City warns of scam phone text about speed camera tickets

Published Apr 28, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read

The City of Ottawa is warning residents about a phone text scam telling people they’ve been caught speeding in a school zone and demanding payment. Real automated speed enforcement tickets are sent by mail, the city says. It never solicits payments by text. Photo by Blair Crawford /Postmedia

No, you weren’t caught going 42 km/h in a school zone and, no, you don’t have until April 28 to pay the fine.

The scam texts began pinging Ottawa residents’ phones over the weekend, prompting the city to issue a warning that it never solicits payments by text message. If you are caught by one of the city’s growing network of automated speed enforcement cameras, your ticket will come the old-fashioned way — by Canada Post.

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“If you have received this scam text and provided any personal information, please contact the Ottawa Police Service immediately at 613-236-1222,” the city warned.

The scam texts read: “Our speed radar has identified your vehicle going 42 km/h, exceeding the authorized limit in a school zone. To resolve this infraction without appearing in court, please visit (the scam text includes a link to a website called “ottawa infractions”) before April 28, 2024.”

A real infraction notice comes by mail and includes a high resolution photo of the vehicle and its licence plate, including the date and time of the infraction, the location of the camera, the posted speed limit and the recorded speed of the vehicle. It also includes the signature and badge number of the bylaw officer who reviewed and certified the ticket.

The registered driver has 15 days from the day the ticket is received the ticket to either pay the fine or to opt for trial in Provincial Offences court.

Fines in a community safety zone such as a school are set by the province at $5 per km for 1-19 km/h over the limit, $7.50 per km for 20-29 km/h over and $12 per km for 30-49 km/h over the limit. At 50 km/h above the limit, a court appearance is mandatory.

The ticket also includes a $20 victim surcharge. The ASE tickets don’t include demerit point penalties since the ticket is sent to the registered owner and no driver is identified.

Ottawa’s 40 km/h school zone speed limits are in effect between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday from September to June, regardless of whether the school is open.

An automated speed enforcement camera near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Mooney’s Bay Place is one of 40 currently installed around the City of Ottawa, with funding for 20 more included in the 2024 transportation budget. Photo by Spencer Colby /Postmedia