City of Ottawa warns of fake email targeting sports teams before winter registration
A fraudulent email is posing as a City of Ottawa field and facility allocator, offering sports teams a chance to reserve fields for next season. The City says delete it.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on ottawa.citynews.ca.
The City of Ottawa is warning residents not to open or click links in a fake email that claims to come from a City field and facility allocator, CityNews Ottawa reported on November 4.
The fraudulent email is targeting sports teams and community groups. It offers a special deal to reserve City-owned fields and diamonds for next season. The City says the offer is not real. A field and facility allocator is the City service that handles bookings for sports fields, baseball diamonds and other outdoor recreation spaces across Ottawa.
How to spot the fake
According to the City, two things show the email is not genuine. The sender uses a Gmail address. All real emails from the City of Ottawa come from addresses ending in @ottawa.ca. The email also links to a site that is not the City's official ottawa.ca website.
The City is asking anyone who receives this email to delete it without clicking any links. Any link in the message could leave a recipient open to scammers, the City says.
The timing is important. Many sports teams and recreation groups in Ottawa receive emails from the City this time of year, because field and facility registration for the winter and spring seasons opens soon. The fake email is designed to look credible to anyone expecting a booking invitation.
What to do if you clicked
Anyone who clicked a link in the email and may have shared personal information should call Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222. The City advises contacting police as soon as possible to report the incident.
Real registration dates
This warning comes just as the City is about to open registration for winter activities. Real registration opens in two rounds: November 17 and November 19, through the official City of Ottawa website at ottawa.ca. Do not use any link from the fraudulent email to register.
If you are a sports team or community group looking to book fields for the coming season, go directly to ottawa.ca to sign up when registration opens on November 17.
Questions this story answers
What is the fake email about?
CityNews Ottawa reported on November 4, 2026 that a fraudulent email is posing as a City of Ottawa field and facility allocator. The email offers sports teams and groups a special deal to reserve fields and diamonds for next season. It is not a real City offer, and the City says the email should be deleted immediately without clicking any links.
How can I tell if an email is from the City of Ottawa?
The City of Ottawa says there are two signs that show an email is fraudulent. First, all real City of Ottawa emails come from addresses ending in @ottawa.ca, not from Gmail or other services. Second, any links in a real City email go to the official ottawa.ca website. If the sender is a Gmail account or a link points elsewhere, delete the email.
What should I do if I clicked a link in the fake email?
If you clicked a link in the fraudulent email and may have shared personal information, the City of Ottawa asks you to contact Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222. Report the incident as soon as possible so police are aware and can help you take steps to protect your information.
When does real City of Ottawa winter activity registration open?
Real registration for City of Ottawa winter activities opens on two days: November 17 and November 19, 2026. You can register through the official City of Ottawa website at ottawa.ca. Do not use any link from the fraudulent email to register.
Who is sending this fake email?
The City of Ottawa has not named who is behind the fraudulent email. CityNews Ottawa reported on November 4 that the City became aware of the email and issued a warning to residents. The email appears to come from a Gmail account rather than an official City address.
What is a field and facility allocator?
A City field and facility allocator is the person or system that handles bookings for City-owned sports fields, diamonds and other recreation facilities. The fake email was designed to look like it came from this service to seem credible to sports teams looking to book fields for the coming season.
Can sports groups still book fields for next season?
Yes. The fake email does not stop real bookings. City of Ottawa winter activity registration opens on November 17 and November 19 through the official ottawa.ca website. Sports groups should use that site to reserve fields and facilities for the coming season.
Has the City of Ottawa seen similar scams before?
CityNews Ottawa's November 4 report does not mention previous similar scams. The City issued this warning specifically in response to the current fraudulent email that is circulating ahead of winter activity registration. Residents should always check that emails from the City come from addresses ending in @ottawa.ca.
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