City of Ottawa warns of QR code scam at parking meters
A City of Ottawa parking meter is seen in this 2016 file photo. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News Ottawa)
The City of Ottawa is warning residents of a recently discovered scam at parking meters involving fraudulent QR codes.
A sticker with a fake QR code has been attached to various machines which, when scanned with a smartphone, navigates residents to a fraudulent version of the PayByPhone website.
"Residents are asked not to scan any QR code that has been placed on a Pay & Display machine, as the City does not include this option on the machines," the City of Ottawa said Friday.
An example of a fraudulent sticker with a malicious QR code is seen on the right, compared to the official sticker seen on City of Ottawa parking machines on the left. The QR code has been scrambled to prevent it from being scanned by readers. (City of Ottawa/handout)
The City's stickers seen on parking machines do not include QR codes. Instead, they tell users to visit paybyphone.com, download an app in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store or call 613-691-1700. The fraudulent stickers include a QR code that sends users to a website URL that includes the phrase "poy by phone."
If you've fallen victim to this scam, you are encouraged to contact your credit card company and inform the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222.
"There are about 650 Pay & Display machines throughout Ottawa, and staff are inspecting them all to remove the fraudulent stickers. If you see a QR code on any of these machines, call 3-1-1 to alert staff so that the stickers can be removed immediately," the City of Ottawa said.
More information on how to safely pay for parking on Ottawa’s streets can be found on ottawa.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What we know about the reported suspect behind apparent Trump assassination attempt
A gunman attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday at Trump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida, authorities said.
BREAKING
BREAKING Former prominent BBC news anchor gets suspended sentence for indecent images of children on phone
Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, once one of the most prominent media figures in Britain, was given a suspended prison sentence Monday for indecent images of children on his phone.
NEW
NEW What to expect as MPs return to the House of Commons for dynamic fall sitting
The fall sitting of Parliament begins Monday, as members of Parliament resume their work in the House of Commons for the first time since June.
Fall back: When does the time change?
The signs of the upcoming autumn season are here as Canadians are starting to notice the skies getting darker earlier, and brightening later.
Tito Jackson's family says the Jackson 5 member has died at 70
Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70.
Child trapped between boulders for 9 hours rescued by firefighters in New Hampshire
Rescuers came to the aid of a child who became wedged between two boulders and was trapped for more than nine hours, a New Hampshire fire chief said Monday.
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
NEW
NEW Taylor Swift, Hulk Hogan, George Clooney: Which celebrities have endorsed Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for U.S. president
More high-profile names in Hollywood and the entertainment world are offering their support for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. Here's a look at who has endorsed who.
Haitians in Ohio demand apology after chaotic week of false pet-eating claims
For many Haitian immigrants, Sunday mornings in Springfield, Ohio, are spent joyfully worshipping God as they sing and pray in their native Creole. This Sunday, they needed that uplifting balm more than ever.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Atlantic
-
One P.E.I. ferry out of service after crashing into wharf: NFL
One of the ferries that transfers passengers between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia is out of service after crashing into a wharf.
-
Sudden death at tent encampment in Saint John under investigation
The Saint John Police Force is investigating a sudden death following the discovery of a body at an encampment in the city on Saturday.
-
Halifax library workers accept deal to end strike, branches to reopen Thursday
Members of the union representing workers with Halifax Public Libraries have accepted a new collective agreement, ending a nearly month-long strike and paving the way for branches to re-open in the next few days.
Toronto
-
Ontario's Financial Accountability Office probing $225M deal to speed up alcohol expansion to convenience stores
Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) is investigating a decision by the Ford government to accelerate the expansion of alcohol sales in the province to corner stores— a move that involves a payment of up to $225 million to The Beer Store.
-
Ontario considers further expanding pharmacists' scope to include more minor ailments
Ontario is proposing to further expand pharmacists' scope of practice by adding to the list of minor ailments they can assess, allowing them to administer more vaccines and order some lab tests.
-
More Ontarians will be flagged for iron deficiency after doctors advocate for change to guidelines
Ontario could soon see more residents receiving treatment for iron deficiency thanks to new guidelines lowering the threshold for abnormal iron levels in the blood.
Montreal
-
Black Lives Ruined: The effects of racial profiling by police
Racial profiling is a systemic problem plaguing Montreal police, according to a judgement by Superior Court Justice Dominique Poulin. But what does that mean in the lives of the victims?
-
Voters head to the polls for byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
Canadians in two federal ridings are choosing their next member of Parliament, and political parties are closely watching the results.
-
Vehicle targeted by arson in Montreal North
Montreal police is investigating after a vehicle was set on fire in the borough of Montreal North.
Northern Ontario
-
5 things to know about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump at one of his golf courses
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is safe following what the FBI says 'appears to be an attempted assassination' while playing golf two months after another attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania.
-
Greater Sudbury resident dies in 5-vehicle crash involving 3 motorcycles near Port Dover
A person from Greater Sudbury died and two other individuals were transported to hospital after a five-vehicle crash near Port Dover, Ont., late Saturday afternoon.
-
NEW
NEW Will officials move to ban swimming at Manitoulin Island’s iconic Bridal Veil Falls?
The Township of Billings on Manitoulin Island is contemplating banning swimming in the pool below the iconic Bridal Veil Falls in the Village of Kagawong.
Windsor
-
Historic sexual assault charges laid against Lakeshore resident
A historic sexual assault investigation has led to charges for a 79-year-old Lakeshore resident. In June, OPP were contact about assaults that were alleged to have happened between 2003 and 2010.
