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The Niagara Regional Police Service is warning the public about a new scam occurring in the St. Catharines area.

Detectives have discovered that the scam involves an 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. 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. The suspect then takes the victim’s card to a nearby ATM to withdraw as much money as possible.

To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, the Niagara Regional Police Service offers the following safety tips:

  • 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.

For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud, visit the NRPS website or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.

If anyone has any information please 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.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

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