Canadians kindest, most trusting folks on Earth

Also, all Taxi drivers accept cash

Here’s a positive thought to share about Canadians for Canada Day.

Canadians, especially those who will lend their credit or debit card to a total stranger and also supply them with the Personal Identification Number, must be among the kindest, most generous and most trusting human beings on this Earth.

It has been several years now since police across Canada first started reporting that scammers and con men posing as Taxi drivers are working in teams with partners to rip off Canadians.

According to the Toronto Police Service, the public needs to be aware of an ongoing taxi and food delivery scam being committed in the Toronto area.

It is reported that:

• a female approaches the victims and advises that the taxicab or food delivery driver does not accept cash, and will only accept debit
• the female then offers to pay the victim cash, if they can assist her to pay for the fee with their debit card
• the driver of the vehicle then claims the tap feature is not working and they will need to insert the card 
• the victim enters the PIN number for their debit card into a modified point of sale terminal
• the device records the card data and PIN number after the transaction is successful, the victim is given another bank card that resembles their own
• the suspects are now in possession of the victim’s debit card and use the PIN to make a number of fraudulent purchases and/or withdrawals.

The Canadian Taxi Association has issued statements by video; in print; and distributed by newswire to assure every concerned and generous Canadian that ALL TAXI DRIVERS ACCEPT CASH.

Further, if anyone posing as a Taxi driver tells you they don’t accept cash, YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING. They are lying, scamming con artists.

Not only do all Taxi drivers accept cash, but it is by far their favourite form of payment and possibly one of their favourite things on Earth.

Here’s the full release posted by the CTA two years ago, in 2024. Despite the fact that police have reiterated fairly frequently that ALL TAXI DRIVERS ACCEPT CASH, the message does not seem to have penetrated the minds of Canadians kind and generous* enough to lend their cards and give their PINS. It is kind of amazing, really.

(*In my first draft of my column, I automatically typed the words “naïve and gullible” rather than “kind and generous.” But, it is Canada Day and I wanted to write something positive. Please, Canadians – don’t be so kind and generous to complete strangers that you put your entire financial position at risk. ALL TAXI DRIVERS ACCEPT CASH.)

Happy Canada Day!