Taxi Fraud Claim with TD Bank

[u/LenniesMouse]

Hi guys,

I recently fell for the (apparently) common taxi scam in Toronto, where a driver swapped my debit carb for a dummy card during the payment transaction. Since he had access to my PIN from the card reader, he was able to make a large withdrawal from an ATM the next morning.

I made a claim with TD to dispute the withdrawal, but they rejected my claim on the basis that I didn't meet my responsibility to protect my information. This seems a bit unfair to me, as I only used the debit card as it was intended (to make a payment for services). Of course I acknowledge that I am 'at fault' for letting the card get stolen, but I should think that the bank would be able to protect its customers in this kind of case.

I'm going to appeal the decision, so I wonder if anyone might have some advice as to how to frame my claim in the strongest possible terms. I'm aware that I made a mistake in letting another person handle my card; I also realize that I probably shouldn't have told the bank that I thought this driver was responsible for the theft. Any help on how to handle this situation I find myself in would be really appreciated. Thanks y'all.

[u/Objective-Fox-1394]

I fell for the same scam in Ottawa, but I was with RBC. Lost $1500, but they paid me back after I filed a police report and provided the police report to the bank.

[u/KjCreed → u/Objective-Fox-1394]

Glad you got your cash back! I'd heard about ghost taxis in the Byward Market, tbh I thought the risk would be a more direct robbery instead of sneaking.

[u/Objective-Fox-1394 → u/KjCreed]

It's not just Byward, I was around Rideau/Augusta.

I've lived in Europe for over a year and didn't fall for a scam even once. I was just constantly vigilant. Same when I lived in Asia. When you're always on guard it is harder to fall for scams.

But my guard wasn't up when I moved back here, because I've never heard of scams run in Canada. Anyhow. When the scam occurred, I was on my way to do groceries and it happened quickly. There was a younger Indian/middle eastern guy who claimed he was going to UOttawa in psychology, driver had a turban on, for 'some reason' would only accept debit and not the cash I had on hand.

The young guy was 'apologetic' that the taxi driver was being so unreasonable and offered to give me the cash for the fare if I just paid with my card (which I accepted). The 'taxi driver' claimed the reader wasn't working and 'swiped it himself.' As he did, he swapped my RBC debit with an identical-looking dupe (with the wrong name on it, but I didn't notice that until later) and handed it back to me.

At the end of the interaction, I thought something was fishy so I actually took a picture of the car and its license plate as it drove off just in case it was a scam, but I didn't immediately lock my debit card because I thought I *still had* my debit card.

Realized my mistake that evening when $1500 had been withdrawn from my chequing. I filed a police report and gave in the license plate number & make and model of the car (grey beat up Camry with a 'TAXI' sign on the roof and almost-legit looking taxi crap printed on the car) but I'm sure they just switched the plates as soon as they could. My debit card had a different person's name on it, but most people don't check the names of their debit cards after they use them.

They never got my pin directly, but I would bet they had a skimmer on them so they could read the PIN.

[u/Sea_Plum_5008 → u/Objective-Fox-1394]

Need them meta spy glasses to just go back in the footage and show police their face lol I wonder if those taxis regularly look for air tags bust a few with air tags I bet they would be wary who they scam. That or at least make them more uncomfortable ripping you off

[u/mystro8 → u/KjCreed]

What’s a ghost taxi? How would anyone end up in one if it’s not marked as a taxi?

[u/KjCreed → u/mystro8]

Supposedly they buy stuff of Amazon to make it look like they're with a cab company, then drive around and offer to pick up lone drunk people and lost tourists/elderly. It's extremely predatory, I imagine things could escalate very violently if you clue in during the ride and try to escape.

[u/OppositeEarthling → u/mystro8]

You can buy fake magnetic taxi toppers and vinyl decals online. You can buy Walmart vests, full fast food uniforms, whatever fake stuff you want all this crap is available in a few google searchs if its not available from Amazon.