Peel Regional Police are warning residents about a scam involving text messages sent to phones regarding an Ontario licence plate sticker refund.
The police shared a screenshot of one of the scam text messages sent to them by a follower, in a post on Twitter on Feb. 27. The text reads “Service Ontario*: As you know we have removed licence plate stickers on all vehicles, so we are giving you back $120.00 CAD. Get hold of it here : (link) *Data rates may apply.”
The police said Service Ontario does not send refunds through text messages and asks residents to verify whether they are qualified for a licence plate sticker refund on the agency’s official website, advising that Service Ontario will mail refunds to qualified applicants’ homes.
On Feb. 22, the Ontario government announced that effective March 13, 2022, the province will scrap the licence plate renewal fees and the corresponding stickers for roughly 8 million residents who own passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles, and mopeds.
Premier Doug Ford said at the time that the government will introduce legislation that would enable the province to refund eligible individual vehicle owners for any licence plate renewal fees paid since March 2020, and those who are eligible will receive a cheque in the mail starting at the end of March and throughout April.
To get a refund cheque, vehicle owners will need to confirm the address on their licence is up-to-date by March 7 online or by phone with Service Ontario. Any outstanding fees, fines, or tolls must be paid before receiving the refund.
Eliminating renewal fees will save vehicle owners $120 a year in southern Ontario and $60 a year in Northern Ontario for passenger and light commercial vehicles, according to government estimates.
