Ontario Man Loses Over $3K in Mexican Taxi Shuttle Scam

Two Canadians are sharing their harrowing experiences of being scammed out of thousands of dollars during their Mexican vacations. Both incidents have raised concerns over the increasing sophistication of travel scams, prompting calls for better consumer protections.

Adam Attard from Mississauga recounted his unsettling experience while returning home from a trip near Cancun in July. At the airport, a seemingly helpful individual advised him and his girlfriend to switch terminals. After a brief shuttle ride, things took a turn. “They said it’s my word versus their word. So it’s my word versus a scammer’s word,” Attard told CTV News Toronto.

Attard described the moment the shuttle driver locked the doors, demanding payment by credit card before they could leave. “We couldn’t get out of the van. There were no visible latches or locks to open the door. The [shuttle] driver said, ‘You are not leaving until you pay the $3,'” Attard recalled. Though the driver insisted the initial payment failed, his card was subsequently charged a staggering $3,142.

Hoping for a resolution, Attard contacted the Royal Bank of Canada’s Visa customer care line. Initially reassured he would be refunded, he was later denied. “After I was told I would be covered, I was told because I punched in my PIN and did not get a receipt, they would not refund me anything,” he explained.

Glenn Egan from Toronto faced a similar ordeal during a family trip to Mexico City in March. A taxi ride, expected to cost around $15, instead resulted in a $2,300 charge. The driver, like in Attard’s case, claimed the card payment didn’t process and accepted cash. Shortly after, Egan received a bank notification confirming the hefty charge.

“I stepped out of the taxi and immediately got a text from RBC saying $2,300 had been charged to my Visa,” Egan said. Despite contacting Visa immediately, his efforts to contest the charge were fruitless for four months. “At the end, they said I didn’t get a receipt and without one, I can’t dispute the charges,” Egan lamented. “They say with Visa you’re protected against fraud and the fact they won’t step up is infuriating. It’s not 20 bucks, it’s $2,300.”

Responding to these incidents, an RBC spokesperson emphasized their commitment to tackling fraud, stating, “While we cannot comment on the specifics of this situation, we can advise that we take this matter seriously and are working with our client directly throughout the process to keep them informed.” They also highlighted the complexities of modern scams and their ongoing efforts with industry, government, and law enforcement to combat fraud.

Fortunately, after Egan’s outreach to CTV News, he received a full refund. Similarly, Attard was also reimbursed for the charges on his card.

To avoid such costly scams, travelers are urged to use licensed taxis or shuttles booked through reliable sources like hotels or tour companies. It’s also advisable to discuss payment methods and charges upfront to prevent unpleasant surprises.