How to Stay Safe from Taxi Scams
Campus Safety Services is advising the community to remain vigilant regarding taxi scams currently operating in the city.
In these scams, an individual may ask for assistance paying a taxi fare using a debit or credit card, claiming the driver will not accept cash.
In at least one reported incident, the vehicle involved displayed a taxi company roof sign.
Identify Whether a Taxi is Legitimate
When using a taxicab, it is important to be able to identify whether the vehicle is legitimate.
Campus Safety Services reminds our community that all licensed taxis in Ottawa must have:
- A taxi plate with the 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 lettering
- A roof sign indicating the taxi company name and plate number
- An identification number is displayed on both sides of the vehicle
- A taximeter with a City of Ottawa seal
Taxi drivers must also display a driver identification card that includes their photo and driver number.
Only the following taxi companies are licensed to operate in Ottawa:
- Blue Line Taxi Co. Ltd.
- Capital Taxi
- West-Way Taxi
- Executive Cabs
To reduce the risk of fraud, Campus Safety Services offers the following safety tips:
- Do not agree to pay for someone else’s transaction using your debit or credit card, even if you are offered compensation equal to or greater than the amount.
- When making purchases, always protect your PIN.
- Never share your PIN with anyone.
- Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess; avoid birthdays, phone numbers, or other easily identifiable information.
- Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for suspicious activity.
What to Do If You Are Targeted
If you believe you have been a victim:
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze your card
- Report the incident to Campus Safety Services or Ottawa Police Service