The Town of Grimsby is warning residents to ignore text messages claiming they have unpaid parking tickets. While the town has not issued a specific alert on its website, residents are advised that municipal officials do not send notifications about parking tickets via text message. Residents are strongly advised not to click on any links contained in these messages or provide personal or financial information to the senders. The Government of Ontario has identified this as an ongoing scam that uses fake notices to solicit fines.
These messages are classified as smishing, or SMS phishing, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The center advises that if you receive a suspicious text, you can report it by calling 1-888-495-8501 or by visiting their website online.
If you have received a message and are unsure of its validity, you can verify your account status by calling the Town of Grimsby Municipal Law Enforcement department directly at 905-945-9634. Similar warnings have been issued by multiple municipalities across Canada throughout 2026 as part of a widespread effort to alert the public to these coordinated fake billing campaigns.
