Shahroze Rauf | News Editor
Featured Image: York students and faculty should take extra care when driving in pedestrian-heavy zones. | Excalibur Publications
A Reddit user warned other York students and staff about an on-campus auto scammer spotted near Winters College.
The post stated: “I encountered a gentleman today just south of the Winters’ parking lot, who gently threw himself in front of a car.” “He leaned heavily into the hood and then grabbed his arm shouting ‘Ow! What’s your license? I’m going to call 911 on you.’ It’s a tactic to get the driver to panic and pay-out the ‘victim’ so that they’ll avoid pressing charges.”
The post stated that it is not yet clear if this auto scammer was a routine occurrence on that area of campus. The post warned bystanders to stop and support any driver coming into contact with such an individual and to share information to stop scammers like this.
Campus security at York holds policies and services that ensure the safety of students and faculty on-campus.
“The Community Safety Department offers a number of different resources and services to help keep our community safe and provide support to community members,” as stated on York’s Community Safety Department website.
“York takes community safety very seriously,” says Acting Chief Spokesperson for York Yanni Dagonas. “We always strive to ensure community members feel safe and have the support and services they need.”
York does ensure to release security bulletins if there is a public threat to the student population regarding a reported incident. In the past, many incidents have occurred on the York campus making some students wary about their safety.
“York should get better security camera covering in parking lots to stop auto scammers,” says second-year journalism student James Mackin. “You ever heard of people falling on an elevator in a mall and then suing the mall? That’s what they’re doing, with cars.”
“This needs to be brought to the attention of all students,” says second-year journalism student Caroline Petrucci, “to give them the opportunity to get dash cameras or be more alert.”
Dagonas also adds that there have not been any official complaints of fraudulent behaviour related to the reported auto scam.
“The University encourages anyone with information about fraud to contact Toronto Police Service directly at (416) 808-2222 or York Security at (416) 650-8000 ext. 58000. If students have any questions or concerns, we encourage them to contact Security Services which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Dagonas says.
The official government of Ontario website also gives tips on how to deal with auto scammers if you are involved with one in an accident.
“While we recognize that it can be stressful at the scene of an accident, it is important that you collect the relevant information at the time of the accident that will help you reject fraud by giving your insurance company the real story,” the website states.
