Author: mccpca

Scam Alert – Ottawa street parking meters

The City of Ottawa is warning residents of a recently discovered scam at parking meters involving fraudulent QR codes. The City does not provide QR code on parking meters for payment. Please see details from the city on the following link:
https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/city-news/newsroom/city-alerts-residents-new-qr-code-scam-parking-machines-ottawa

There’s also a CTV news report at:
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/city-of-ottawa-warns-of-qr-code-scam-at-parking-meters-1.6995472

Here’s what the QR code looks like, it takes you to poybyphone.online rather than paybyphone.com.
[Parking Meter QR Code Scam photo from Ottawa City press release]

Scam Alert! Beware of text scams for traffic violation payments

The City of Ottawa is warning residents of recent scam text messages seeking payment for alleged speeding infractions under the City’s Automated Speed Enforcement program (details of program
link – https://ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/road-safety/enforcement/automated-speed-enforcement-0)

Please note that Ottawa Police does not issue tickets by texting! Tickets are mailed to the registered plate owner of the vehicle with no demerit points, within 30 days. There are options for payment or response to the Provincial Offence Violation.

Ottawa Police provides safe trade locations and warnings on door-to-door contractors

1.  Project Safe Trade

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is providing three parking spots at three police stations to support safety when completing trades from online marketplaces and websites or any other type of personal sales.

Continue reading “Ottawa Police provides safe trade locations and warnings on door-to-door contractors” →

Commuters: Consider alternate routes to avoid traffic delays

This morning, the Ottawa Police Service monitored traffic flow at a number of Government of Canada locations with picket lines or large demonstrations. 

Tunney’s Pasture, Montreal Road, and Centrum Boulevard were subject to traffic congestion during the morning rush hour, and we can expect similar delays in the foreseeable future. 

Ottawa/Gatineau commuters who travel these routes are asked to be patient, continue to obey all traffic laws, and consider an alternative route when possible.

The Ottawa Police Service will continue to monitor traffic around identified picket sites and will keep the community updated on any major traffic disruptions.

Our policing role during legal strike action is to keep the peace and ensure public safety. We ask everyone participating in or impacted by the strike action to be patient, respectful and courteous at all strike or protest locations.

For the latest traffic updates, follow @Ottawa_Traffic or visit the interactive traffic map on ottawa.ca.

Be Fraud-Aware this Holiday Season

As we head into the holiday season, Ottawa Police Service, in partnership with 211, is reminding residents to be cautious of scams preying on your honesty, trust, good nature and sometimes fear. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, check it out – do your research.

Never feel pressured to provide information or make a financial contribution right away. In Ottawa, you can call 211 to speak to someone who can help you figure out if something is a scam,

IMPORTANT: If you’ve been a victim of fraud and lost money in a transaction, please report the incident to the Ottawa Police Service online reporting or by calling our Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300.

Common scams circulating right now include:
• Merchandise scams
• Emergency (aka “Grannie”) scams
• Canada Revenue Agency scams
• Tech support and Refund scams

If you’re not sure if something is a scam call or not, here are a few tips:
• Hang up. If someone says they are calling from a reputable organization, like your banking institution, you should be able to contact your banking institution and verify the caller’s information or claim.
• Call 211 or phone a friend! Don’t be embarrassed! It’s becoming harder and harder to tell what is legitimate and what is a scam. 211 Ontario has a wealth of fraud prevention information and can help point you in the right direction if you need additional resources or support.
• Check out the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website or call them at 1-888-495-8501. They have up-to-date information on the latest scams and how to report them.

For more information, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Phishing scam regarding unpaid parking tickets

Heather Pearl alert last week

The City is warning residents about a phishing scam currently underway in Ottawa.   People are receiving text messages regarding unpaid parking infractions. The texts include a link to a website that looks like ottawa.ca. Staff have worked with various internet service providers to have the fraudulent site taken down. It may take up to 24 hours for the site takedown to be reflected across the internet.   The City never requests or communicates about financial information through text message. If you receive one of these text messages, do not reply to it and do not follow the link.   Those who may have fallen victim to this fraud are asked to file a report with the Ottawa Police Service’s online reporting tool.  For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Tunney’s Pasture Redevelopment Input – Reminder

We’d like to take a moment to remind our neighbours that there is still time to apply to join the Tunney’s Pasture Communities Perspectives Group (CPG) to play a supporting role in the redevelopment of Tunney’s Pasture.  

Until August 26, any organization or individual that represents community interests can apply to take part in this small group hosted by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Canada Lands Company (CLC). Of course, Neighbours for Tunney’s shares the view that we’d like to ensure that a diverse variety of interests and perspectives are considered throughout the redevelopment of the non-federal development blocks at Tunney’s Pasture. 

Please consider the unique contributions that you could make and visit the CPG application form tab to learn more and complete the application.

We also encourage all local residents, community groups and stakeholders to explore these Engagement resources to follow the project and the consultation process. 

Finally, please continue to spread the word and invite others to join our ever-growing network of Neighbours for Tunney’s via email request to: NeighboursforTunneys@gmail.com

Your Neighbours for Tunney’s working group

www.neighboursfortunneys.ca

Beware of “grandparent scam”

Forwarded from Ottawa Police Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for July 22, 2022

Contact Cst. Stephanie Lemieux directly (east of O-Train, Line 2) at lemieuxs@ottawapolice.ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5290.

Contact Cst. Darren Joseph directly (west of O-Train, Line 2) at josephd@ottawapolice.ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5871.

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Watch out for “grandparent scam” fraudsters

The Ottawa Police Service is advising residents that the ‘grandparent’ scam is very active this summer, with 20 reports received in the past 7 days alone. Victims have been defrauded of large amounts of cash, ranging from $10,000 to 30,000.
Continue reading “Beware of “grandparent scam”” →

SPRING CLEANING – LOCK THEM UP

SPRING CLEANING?  THIEVES HELP CHAMPLAIN PARK RESIDENTS GET RID OF WANTED ITEMS!!

Summer weather is here and it gives us the chance to get back into the great outdoors. Warm weather also brings folks with fiendish intent to our community.  In the last month, there have been reports of stolen bicycles (locked up and out of sight) on Northwestern Ave., graffiti and gang tags popping up, inappropriate activities near Pontiac/Patricia Ave., and now a stolen car on Keyworth Ave. Thieves and unwelcome visitors are once again at work in the neighbourhood.  Often these intruders are looking for the easy mark to target!  Why not make it a challenge for them to walk off with your cherished possessions? Keep an eye out for each other and our residents and have a great summer!

TO DO LIST TO AVOID BEING TARGETED BY THIEVES:

Continue reading “SPRING CLEANING – LOCK THEM UP” →