Fake Canadian transport tokens

[Figleaf]

Two Arrested For Alleged TTC Token Scam
2010/11/12 | CityNews.ca Staff

Police say they’ve uncovered a token counterfeiting scam that is costing the TTC millions of dollars.

Two Toronto men – Paul Kim and Vincent Ham – were arrested on Nov. 1 while allegedly picking up a shipment of 4,000 fake coins shipped from China. They were charged with fraud and attempting to bring in property obtained by crime.

“The Canadian Border Services Agency intercepted a package with allegedly fraudulent TTC tokens in it,” said Const. Wendy Drummond. “The package was destined for a mailbox here in Toronto.”

The TTC brought in the gold and silver token back in 2006, on the heels of a counterfeiting scam that robbed the system of $10 million. The two tones were supposed to make the coin more difficult to copy.

The new fakes have subtle differences from real tokens, including a less-defined outer edge, inconsistent spacing between letters, and the second “T” in Toronto appears cut off. They only work in fare boxes, where collectors must visually check for authenticity.

"When the system is being bled of 2,000 tokens a day, it is significant,” said the TTC’s Brad Ross. “So we are grateful that police are making arrests.”

Source: City NewsToronto

[Figleaf]

Now that I have one of these, I was hoping it was fake. Not so. According to CBC, the fake ones can be recognised because:

• The top of the second "t" in Toronto appears to be cut off.
• The ridges found on the outside edges of the fake token aren't as clearly defined as those on real ones.
• The spacing of the letters is not consistent.

To which may be added that they work in fare boxes, but not in turnstiles.

Peter

[brandm24]

Oh no, it's real.   Only collectors like us are disappointed wnen we DON'T get a fake. Keep trying, Peter.

Bruce

[quaziright]

Now that Presto has been fully rolled out, tokens have not been sold since earlier in the year. If you still have any left, you can only use them at the cash box in front of the TTC desk and he/she will open the gate for you. Many subway stops no longer have a manned ttc booth, so you will necessarily have to use the presto machine and get a one time paper ticket or renew your pass. Or alternately attempt to jump the gate and hope you don’t get caught