Police are warning of scammers in the St. Catharines area who ask are preying upon unsuspecting Good Samaritans who agree to help out after being conned into believing a cabbie or food delivery driver won't accept cash.
After getting help from the Good Samaritan, the scammer then proceeds to empty out the helpful person's bank account, according to police.
Police say the scam involves the individual pretending to be a customer who exits a vehicle with a taxi or Domino’s roof sign.
"The scammer then approaches a potential victim, claiming the driver only accepts card payments and not cash," Niagara Regional Police said in a news release.
The scammer offers the victim cash in exchange for using their debit card.
"Once the victim agrees, the scammer discreetly swaps the victim's card with an invalid one," police said. "The suspect then takes the victim’s card to a nearby ATM to withdraw as much money as possible."
If anyone has any information about the scammers, they are being asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008914.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
Niagara Regional Police Service offered the following safety tips to protect yourself:
- Never hand over your debit or credit card to someone you don't know, even if they offer cash in return.
- Avoid entering your PIN for anyone else, regardless of the situation.
- Be cautious of strangers who ask for help with payments, especially if they approach you with an urgent request.
- Always double-check your card after any transaction to ensure it is yours.
- Trust your instincts – if something feels off or too good to be true, walk away.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police or your bank as soon as possible.
- By staying vigilant and aware, you can help protect yourself and others from this type of scam.
