It appears the criminals are more reactive to recent events, quickly capitalizing on new announcements to create almost-believable scams.
The latest to emerge is a scam linked to the refund of licence plate sticker fees to individual car owners in Ontario.
The Ontario government announced on February 22, that it is eliminating licence plate renewal fees and the requirement to have a licence plate sticker for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds, effective March 13, 2022.
Licence plate sticker renewal fees paid since March 1, 2020, will be refunded to individuals [see below].
Fraudsters have been quick to capitalize on the provincial announcement.
Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) yesterday issued a scam alert yesterday on the refund process.
“SCAM Alert: If you receive a text message from Service Ontario with a link to collect your licence plate sticker refund, don’t click the link. It’s a scam,” said a DRPS advisory.
It pointed out that Service Ontario doesn’t send refunds through text.
