WELLINGTON COUNTY – A new, online scam is making the rounds in Wellington County and surrounding areas.
A text message, falsely claiming a speed camera ticket needs urgent payment, appears to be sent from Service Ontario.
The message says if a ticket isn’t paid by a certain date the recipient will be penalized with demerit points, toll booth service fees, a dinged credit score, prosecution, reporting to a database, and a suspended licence and vehicle registration.
A link is also included, redirecting to a browser where the recipient is asked to share sensitive information.
Infractions captured by cameras in the county are sent via mail, through Canada Post — not via text message.
The scam has gained attention in recent weeks as Wellington County, the OPP and Guelph police spread the word.
Messages have also been reported from Leamington, Lakeshore Pelee Island, Essex, Tecumseh and Kingsville, according to police.
Don Kudo, who leads the county’s speeding camera program, said county staff have received phone calls about the messages.
Neither the OPP or the county could point to any instance of a local resident falling victim to the scam.
Wellington OPP media staffer Matthew Burton told the Advertiser that scams are everywhere and constantly evolving.
“Now adding in the mix [are] speed cameras,” he said.
Speaking to scams generally, Burton said there have been “multiple victims.”
“It’s not an oddity; this happens all the time,” he said.
Education and awareness are important for prevention, especially for older people, and when a scam is primarily internet-based or using artificial intelligence, he said.
But Burton suggested this latest scam takes a broad approach, rather than focus on a particular demographic.
Signs of a scam message to look out for include:
- incorrect grammar;
- email associated in contact list included a jumble of letters or exclamation marks;
- a link to click or tap on;
- requesting personal information;
- demanding payment; and
- urgent deadlines.
A Little Black Book of Scams detailing different scams and how to handle them can be found online by clicking or tapping here.
If you are the recipient of a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you have been a victim of a fraud, you can report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visiting the Anti-Fraud Centre website.
