SCAM ALERT: Watch Out for the Latest Scam in Mississauga

If you receive a text message notifying you that you committed a driving infraction and have to pay up, ignore it–it’s a scam.

Peel police are currently warning residents to be wary of a new text/email scam and avoid clicking links from unknown sources.

Police recently shared a post on Twitter that shows a screen grab of a troubling text message informing someone that he or she has been “detected with a traffic infringement.”

The text, although it appears it was sent from “Corazon Jockers” (which doesn’t sound particularly official or law enforcement-y), does look somewhat authentic to the untrained eye. It boasts both an “infringement number” and “date of detection.” It demands a payment of $278.80 (not a crazy or unbelievable amount for a supposed traffic violation) and asks the reader to click a link.

If you or someone you know ends up with this message, ignore and do not pay.

The text might cause a little extra confusion because Peel police recently reminded people that they can report erratic/dangerous driving through an online reporting tool.

Please remember–and tell others who are more vulnerable to scams–that, should your driving be identified as dangerous by another motorist and reported to police, you will receive a snail-mail letter from authorities, not a text message.