-
You could be fined up to $4,000 for passing a school bus; how you need to share the road
With lots of local kids heading back to school in recent weeks, motorists are once more sharing the road with school buses.
-
Air Canada deal avoids shutdown, brings relief to passengers and business groups
Travellers, business groups and politicians expressed fervent relief on Sunday after Air Canada and the union representing thousands of its pilots negotiated a new labour deal and averted a disruptive, countrywide shutdown.
London
-
One person dead following five vehicle collision in Port Dover
Norfolk OPP say they were on the scene of a five vehicle collision on Blueline Road in Port Dover on Saturday evening at around 6:00 p.m.
-
TVDSB finances being audited by Ministry of Education
A brief statement released on Saturday by the board confirmed that the Ministry of Education will be helping to audit the school board’s finances.
-
Man resists arrest, threatens officer with knife: St. Thomas police
In the early hours of Saturday morning, St. Thomas police say that an officer on patrol spotted a man on Talbot Street on a bicycle that had previously committed several traffic violations.
Kitchener
-
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
-
Man injured in Cambridge shooting
A 19-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a shooting in Cambridge.
-
Most-read stories of the week: assault with a weapon charge over water gun, man-made island in the Grand River, and Friday the 13th roars into Port Dover
Charges laid after a neighbour was sprayed with a water gun, a man-made island appears in the Grand River, and bikers flock to Port Dover for Friday the 13th.
Barrie
-
OPP searching waters of Georgian Bay for missing youth
A search is underway in Penetanguishene for a youth who went missing while swimming at Huronia Park on Sunday.
-
Thousands take part in Terry Fox Run throughout Simcoe-Muskoka
The Simcoe-Muskoka region raised more than $100,000 in support of cancer research, as thousands took part in their nearest Terry Fox Run on Sunday.
-
One person dead in three-vehicle crash in Mulmur
One person is dead after a three-vehicle crash in Mulmur township Saturday afternoon.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg police investigating fire as homicide after two people die in hospital
Two people are dead after being rescued from a burning Atlantic Ave. building early Saturday morning. Winnipeg police say the fire was suspicious and the homicide unit has taken over the investigation.
-
Donald Trump was the subject of 'an assassination attempt,' FBI reports
The FBI said Donald Trump was the target of 'what appears to be an attempted assassination' at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday.
-
Elmwood-Transcona byelection set for today
The federal byelection in Elmwood-Transcona is set to take place on Monday.
Calgary
-
Protest at Tomkins Park results in 3 arrests, 12 tickets
Three people have been charged after a protest at Calgary's Tomkins Park spilled out into the street, forcing police to move in.
-
Premier Smith pushes her own idea for Calgary's Green Line on radio show
Premier Danielle Smith is doubling down on the province's decision to withhold its funding for Calgary’s Green Line LRT.
-
Calgary water use kept under control on Sunday
Many Calgarians are staying the course when it comes to conserving water, updated data from the city's website shows.
Edmonton
-
'Craziest thing I've ever seen': Elusive salamanders make surprising mass appearance in Edmonton area
Edmontonians can count themselves lucky to ever see one tiger salamander, let alone the thousands one local woman says recently descended on her childhood home.
-
Man's death in river valley suspicious: EPS
A man is dead after being found seriously injured in the river valley in south-central Edmonton on Saturday.
-
Edmonton Elks add defensive lineman A.C. Leonard, five others to practice roster
A.C. Leonard is back with the Edmonton Elks.
Regina
-
Here's a look at how this Sask. water tower was dismantled
The community of Gravelbourg, Sask. said goodbye to a well-known landmark this weekend – as its nearly century-old water tower was taken apart.
-
Hundreds gather to celebrate 150th anniversary of Treaty 4 signing in Fort Qu'Appelle
It was the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 4 – an occasion that saw hundreds gather in Fort Qu'Appelle.
-
What we know about the reported suspect behind apparent Trump assassination attempt
A gunman attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday at Trump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida, authorities said.
Saskatoon
-
'Human spirit does not stop': Saskatoon's Terry Fox run surpasses fundraising goal
Saskatoon’s 44th annual Terry Fox run took place on Sunday, uniting the community, and country in a shared goal of raising funds for cancer research.
-
Manslaughter charge laid after suspicious death on Sask. First Nation
Police have laid charges in relation to the suspicious death of a 28-year-old man on Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation.
-
Here's a look at how this Sask. water tower was dismantled
The community of Gravelbourg, Sask. said goodbye to a well-known landmark this weekend – as its nearly century-old water tower was taken apart.
Vancouver
-
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
-
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
-
Person found dead after car fire in Coquitlam parking lot
One person is dead after a car was found on fire in the parking lot of a rec centre in Coquitlam, B.C., Sunday morning, local Mounties confirmed.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
-
Air Canada deal avoids shutdown, brings relief to passengers and business groups
Travellers, business groups and politicians expressed fervent relief on Sunday after Air Canada and the union representing thousands of its pilots negotiated a new labour deal and averted a disruptive, countrywide shutdown.
-
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
Kelowna
-
Son charged with B.C. woman's murder: RCMP
More than a year after a missing Kamloops, B.C., woman’s body was found, her son has been arrested and charged with her murder, Mounties announced Friday.
-
Woman stabbed during daylight Kelowna home invasion: RCMP
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during a home invasion in Kelowna, according to authorities.
-
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
