East Algoma OPP – Ministry of Transportation (MTO) validation permit Refund Scam

The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind the public that there are many schemes being used to defraud the public and businesses.

In particular, people are receiving text and email messages advises them of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) validation permit (or valtag) refund. Then click on a link to claim your refund. Do not click on the link. The MTO does NOT send text or email messages to the public.

Never give out any personal, credit or banking information to anyone over the phone, by letter, email, fax or any other means of communication. Never provide anyone your Social Insurance Number (SIN) over the phone.

Any legitimate agency will never request a payment by Interac e-transfer, online currency such as bitcoin, pre-paid credit cards or pre-paid gift cards such as Google Play, iTunes, Vanilla, etc. Scammers will ask to purchase large denomination gift cards as form of payment.

OPP