Last Updated Jan 16, 2025 02:34:18 PM.
The taxi scam is thriving in Waterloo Region, with police reporting half a dozen victims in just two days.
Waterloo Regional Police (WRPS) tell 570 NewsRadio the calls started coming in Wednesday afternoon about multiple scams being pulled around Kitchener: Five from Wednesday, one from the day before.
Police said six victims were approached in parking lots, with a fake passenger asking for help to pay for their cab. The victim offered their debit card to a fake cab driver, and the passenger gave the victim cash.
But the victim was given back a fake debit card, and their real card was stolen, with the victim having just typed in their PIN.
Police say the six victims lost more than $5,000 combined.
Constable Chris Iden, WRSP said there are ways to protect yourself if presented with a similar situation.
“Cab companies in the region have documentation to identify themselves as a legit company. And so, there are ways you can ask questions to make sure things are legit and people are in need of actual help.”
Police also report a recent string of fake jewelry scams, where a scammer requests assistance and offers jewellery as a thank you.
“They may do a slight of hand type trick where they will actually take jewellery on the victim at the time and replace it with fake jewellery” said Iden.
He adds that just because these thieves are targeting peoples good nature, it shouldn’t be a deterrent to helping someone in need.
“We don’t want to tell people that if somebody is asking for help to not help them. What makes this region so great is that we do have people that are willing to lend a helping hand. Unfortunately there are people that will try to take advantage of that.”
Police say so far, there are no suspect descriptions at this time.
