City of Hamilton Warning Residents about Fake Emails

HAMILTON, ON - November 18, 2016 - The City of Hamilton is warning residents to watch out for fake emails that look like they are from the City of Hamilton regarding traffic violations. They are fraudulent.

Citizens are reminded that the City of Hamilton will not issue a Traffic Violation via email. This is not the City of Hamilton process.

The process regarding a Traffic Violation is, as follows:

• Traffic violations are issued by an enforcement agency such as Hamilton Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, McMaster University Security, etc.
• The Provincial Offences Court notifies defendants of their outstanding fines by way of issuing a paper Notice of Fine and Due Date (which is mailed) with our contact information on it.   Defendants are not contacted via email. 

How will I know if I receive a fake notice?

• It will be sent by email. That is not the City of Hamilton process.
• It may have the following words, “traffic infringement” on it. This is not terminology that the City of Hamilton uses on our notices. 

What about telephone calls?

• Hamilton Provincial Offences does pursue overdue fines by way of a collection process that could involve a telephone call from one of our collectors who identify themselves as part of the City of Hamilton.
• You may receive a telephone call from a third party collection agency that are processing files on our behalf of the City of Hamilton.
• The current third party collection agencies, under contract with the City of Hamilton for Provincial Offences, is EOS and Gatestone.
• A person’s outstanding fines can be verified by calling (905) 540-5592.

How Can I Pay a Fine?

• Payments can also be made by calling (905) 540-5592 for payment by Visa or MasterCard.
• Payments can be made in person at 45 Main Street, East, Suite 408, Hamilton, Ontario .
• Payments can be made by accessing www.paytickets.ca with your ticket number.

Citizens who receive unsolicited emails from suspicious individuals claiming to be affiliated with the City of Hamilton should report the incident to Hamilton Police or the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489.