OPP warning of the latest phishing scam circulating in the Ottawa Valley

Police are telling members of the public to be wary of text messages demanding payments for a parking ticket.

According to officers with the Upper Ottawa Valley detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), this scam is circulating in the region.

Police say the message sent to victims’ phones will demand the “immediate” payment from a ticket. The message will threaten that if people don’t click on the link provided their vehicle could be impounded, their licence suspended or legal action taken.

Officials are warning that these sorts of messages are not real.

“This is a type of phishing fraud in which criminals trick victims to providing personal information or clicking links to fraudulent sites to make payments,” the press release reads.

People should never click on links from unsolicited messages or download attachments from the messages. Police said sometimes spelling mistakes in the messages could indicate that it is a scam.

“Don’t trust a message just because the email address looks legitimate; fraudsters can spoof the address,” the release adds.

Recently OPP sent out a warning to the public about how common scammers are spoofing government bodies and other known organizations.

Police say people often impersonate trusted organizations claiming there are issues with the person’s bank account. They pressure victims to provide information, ask for transferring of funds or tell the person they are helping in a fake investigation.

To appear more credible they can spoof numbers or emails, meaning they look like the call is coming from police or another organization. Emails with fake logos or contact information are also attached.

“Do not trust caller ID,” officials said.