Toronto man felt 'threatened' police would revoke his licence in parking ticket scam
Toronto police are warning motorists of a scam involving fraudulent texts asking drivers to settle overdue parking tickets.
John Brooker, of Toronto, said he was recently shocked to receive a text saying he had an overdue parking ticket that he needed to pay right away or risk losing his licence.
“They threatened if [I] didn’t pay up, my licence would be revoked, and all sorts of bad things would happen,” Brooker told CTV News Toronto.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
He said he clicked on the link in the text message but grew concerned when he was asked to input his personal information, including information about his car.
Booker, suspicious, deleted the text: “I was happy I didn’t fall into the trap.”
Toronto police said they do not contact people by text.
Toronto police warn of a parking ticket scam where fraudulent texts are being sent out to tell motorists to settle overdue parking tickets.
“It’s a classic fraud where it has a sense of urgency behind it and has threats of suspension, and that’s not the way the government works, so it’s absolutely fraud,” Det. David Coffey, with the Toronto Police Financial Crimes Unit, told CTV News Toronto.
Clicking on the link could give scammers access to your phone, providing them with information that could lead to identity theft.
There are variations of this particular scam, as you could also get a text saying you owe money for a speeding ticket or other traffic violation.
“Toronto police will not send text messages reminding people of traffic violations, so if you get a text message like this, you should delete it. Do not respond to it,” Coffey said.
Brooker is relieved he didn’t get scammed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.