Good Samaritan Scams: Warning About Debit Card Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 26, 2026 4:20 p.m.

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is warning residents about “Good Samaritan” scams in which individuals posing as people in need of assistance convince unsuspecting members of the public to use their debit cards to pay for a taxi fare or food delivery.

In these incidents, a person approaches a member of the public near a vehicle and claims the driver will not accept cash. The person offers cash in exchange for the victim paying the fare with their debit card.

The victim is then asked to insert their debit card into a payment terminal and enter their PIN. During the transaction, the driver switches the victim’s card with a similar-looking card. The suspects then use the stolen card to withdraw money from the victim’s account.

As the public has become aware of this scam they have evolved into a similar scam that involves individuals claiming to be making a food or pizza delivery. The person says the delivery driver will not accept cash and asks a passerby to pay by debit card in exchange for cash. The same card-switching technique is used to obtain the victim’s card and PIN.

 To protect themselves from these scams, residents are reminded to:

·       Only use licensed taxis or reputable ride services.

·       Ensure the vehicle has proper identification and markings.

·       Never allow anyone else to handle their bank card.

·       Shield their PIN when entering it into a payment terminal.

·       When possible, use a trusted app-based payment method.

·       Be cautious if someone asks them to pay for a stranger’s taxi fare or food delivery using their debit card in exchange for cash.

·       Remember that cash is an acceptable payment option for taxis.

·       Remember most food deliveries are prepaid at the time of the ordering and for those that are not cash is an acceptable payment.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of this scam, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to police.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Fraud Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300.

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