Kington Police warn public of ‘taxi scam’

Kingston Police would like to warn the public of a taxi scam where suspects steal victims’ bank cards.

The Kingston Police have received three reports of this alleged scam, all of which occurred at a west end department store located on Midland Avenue within the past month.

Investigators allege the scams would occur when an unsuspecting victim would walk by a taxi and be approached by someone pretending to be a fare. The scammer would tell the victim that the taxi doesn’t accept cash, offering the victim cash in exchange for using their debit or credit card.

The taxi operator, who police allege is part of the scam, would use the victim’s card and then swap it out for a similar looking card.

The scammers would then leave the area and go on to make withdrawals and purchases with the victim’s card.

Similar scams have been reported in other municipalities across the province. Specific to the incidents which occurred in Kingston, the vehicle involved had a ‘taxi’ sign located on the vehicle’s seat and not mounted to the roof.