Got a text about a Vancouver parking ticket? It's a scam, city says
The City of Vancouver is warning residents not to click on links or give personal information in response to text messages about overdue parking tickets claiming to be from the city.
"We have been notified of a scam targeting people through text messages requesting they pay an overdue parking ticket," the city said on its municipal Twitter account Wednesday.
"This is not the city, we do not notify the public of fines through texting, media or social media."
The only means the city uses to collect parking-related fines are tickets placed on vehicles or mailed to their registered owners, according to the city's website.
The city advised recipients to report the fraudulent messages to their cellphone providers and then delete them.
Vancouver is far from the only government entity scammers have impersonated in an attempt to gain access to money and personal information.
Within days of the announcement that ICBC would be offering drivers a one-time payment aimed at lightening the burden of high gas prices, fraudsters had already begun sending scam texts claiming rebates were available.
Likewise, RCMP detachments and municipal police departments across B.C. have warned of scammers "spoofing" their phone numbers and attempting to convince people to pay supposed fines, often demanding payment in cryptocurrency.
Recommended Articles
-
Child found body of deer shot in residential B.C. neighbourhood; hunter fined
A Kelowna man has pleaded guilty to a pair of B.C. Wildlife Act offences related to the killing of a mule deer buck in a residential neighbourhood last year. -
Woman who was stalked by police officer ex-boyfriend says justice system failed her
Despite a police misconduct probe that found a high-ranking B.C. officer had stalked and harassed his ex-girlfriend for years, a criminal investigation into the case did not result in charges. -
Vancouver agencies among those to receive funding for monkeypox awareness campaigns
Three community organizations will receive a combined total of $550,000 from the federal government to raise awareness and reduce stigma about monkeypox.
-
Police seek public assistance identifying man in attempted child luring
Calgary police seek public assistance identifying an unknown man who they believe tried to lure a young girl who was out with her mother and sister Thursday night. -
Small wildfire burning near Banff's east gates
A small wildfire was burning Friday night around 8:30 p.m., according to the national park's Twitter feed. -
Indigenous group walks to honour loved ones lost to overdoses
More than a dozen people walked from Morley to Calgary Friday, in support of those working towards sobriety and to pay tribute to loved ones who have lost their lives to addiction. -
Divisional clash of Lions, Stampeders features quarterback intrigue
Which quarterback will grab the spotlight is a prominent subplot of Saturday's divisional clash between the B.C. Lions and host Calgary Stampeders. -
Sault airport traffic slowly recovers from pandemic
While improving, air traffic in the Sault is currently at three-quarters of pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers. -
High-risk sex offender wanted Canada-wide after leaving halfway house, VPD says
Vancouver police are warning the public that a high-risk sex offender released from prison Friday morning has gone missing from his halfway house in the city. -
Pedestrian critically injured after being hit by vehicle along Toronto waterfront
A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle along the city’s waterfront on Friday night. -
Calgary police, humane society seize 42 animals in northeast Calgary
Police and the Calgary Humane Society have launched a joint investigation after seizing 42 animals from a northeast Calgary property Friday morning. -
B.C.'s first dumpling festival bridges cultures through food
On the surface it’s a food festival, but the purpose of the inaugural B.C. Dumpling Festival is to fight racism by bridging cultures through dumplings.
