Ottawa police warning of ongoing card swap scam involving taxis and rideshares
The Ottawa Police Service says it continues to receive reports of a card swap fraud involving illegitimate taxis or rideshares.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Police say residents should be vigilant when approached by a person asking for assistance in paying for a taxi fare by debit or credit card.
The victim is told the driver will not accept cash and is offered change in exchange for paying for the ride with their card.
A notice from police warning of the scam was first made in August after a similar issue was reported in Kington, Ont.
Police say that in at least one case, the vehicle bore a roof sign and taxi plate stolen from a legitimate taxi company licenced to operate only in Toronto.
Ottawa police and bylaw are reminding the public that all licenced taxis in the city will have a City of Ottawa logo located on the right side of the rear bumper. The plate is either blue with white lettering or white with green letters.
In addition, a roof sign will indicate the taxi company and plate number. There will be an identification number on both sides of the vehicle and a taximeter with a City of Ottawa seal.
Taxi drivers must also have a driver identification card with their photo and driver number.
There are only four licenced taxi companies licenced to operate in Ottawa. They are Blue Line Taxi Co. Ltd., Capital Taxi, West-Way Taxi and Executive Cabs.
Police are providing the following 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.
Reports of fraud can be made by calling the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or by filing a report online.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Carney says Trudeau's resignation gives Liberal party 'a chance' in next election, calls himself 'an outsider'
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Industry minister Champagne to announce Liberal leadership intentions today
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne plans to reveal his intentions for the Liberal leadership race today.
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
Icelandic discount carrier Play Airlines pulls out of Canada, leaving customers in dark
Play Airlines is pulling out of Canada less than two years after entering the market.
Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy
If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something. Starbucks on Monday said it was reversing a policy that invited everyone into its stores.
Liberal leadership: Freeland to announce bid within the next week
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland will announce her intention to run for the Liberal party leadership just before the U.S. presidential inauguration, a source close to her campaign team says.
Singh calls on Canada to stop critical minerals exports to U.S. amid Trump tariff threat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the only way to deal with 'bully' U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his looming tariff threat is to make him feel the 'pain' of Canada's retaliatory measures.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus illness in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Atlantic
-
Woman killed by husband in Mahone Bay, N.S., described as well-loved, funny
Family members of a 60-year-old Nova Scotia woman killed by her partner say she was an 'effortlessly funny' person who could also be lovingly honest and direct.
-
Lower Sackville man left shaken after house fire claims life of six-year-old girl
A Nova Scotia man is left shaken after his neighbour's home in Lower Sackville, N.S., caught fire over the weekend and claimed the life of a child.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
Toronto
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay US$620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a US$620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
Toronto feels like -18 this morning amid cold snap this week
Toronto residents are in for a frigid start this morning with the temperature feeling like -18.
-
One person taken to hospital following two-alarm fire in North York
One person has been taken to the hospital following a two-alarm fire at home in North York, say Toronto police.
Montreal
-
'Everybody's stunned': Ottawa abruptly pauses electric vehicle rebate program
The federal government has abruptly paused its electric vehicle rebate program.
-
Major crash in St-Hubert leaves teen in critical condition
Longueuil police (SPAL) are investigating after a collision left a young man in critical in the Saint-Hubert borough on Monday night.
-
Woman stabbed in Montreal's Plateau, police investigating
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a woman was stabbed in the Plateau.
Northern Ontario
-
Two killed in Hwy. 63 crash, North Bay OPP say
Two people in a passenger vehicle were killed Monday morning in a collision with a commercial motor vehicle on Highway 63 near Highway 533,
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
No injuries as abandoned building burns in downtown Timmins
Timmins firefighters responded to a call in the downtown around 4:30 Monday afternoon. Officials told CTV News that a fire broke out in the basement of a vacant building on 3rd Avenue.
Windsor
-
Vigil shines light on 26-year-old’s disappearance
Co-workers and customers gathered outside the workplace of a missing 26-year-old woman Monday evening to bring light to her disappearance.
