This is a bit of a heads-up regarding a scam operating in Renfrew and surrounding areas.
Smishing is a term that applies to an unscrupulous type gaining access to a phone number and then using it to fraudulently dupe people out of their money, in this case falsely reaching out to people to inform them that they have unpaid parking tickets in the Town of Renfrew.
Smishing will also target an individual’s personal information.
Both the town and the Ontario Provincial Police are aware of the scam and are encouraging people to spread the word so that this practice can come to an end in this area.
For the record, parking tickets are either issued directly to the “offender” or are left on the windshield of the vehicle. If there’s any follow-up connected with the issue of a ticket, that can only be done in person or through the mail. The Town of Renfrew will never request a payment for an unpaid parking ticket via phone or text message. Never.
If anyone receives any kind of suspicious communication involving a parking ticket, they’re encouraged to contact the town’s by-law enforcement officer directly for confirmation or verification. In fact, if in any doubt whatsoever, make this call.
613-432-4848 EXTENSION 121
613-504-2878
COVER PHOTO”. Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash
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