Background of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto

Canada

🚨 Fake Metro Ticket Scam

💬 Scammers usually target tourists carrying large amounts of money or looking confused and offer to help you purchase a Metro ticket. They will show you a piece of paper that looks like a ticket but is actually just a piece of paper with a barcode or an intricate design on it. Once you paid the money, you realize that you have been scammed.

💡 Be aware of suspicious people congregating around major tourist hubs or Metro stops. Avoid purchasing Metro tickets from anyone other than official boucher machines or personnel at the entrance.

🚨 Fake Police Officers Scam

💬 This scam is usually executed by two scammers working together. One will usually identify himself as an undercover police officer and will inform the tourist that he suspects that they are carrying fake money or drugs. He will search their wallet and return them a handful of counterfeit bills, asking them to pay for the rest.

💡 Always ask to see credentials, and never submit to search without a legal warrant. Never give out your personal information like passport details until you are sure they are authentic law enforcement officers, and consider filing a complaint against them if they are impersonating a police officer.

🚨 Bait-and-Switch Hotel Booking Scam

💬 Scammers will post fake listings for fake hotels at drastically reduced prices on various accommodation websites. When the tourist arrives at the address, they will be faced with a closed business or an empty lot. They will then be asked to pay additional fees or be referred to a different (usually much more expensive) hotel.

💡 Be careful when booking hotels online, and make sure to double check the reviews and ratings of the accommodation. Contact the hotel directly to ensure that their website and reservation system are legitimate.

🚨 Taxi Meter Overcharge Scam

💬 Scammers will use outdated or tampered taxi meters to charge an inflated price for the ride. This is usually done in tourist spots like the airport or cruise terminal, where tourists are less likely to be familiar with typical taxi prices.

💡 Check the meter before getting in the taxi, and ask to have it reset if you suspect anything is off. Compare prices with other services such as Uber or Lyft to get an idea of what the normal rate is.

🚨 Quick Change Scam

💬 This scam consists of a scam artist giving the tourist change in a confusing manner, usually through the use of multiple bills, coins, and even different currencies. In the end, the scammer usually leaves with more money than the tourist.

💡 Be wary of anyone approaching you in a crowded area such as a cafe or a tourist site. Always count your change twice and resist the urge to be generous, as scammers will usually try to catch you off guard with their fast-talking.

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