The people of Canada are being targeted by a phishing scam from scammers pretending to be ‘City of Montreal’. These text messages are sent from +1 263-770-4772 and labelled ‘Ville de Montréal’
The scammers claim the receiver has an unpaid parking ticket on January 24, 2024.
”Ville de Montréal :
La contravention de stationnement qui vous a été remise le 24 janvier 2024 est toujours impayée. Pour éviter la suspension éventuelle de votre permis de conduire, assurez-vous que le paiement est effectué via notre portail de paiement libre-service au https://villedemontreal-paiementcontravention.ca /secure avant le 27 mars 2024”
However, the website in the text message isn’t a legit website to pay parking ticket fees.
How the City of Montreal Parking Ticket Scam Text Works
The phishing scam starts with a fake text message that claims the recipient has an unpaid parking ticket. There’s a link attached for immediate payment. When you click on the link it takes you to a fake website that looks like the legit City of Montreal site.
The aim of this scam is to get your personal and credit card information when you visit the site. Your personal information includes; your name, address, telephone number, and email address. While your credit card information entails your credit card number, cardholder’s name, expiration date, signature, CVC code.
By providing this information, you’ve exposed yourself to identity theft, credit card fraud, and other types of cyber crime.
You could also expose your mobile device viruses, spywares, malware, when you click on the link. This is because the website likely contains spywares, malware and viruses which are harmful to devices and can hack and steal your information.
What To Do About this Phishing Scam
Do Not Click On The Link
Don’t attempt to click on the link no matter how legit. Clicking links inside a scam text message would either direct you to a fraudulent website or install malware into your device.
Report The Scam Text
Contact City of Montreal to report the scam immediately. This can help them warn other people and stop future scams.
Block The Sender’s Number or Email
The final step you should take is blocking the telephone number or email address that sent the scam text message. You can do this by adding the number or email address in your phone’s spam list.
Delete The message
Deleting the scam text message will prevent you from mistakenly replying to it.
What To Do If You’re a Victim of unpaid Parking Ticket Scam Text
Inform Your Credit Card Company
If you provided your credit card details on this scam site, the first step you should take is calling your credit card company. They need to know that your card details have been compromised so as to closely monitor and prevent any unauthorized charges.
Place a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert
Fraud alert is sort of like a two-factor authentication process for accessing your credit, whereas a credit freeze blocks anyone from accessing your credit — until you remove it. The credit freeze is the best option for you, if you know you wouldn’t be using the credit card anytime soon.
Scan Your Device with a Malware Checker Tool
There’s a likelihood that your device has been infested by malware or spyware after visiting Usps.baa. Scanning your device with a malware removal tool will detect and remove any viruses, spyware, or other malicious programs. See best malware device tools here
The Bottom Line
The unpaid parking ticket text message is not from City of Montreal but a phishing text sent by scammers. This scam uses threat tactics to trick people into clicking on the link in order to steal personal and credit card details. Don’t fall for it!
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