Toronto parking ticket fraud, police warn

Toronto police are warning motorists about a scam involving fake texts asking drivers to pay overdue parking tickets.

John Brooker of Toronto said he was shocked when he recently received a text saying he had an overdue parking ticket he had to pay or risk losing his license.

“They threatened that if (I) didn't pay, my license would be revoked and all kinds of bad things would happen,” Brooker told CTV News Toronto.

She said she clicked on a link in the text message but became concerned when she was asked to enter her personal details, including her car information.

Suspicious, Booker deleted the text, “I'm glad I didn't fall for the trap.”

Toronto police said they do not communicate with people via text.

Toronto police are warning of a parking ticket scam in which fraudulent texts are sent to motorists to prompt them to pay overdue parking tickets.

“It's a classic scam, there's a sense of urgency behind it and there's a threat of suspension, and that's not the way government works, so it's absolutely a scam,” said Det. David Coffey, Toronto Police Financial Crimes Unit, to CTV News Toronto.

Clicking on the link gives scammers access to your phone and information that could lead to identity theft.

There are variations to this scam, as you may receive a text saying you will pay for a speeding ticket or other traffic violation.

“Toronto police do not send text messages reminding people about traffic violations, so if you receive one, you should delete it. Don't answer that,” Coffey said.

The broker was relieved that he hadn't been duped.