Unpaid parking fines may lead to a text message that's a potential scam
In the quiet town of Campbell River, residents have been receiving suspicious text messages claiming to be from ICBC, warning of service suspension due to unpaid parking fees. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has issued a warning to the public about this scam, urging residents not to interact with or provide personal information to such messages.
Const. Maury Tyre of the RCMP has stated that such scams have become more common and many people have fallen victim to them. Tyre emphasizes the importance of not engaging with or providing personal information to suspicious texts or emails, even if they appear to be from a corporate organization. He advises against interacting with or providing personal information to a corporate organization if the legitimacy of the text or email is doubtful.
The legitimacy of a text or email can be confirmed by contacting the company directly, rather than clicking on the link provided by the scammer. Legitimate contact numbers for companies can be found on the back of credit cards and on official company websites. Tyre stresses the need for caution when receiving texts or emails from corporate organizations, as scammers may attempt to deceive people into providing personal information.
Multiple community members in Campbell River have reported receiving these scam texts. However, a search of recent days does not provide any information about any company in Campbell River starting a text scam involving unpaid parking fees. The claim that the texts are from ICBC is fraudulent.
The RCMP is releasing this warning to the public to protect residents from falling victim to these scams. Tyre suggests that if a person receives a text or email from a corporate organization and is unsure of its legitimacy, they should contact the company directly. This is a safer way to verify the authenticity of a text or email, as opposed to clicking on the link provided by the scammer.
The police on Vancouver Island are urging the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious texts or emails to the RCMP. By following these precautions, residents can protect themselves and their personal information from falling victim to these scams.
