Toronto Crime Stoppers has temporarily stopped accepting new tips after more than 176,000 tips submitted between 2022 and 2025 were stolen in a data breach earlier this year.
The charity’s chair, Sean Sportun, released a statement on Wednesday evening, detailing what it knows so far about the leak.
Sportun said hackers stole data from P3, the tip software, in March.
Navigate360, who owns the software, informed Toronto Crime Stoppers that the stolen data included 176,859 tips submitted between Jan. 2022 and Nov. 2025 as well as 14,973 names that were in those tips.
“Since March, Navigate360 has told us repeatedly that P3 is secure. In April, it told us Toronto’s data had not been taken. When it told us in June that Toronto’s data was affected, it didn’t say what was exposed,” Sportun said, adding that the charity still has not seen the text of the stolen tips.
“We have been pressing for answers for months and continue to do so, especially in light of this week’s reporting.”
CBC News first reported about the breach on Wednesday.
As a result of the breach, Toronto Crime Stoppers announced that it was pausing collecting tips.
It said that the “Tip Submit” feature from its website has been removed and advised Navigate360 to suspend in-take function for Toronto Crime Stoppers from their platform.
The charity said it has also directed the National Anonymous Call Centre to cease accepting or processing any new information intended for Toronto Crime Stoppers, including phone calls and online tip submission.
“Until we have a safer way to protect you, please do not send us tips by phone, online, or through the app,” Sportun said.
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‘We are deeply sorry’
The charity also apologized for letting down the people whose names were stolen in the breach.
“Since 1984, people in Toronto have come to Toronto Crime Stoppers because we promised they could stay anonymous. This week’s reporting shows that for some of them, that promise was broken. We are deeply sorry,” Sportun said.
He noted that while Toronto Crime Stoppers does not ask for the names of people who submit tips, some include details to explain what they witnessed.
“Before a tip goes to investigators, our practice is to remove those details. It has come to light that some of those original tips containing potentially identifying information were stolen from P3,” Sportun said.
Toronto Crime Stoppers said people who are worried their tip was exposed, it advised that it will never contact anyone for their tip number, password, or anything.
“If someone does, it isn’t us,” the charity said. “If you are in danger right now, call 911.”
Toronto Crime Stoppers said it is working with various partners to find a safer way to submit tips.
In the meantime, it is advising anyone with tips to contact Toronto police directly.
“We know this isn’t anonymous, and for some people that matters a great deal. We are working to bring back an anonymous option as quickly as we safely can,” Toronto Crime Stoppers said.
Toronto police suspend tip line
In a statement, Toronto police said they are aware of the breach affecting Crime Stoppers and have suspended their use of the tip line while a review is conducted.
“The information that has become available raises serious concerns regarding the protection of confidential information provided through the Crime Stoppers program. The safety of members of the public, tipsters, and police personnel is paramount,” Toronto police said.
They noted that the review will assess the additional safeguards and security measures that Toronto Crime Stoppers will implement.
In the meantime, Toronto police urged the member of public to contact them if they have information about crime or public safety concerts.
“While this does not provide the anonymity associated with the Crime Stoppers program, it will ensure information is received directly by investigators,” Toronto police said.
“We recognize the important role Crime Stoppers has played in supporting community safety and investigations over many years and appreciate the seriousness with which it is approaching this matter.”
