Municipal Law Enforcement Office warns of parking ticket scam in Kawartha Lakes

The Municipal Law Enforcement Office and the Kawartha Lakes Police Service (KLPS) are aware of a parking ticket scam happening in Kawartha Lakes.

A resident received a text message from an unknown number about a parking ticket they allegedly got last week. The text message asked for payment immediately and when the link in the message was clicked, it asked for credit card information and other details.

The parking ticket scam appears to include various versions of the text. Another version reported to us included an image (see below) from the Ministry of Transportation Canada followed by a link to make a payment.

Please know that these parking ticket texts are a scam. The City of Kawartha Lakes will never contact a member of the public with a ticket reminder by text message.

If you’re ever unsure about a parking ticket, or a text you’ve received about a parking ticket, please call the municipality first before clicking on any links. Our Municipal Law Enforcement Office can be reached by calling 705-324-9411 extension 1212 or emailing bylawcomplaints@kawarthalakes.ca.

KLPS are also aware of the parking ticket scam. If you’ve received similar messages and would like to report them to KLPS, you can do so on their Online Crime Reporting webpage.

“Only share personal details on secure, legitimate websites and avoid sharing banking and personal information to unsolicited callers, emails or through text messages,” said Sergeant Ryan Boutin, Kawartha Lakes Police Service.

Ministry of Transportation Scam Alert:

The following is one variation of the parking ticket scam that has been reported to us: