A new scam is starting to make the rounds involving text messages designed to impersonate correspondence from Service Ontario.
The message claims the recipient has an unpaid speeding ticket issued by a roadside camera radar system. It threatens license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and credit score impact if the threatened sum isn't paid by a certain date.
Multiple people in the Barrie360 newsroom, for example, have received text messages of this nature over the course of Wednesday and Thursday.
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Further down the message, the term "DMV" is mentioned, which is not an official term in Ontario. It can also feature grammar issues and odd wording in places.
The link provided is not an official Ontario government site, and is fake.
Government agencies don't send payment demands or notices via text message or by phone. They are mailed to the address associated with the scanned licence plate in the case of a camera-issued ticket.
The OPP posted to social media earlier in the day to further notify the public and provide tips on how to address the issue.
🚨 SCAM ALERT – Fake Service Ontario Texts 🚨
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) August 7, 2025
Nottawasaga OPP are aware that there’s a new fraud going around that looks like it’s from Service Ontario. The message claims you have an unpaid speeding ticket and threatens license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and… pic.twitter.com/qt9jsWPi4a
