Major scam targeting Ontario residents over common grocery item

Canadians are being warned about a new text message scam making the rounds, claiming recipients are eligible for money from a so-called "milk settlement" that doesn't actually exist.

The scam text message appearing on phone screens around Ontario and the rest of the country claims recipients qualify for a payout and prompts them to click a link to claim it. While the wording may vary from text to text, they all lead to a fake website disguised as an official government page, asking users to enter personal details, including credit card information.

Police services, including Waterloo Regional Police, are now urging people to "stay sharp," warning cyber scammers are trying to "milk" personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.
 

🥛🚫📱Getting a text about the Canadian Milk Settlement being extended? Do not fall for it - these messages are scams.

Scammers want you to click the link so they can skim your information, not your milk. 🥛👀

✅ Do not click
✅ Do not reply
✅ Delete the message
✅ Check the… pic.twitter.com/WaNBrGQQkz

— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) April 3, 2026

While there are legitimate class-action settlements in Canada — including a $6.5-million case tied to a listeria outbreak linked to plant-based beverages — this so-called "Canadian Milk Class Settlement" is not one of them.

In fact, the official website for the plant-based milk class action has issued a warning, noting that the claims process hasn't even opened yet.

"If you receive any SMS message requesting personal or banking information, please treat it as suspicious and do not respond," the notice reads.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, cyber scams, including these types of fake settlement messages, are part of a larger problem. 

Canadians lost more than $704 million to fraud in 2025 alone, with total reported losses surpassing $2.4 billion since 2022. According to reports, the agency says it has received at least 12 cases since March 25 involving phishing texts regarding the Canadian milk class action payout.

"Beware of messages claiming to be from the Government of Canada or a law enforcement agency; they will never contact you to offer funds via email or e-transfer," the agency says.

If you come across a phishing scam, you can report it through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's website.