How scammers use generic taxi roof signs in this fake cab scheme in Canada

The president of the Canadian Taxi Association has asked Amazon to stop selling “generic” taxi signs that are being used by scammers to steal people’s bank information.

In Ontario, Toronto, Sarnia, Sudbury and Ottawa have seen a wave of “fake taxi” scams this summer where imposter taxi drivers steal the PINs of people looking to help someone in need, according to the Canadian Taxi Association. Sums of between $980 and $9,900 have been stolen this summer in Sarnia alone, the group said in a press release.

The scam involves a team of two who pose as a taxi driver and a visibly distressed passenger seeking assistance. When the target comes near, the “passenger” will approach, cash in hand, asking for help paying the fair for a taxi that only accepts debit or credit.

They offer the cash in exchange for the Good Samaritan paying the fee with their card, however the reader will be fake, designed to log the Samaritan’s PIN information so that their bank account can be drained or their credit card used.

Part of the reason these scams have been so effective is because the fake taxi is done up with fake signage to look legitimate. Roof lights are the go-to disguise for fake taxis and while some are stolen from real taxis, many are generic signs that can be purchased off Amazon.

The president of the Canadian Taxi Association, Marc Andre Way, told Ottawa-based talk radio station 580 CFRA that the fake passenger is often a young person pretending to be very upset.

““Sometimes, to show supposed appreciation, the distressed young person will offer to give cash above the amount of the fare – for example, offering the target $20 cash to put a $15 charge on their card,” Way said on Aug. 4.

“NEVER give any card to anyone telling you a Taxi driver won’t take cash. All legitimate Taxi drivers are ready to accept cash; in fact, they prefer cash over anything,”

Way also wrote a letter to the CEO of Amazon, Andy Jassy, bringing attention to the issue, according to the Canadian Taxi Association.

“Traditionally in Canadian cities, branded roof signs were available only through specialty shops which supplied the Taxi industry. The sellers knew who was making the purchase; for which Taxi brokerage the person drove.” Way wrote in his letter. “However, the generic signs being sold through Amazon and other outlets are available to anyone.”

Way requested that Amazon remove these generic “Taxi” signs from their online store due to the risks they pose.

“On behalf of the Taxi industry in Canada, I am requesting that Amazon to consider no longer selling generic ‘Taxi’ signs. We all fear that something much worse than a financial scam will be enabled by the disingenuous use of these Taxi signs by individuals who would misuse them to physically harm innocent persons. Please assure us you will act before this happens.”

When contacted by Taxi News regarding the risks posed by generic “Taxi” signs, Amazon Canada’s public relations specialist Octavia Roufogalis said safety is a “top priority” at Amazon.

“We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations. These lights are legal to sell in Canada and as a result, can be listed for sale in the Amazon.ca store. Unfortunately, like many products, these products can be misused,” Roufogalis said. “Amazon will continue to monitor the situation and adapt to any developments on regulation and compliance of these items.”

Way listed ways that commuters can identify a real taxi, such as a municipal tariff card displayed on the passenger seat and on the back, a fee metre running on the dash, the driver’s ID card displayed visibly, and, often, a municipally issued Taxi plate number stamped onto a metal plate on to the trunk and painted on the sides of the taxi.