The City of Guelph is warning people of what it calls a potential new scam in which people are being asked to have reflective numbers painted on their curbside in return for a suggested financial contribution of $25.
"This is not a city program," said the city in an alert sent out on Twitter.
Homeowners must give permission for the work and the $25 is recommended, although it says higher or lower payment will be accepted.
The city says some residents of Ward 3 received such a notice on Wednesday.
"We'd rather you didn't" get the stenciling done, the city said.
The notice delivered to homes does not indicate it is a city program, but there is no company name or contact information on the flyer, which has the word "NOTICE" across the top.
It suggests that fire, ambulance and police departments "highly recommend" you have such stenciling of the number done.