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Kingston Police are warning the public of a taxi scam.
The scam involves someone pretending to be a passenger asking another person to help pay for a cab fare.
Another person posing as a taxi or Uber driver claims they don’t accept cash and requires a debit or credit card for payment.
The victim, in an effort to help, offers their debit or credit card in exchange for cash.
Investigators say the terminal used to conduct the transaction is modified to capture the PIN number of the card.
The driver then removes the card but hands over another card and keeps the one belonging to the victim.
They say the victim doesn’t realize they have been scammed until hours later when the scammers use the card to drain out the bank accounts.
Investigators say the vehicles often have fake or stolen taxi lights and Ontario license plates.
They say these scams are likely to continue as students return for the upcoming school year.
Police are encouraging anyone who may have been a victim of this scam or have been approached by these people to contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660, ext. 0.
Story by Ken Hashizume
