The Ontario government is notifying the public of a text message-based phishing scam going on in the Southern part of the province.
So, if you get a text message pertaining to be from “ServiceOntario” and mentioning a refund of $120 for the recently announced removal of licence plate stickers, do not click the link. Oh, and tell all your friends and grandparents who aren’t on Twitter not to click it either.
SCAM Alert: If you receive a text message from “Service Ontario” with a link to collect your licence plate sticker refund, don’t click the link. It’s a scam.@ServiceOntario doesn’t send refunds through text.
More info: https://t.co/raNlqFZvCw pic.twitter.com/Fv4pfOjNAO— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) February 28, 2022
The scam apparently looks to take advantage of the confusion surrounding Ontario premier Doug Ford’s recent announcement to remove the stickers from vehicle licence plates and waive the drivers licence plate renewal fee. The rule change is effective as of March 13, but also retroactive to March 2020, meaning those who have renewed their plates in the previous two years will qualify for a refund.
Said refund will not, however, be sent via text message.
“Individuals should not open or click on any links as this message is not authorized by ServiceOntario and is a scam,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Affairs said in a statement.
“ServiceOntario will not contact you directly to provide a link to a refund. Ontarians will receive refunds for licence plate stickers directly by cheque through the mail in late March and through April.”
Those who receive the text message — and those unfortunate enough to have opened the attached link — are asked to inform their local police or dial the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-795-8501.
Keyword: Ontario police warn of text-message licence sticker scam in Mississauga and Brampton