The Region of Durham is warning residents that text messages, instant messages or phone calls demanding online payment of an Ontario Provincial Offences Court fine may be a scam — especially if the caller claims to be from the Ontario Court.
According to the Region of Durham, its own Collections Department and any third-party collection agencies it uses may legitimately contact residents by phone or text message about unpaid fines, but those callers should never claim to be from the Ontario Court.
Deal directly with court staff
Residents with an outstanding fine are encouraged to deal directly with the Region's court staff rather than respond to unsolicited payment requests. Information on paying a fine is available through the Region's Court Services webpage.
The warning comes as the Durham Provincial Offences Court conducts hybrid proceedings, allowing defendants to appear in person, by telephone or by video via Zoom, unless a justice of the peace orders otherwise. The Region recommends joining by video rather than telephone because of technical limitations with phone connections, and notes a Zoom account is not required to take part.
Anyone disconnected from a proceeding is advised to reconnect using the same meeting ID and passcode, or to call the main office at 905-668-7711 or toll-free at 1-866-779-8839.
Speed camera tickets still owed
The Region also confirms that automated speed enforcement cameras stopped being used as of November 14, 2025 — but anyone who received a ticket through the program still has to pay it or dispute it.
For those heading to trial, evidence is accepted only for trial matters and must be uploaded through the Region's Evidence Upload Portal at least five business days before the scheduled trial date. Files must be named with the defendant's last name, first name, file number and a brief description of the file. PDF is the preferred format, though Word, Excel and common image files are also accepted. Files larger than 15MB require assistance from the court office, which can be reached at POAexhibits@durham.ca.
Defendants who miss a court date are urged to contact the court office immediately at 905-668-3130 or toll-free at 1-866-779-8839 to ask about their matter. The Region cautions that how a case proceeds after a missed appearance is up to the discretion of the justice of the peace.
Observers welcome, recording prohibited
Provincial offences court proceedings are open to the public, with the exception of judicial pre-trials, subject to judicial direction. Members of the public or media who want to watch a proceeding remotely by Zoom are asked to rename themselves as "Observer" before joining, and can contact the court office for the current schedule.
The Region reminds all participants that recording, photographing or live-streaming court proceedings is strictly prohibited. It is an offence under Section 136 of the Courts of Justice Act and may constitute contempt of court.
Defendants or their representatives who need a disability-related accommodation can email accessibilitypoa@durham.ca or call 905-668-3130 before their court date.
