Crime Stoppers software system hacked

FERGUS – Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW) has put a pause on taking tips after a breach to the software system that ensures the anonymity of tipsters.

According to an Oct. 22 statement on the CSGW website, earlier this year hackers stole data that includes “14,898 CSGW tips, dating from 1996 to 2025" and "1,407 names contained in those stolen tips.”

CSGW doesn’t know if the names belong to people who identified themselves while submitting tips or to people named as suspects.

“We are working to bring back an anonymous option as quickly as we safely can,” the website states.

'A trying situation'

Navigate360/P3 is the company that provided the software.

The breach was uncovered by the CBC and to date Guelph Wellington and Toronto Crime Stoppers chapters have stopped taking tips.

But the breach likely impacts other Crime Stoppers units in Ontario and perhaps across Canada, said CSGW board chair Dave Elloway in a phone interview.

“This has been a trying situation from the time this came to light,” he said on Oct. 23.

“We’ve done what we believe is appropriate – we paused the system and paused intake from the public until we can have confidence in maintaining anonymity for tipsters.”

Elloway said tips to the Guelph Wellington chapter, which has been around since 1988, have greatly assisted Guelph Police and Wellington OPP in numerous investigations over the years.

“The public are the ones who are harmed by this,” Elloway said.

“Being anonymous means people don’t have to tangle in the court system. The police will lose this service for a period of time. And when it’s fixed, it will take time to build future trust again.”

Breach took place in March

Elloway said CSGW's lawyer is dealing with Navigate360/P3 and board members will consider finding a new vendor if they are not satisfied.

According to a timeline provided on the CSGW website, Navigate360 confirmed its systems had been accessed by “unauthorized persons” in March but affirmed the system was safe.

In April, Guelph Police and Wellington OPP were updated on the situation, but Navigate360 had not advised CSGW its data had been taken.

In May, Navigate360 said U.S.-based Crime Stoppers programs had been the victim of an attack by hackers, but stolen information had been recovered.

By June, however, Navigate360 informed CSGW that “14,898 records had been stolen, exposing 1,407 names between 1996 and 2025," the CSGW timeline notes.

“No further details were provided on the information exposed, and no copies of the information exposed was provided by Navigate360.”

In June and July CSGW began looking for another provider and hired a lawyer who specializes in cyber incidents.

In September Navigate360 provided some information to CSGW regarding names and categories of personally identifiable information.

On Oct. 21, CBC published its story on the data breach. The next day CSGW paused the intake of tips to the program.

“Honestly, we found out more from the CBC than Navigate360,” Elloway said.

Tipsters sometimes volunteer details

He stressed Crime Stoppers never asks for personal information from tipsters, but sometimes details are volunteered, including:

• names and addresses of the tipsters;
• phone numbers and bank information for those who received cash rewards; and
• details about crimes and names of potential suspects or other witnesses.

Unable to promise anonymity, Elloway said CSGW's only course was to remove the ability to submit tips from its website, suspend the intake function online and formally direct the National Anonymous Call Centre (NACC) to cease accepting or processing any new information intended for Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington.

The Guelph Police Service also issued a press release stating that, as a precaution, it stopped promoting Crime Stoppers as a reporting option in June, when it learned of a possible breach.

It states police software, which is different and separate from CSGW’s, remains unaffected.

Anyone with information about a crime or public safety concern is urged to contact the Guelph Police Service or Wellington OPP directly through their non-emergency lines. 

To report an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911.

“We know this incident is difficult for many people. We will keep investigating and pressing for answers, and we commit to sharing those answers as soon as we can do so,” states the CSGW website.

“The best thing we can do right now is to be honest and transparent,” Elloway said.