WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Canada
TAXI ASSOCIATION SOUNDS ALARM ON FAKE CAB SIGNS SOLD ON AMAZON
The Canadian Taxi Association (CTA) is urging Amazon to halt the sale of generic “taxi” roof signs, citing a rise in fraudulent act- ivities targeting unsuspecting passengers. In a letter to Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, CTA president Mark Andre Way expressed concern that criminals are using these readily available signs to impersonate legitimate taxi drivers. This impersonation facilitates a growing “card swap” scam, where victims are tricked into handing over their debit cards and PINs. “These signs, traditionally only available through specialised shops within the industry,
are now
accessible to anyone on Amazon,” Way stated. “This not only undermines passenger safety but also tarnishes the trusted image of taxi services.” Way emphasised the potential for more serious crimes beyond financial loss. “We fear these fake cabs could be used to lure unsuspecting individuals into dangerous situations,” he noted. Amazon maintained that safety is a priority and all products on its platform comply with regulations but acknowledged the potential for misuse. Amazon indicated it would monitor the situation and adapt to any changes in regulations. The CTA president countered this stance, arguing that Amazon has a responsibility to go beyond legal compliance. “These signs are not simply a product,” Way said. “They represent a symbol of trust and safety that shouldn’t be so easily exploited.” The scam, particularly prevalent in Ontario cities such as Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton, typically involves two perpetrators. One poses as a driver with a fake taxi, while the other stages a disagreement about payment, claiming the driver refuses cash. The bystander, approached to help mediate, is then tricked into using their own card. Ottawa police have urged residents to be cautious and
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advised that legitimate taxi drivers readily accept cash, and any insistence on alternative payment methods should be a red flag. Detective Shaun Wahbeh of the Ottawa Police Service Organised Fraud Section stated: “Fraud reports are rampant, and this specific scam appears to be making a comeback.”
from Ireland
TAXI DRIVERS DEMAND JUSTICE AFTER BRUTAL CORK ATTACK
Cork taxi drivers are calling for tougher penalties for attackers after a spate of violent incidents targeting the city’s cabbies. The latest assault occurred on a recent Sunday morning when a taxi driver, a Spanish national in his 40s of Pakistani heritage, was savagely beaten on Grand Parade. The man suffered severe injuries to his face after being dragged from his vehicle by a lone assailant. It is understood the attack happened after the driver refused to take the man on board. The incident has sparked outrage among the city’s taxi community, with Cork Taxi Council chairman Bobby Lynch expressing deep concern. He pointed to two recent court cases where taxi drivers were assaulted, yet the perpetrators received suspended sentences. In one case, a man who assaulted a driver in Bishops- town in May 2021 was given an 18-month suspended jail term. In another incident, a passenger who hijacked a taxi after a dispute over the route was handed a two- year suspended sentence. Lynch criticised the lenient punishments, stating that drivers are “disgusted” and feeling increasingly unsafe. He questioned the role of the National Transport Authority and city councillors in addressing the issue. Suleman Ahmed, a representative for around 120 Asian taxi drivers in Cork, witnessed Sunday’s attack and described the victim as lucky to escape without losing an eye. He emphasised the need for stricter penalties to deter potential attackers.
SEPTEMBER 2024 PHTM
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