Cab driver saves 92-year-old passenger from $25,000 scam
A cab driver in California was awarded by local police after saving a woman from a $25,000 scam.
Rajbir Singh is the owner of Roseville Cab who was called to drive a 92-year-old woman from her house to a nearby bank. But when he started to learn more about the woman’s errand, Singh became suspicious.
The woman revealed that someone had called her and asked for $25,000, according to CNN. But when Singh pressed for more information about the caller, the rider became quiet. She eventually told Singh that it was the IRS looking to settle her outstanding debt. When the driver convinced the woman to let him call the number back, he realized that the caller was likely someone posing as an IRS employee.
Despite Singh’s warnings, the woman was still convinced that she owed the money and wouldn’t allow Singh to drive her home. So he came up with a better idea.
“Raj pleaded with the woman to reconsider so they agreed to stop by the Roseville Police Station to ask an officer,” a Facebook post by the Roseville Police Department reads. “While the woman waited in the cab, Raj came into the station and requested to speak with an officer. He waited for a while but finally was able to speak with an officer who then spoke with the woman waiting in the cab. Sure enough, it was a scam.”
Police helped to convince the rider that she shouldn’t be paying the scammers, after which she agreed to let Singh take her home. Singh was recognized for his response to the potential danger in the form of the “great citizen award.”
“We love this story because several times throughout, Raj could have just taken his customer to her stop and not worried about her wellbeing. He took time from his day and had the great forethought to bring the almost-victim to the police station for an official response,” the department’s post continues. “His quick thinking saved a senior citizen $25,000 and for that, we greatly appreciate his efforts.”
Singh additionally received a $50 gift card, and lots of praise from people on social media.
“You are a man of the utmost integrity & we need more people like you,” one person wrote. Another commented, “Being a Sr. Citizen myself I thank you Raj for looking out for us older citizens and thank you Roseville Police for taking such good care of us too.”
Singh didn’t immediately reply to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment. However, he told CNN, “I am an honest guy, and these are old people. They need help...it just made sense.”
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