OTTAWA -- 7,500 cell phone numbers will be getting a text message Thursday from Ontario Provincial Police as part of an investigation into a cold case.

On Wednesday, OPP said it had received permission from a judge and was moving forward with a plan to get anonymous tips about the death of 65-year-old Frederick John Hatch.

Hatch's body was found in the small town of Erin, ON, on December 17, 2015. Investigators believe he was last seen in the area of West Hunt Club Road and Merivale Road in Nepean between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on December 16th, 2015.

Using GPS and cell tower data, police have 7,500 numbers that were in the area when Hatch disappeared. On Thursday, those individuals will get one French and one English text from police, urging them to respond with any information about what may have happened.

Police say this tactic is legal and that users can decide whether or not to respond. Investigators say they only have numbers, not the addresses or names of the people attached to those accounts.