-
Class action lawsuit nears $7.3 million settlement for Westcourt Place tenants
A class action lawsuit filed by Windsor law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP is nearing the finish line and a $7.3 million payout for its members following a fire that has left the Wescourt Place highrise vacant for more than five years.
-
Provincial NDP leader Marit Stiles calls for focus on tariff threat instead of an early election
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles announced her party is ready to work with the Doug Ford government to push back on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports.
London
-
Financial growing pains at city hall as property tax assessment growth slows to just 1.2 per cent
Property tax assessment growth in London has slipped to its lowest increase since 2017.
-
'Bitterly cold' wind chills expected on Tuesday
The squall action starts in midwestern Ontario as it moves in from Bruce and Grey counties — London likely won't see any squall action until Tuesday evening.
-
Youths allegedly assaulted after petting cat in Port Stanley
A man is facing charges in Elgin County after allegedly assaulting some youths on Saturday.
Kitchener
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
-
WRPS investigating 'serious' 2-vehicle collision in Cambridge, charges anticipated
Police say they were called to the area of Blair Road and Langdon Drive around 9:15 p.m. Monday for reports of a collision between a white Volkswagen and an orange Dodge.
-
Carney says Trudeau's resignation gives Liberal party 'a chance' in next election, calls himself 'an outsider'
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Barrie
-
Snow squall watches and warnings abound across central Ontario
Northern areas of central Ontario could see up to 60 centimetres of snow today.
-
School bus cancellations across central Ontario
Several school boards have cancelled school transportation in areas expected to feel the worst of the snowstorm.
-
Another historical sexual assault charge laid against Beeton, Ont. man
A Beeton man is facing another count of sexual assault following an investigation by provincial police.
Winnipeg
-
Murder trial begins for Manitoba man accused of running down, shooting neighbour
A trial has started for a Manitoba man accused of running down and shooting his neighbour before fleeing the province.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
-
Arrest made in Portage la Prairie double homicide: RCMP
Manitoba RCMP has made an arrest in connection with a double homicide in Portage la Prairie, Man., last month.
Calgary
-
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
-
Former PM Harper says he has 'a real problem' with recent Trump rhetoric
Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper is weighing in on recent rhetoric, calling U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's issues with this country "out of sync."
-
Calgary homeowner faces challenge after property assessment jumps 60%
Stan Valant, a long-time resident of Calgary's Silver Springs, is baffled by the city's recent assessment of his bi-level home.
Edmonton
-
Carney to start campaign for federal Liberal leadership Thursday in Edmonton: sources
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
U.S. man pleads guilty to sexually exploiting Edmonton girl
A U.S. man on Monday pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting an Edmonton girl and smuggling her across the border in 2022.
-
And then there were 3: Vote for Edmonton's city bird in final round
Birds of a feather flock together, proven by the thousands of Edmonton-area residents who cast their vote in the first round of competition to determine the "official" city bird.
Regina
-
'Exploring all options': Leaders in Sask. look to next steps as tariffs look likely
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says tariffs are coming and that its time to prepare - which has led to discussions in Saskatchewan over next steps.
-
Former Regina mayoral candidate Nathaniel Hewton released with conditions
Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Three dead after two separate crashes on Highway 7 west of Saskatoon
Three people are dead following two separate multi-vehicle collisions on a small stretch of Highway 7 on Sunday.
-
Driver killed in single-vehicle crash in Stonebridge on Sunday, police say
Saskatoon police say a driver was killed in an early-morning crash in Stonebridge on Sunday.
Vancouver
-
'No stone will be left unturned’ B.C. assembles team to fight Trump tariffs
The provincial government is assembling a group of business and labour leaders to strategize the best way to deal with looming tariffs threats from president-elect Donald Trump.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
-
Poilievre visits B.C. as poll shows Conservative support growing in the province
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began a weeklong tour of British Columbia on Monday, where recent polling suggests support for his party continues to grow.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
Kelowna
-
West Kelowna fire chief says L.A. devastation a haunting reminder of B.C. blaze
The fire chief of a British Columbia community devastated by a fast-moving wildfire in 2023 says it's "haunting" to see similar circumstances playing out in Southern California.
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
