Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW) has stopped taking new tips following a data breach.
A statement from Crime Stoppers shares that a data breach has attacked CSGW information, some of it identifying anonymous tipsters over many years.
"Hackers stole data from P3, the tip software we have used since 2018. P3 is owned by Navigate360. Navigate360 has told us that 14,898 CSGW tips, dating from 1996 to 2025 were in the data taken by these hackers. It has also found that there are 1,407 names contained in those stolen tips," the statement shared.
CSGW says they never ask for the identities of tipsters, but some self-disclose their identity as part of providing their tips.
"Before a tip goes to an investigator, Crime Stoppers practice is to remove any self-identifying details to protect the identity of the person providing the tip. It has become apparent that some of those original tips containing details that may potentially identify persons were contained in the information stolen from the P3 system, owned by Navigate360," the CSGW statement added.
For now, CSGW has removed the "Tip Submit" feature from their website.They have also contacted relevant partners to not allow any more intake from tip lines, be it through the phone or online until further notice.
