Sadly, even a global pandemic and state of emergency does not hinder those who would prey on people’s fears. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center has issued an alert and, though they themselves are a bit hindered by the effects of this crisis, are encouraging people to report fraud.
You can visit their website to report fraud or learn more about protecting yourself. Their toll free number is 1-888-495-8501, however it may be overwhelmed at times.
If you experience suspected fraud that is more of a local issue, such as door to door scams, contact your local RCMP on their NON-EMERGENCY number.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Bulletin alert! March 18, 2020: As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, watch out for associated scams. Fraudsters want to profit from consumers’ fears, uncertainties and misinformation. Fraudsters are exploiting the crisis to facilitate fraud and cyber crime.
Reported scams
Fraudsters are posing as:
- Cleaning or heating companies
- offering duct cleaning services or air filters to protect from COVID-19
- Local and provincial hydro/electrical power companies
- threatening to disconnect your power for non-payment
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization
- offering fake lists for sale of COVID-19 infected people in your neighbourhood
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- giving false results saying you have been tested positive for COVID-19
- tricking you into confirming your health card and credit card numbers for a prescription
- Red Cross and other known charities
- offering free medical products (e.g. masks) for a donation
- Government departments
- sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails
- tricking you into opening malicious attachments
- tricking you to reveal sensitive personal and financial details
- Financial advisors
- pressuring people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease
- offering financial aid and/or loans to help you get through the shut downs
- Door-to-door sales people
- selling household decontamination services
- Private companies
- offering fast COVID-19 tests for sale
- Only hospitals can perform the tests
- No other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results
- selling fraudulent products that claim to treat or prevent the disease
- Unapproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws
- offering fast COVID-19 tests for sale
Protect yourself, beware of:
- Spoofed government, healthcare or research information
- Unsolicited calls, emails and texts giving medical advice or requesting urgent action or payment
- If you didn’t initiate contact, you don’t know who you’re communicating to
- Never respond or click on suspicious links and attachments
- Never give out your personal or financial details
- Unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money for victims, products or research
- Don’t be pressured into making a donation
- Verify that a charity is registered
- High-priced or low-quality products purchased in bulk by consumers and resold for profit
- These items may be expired and/or dangerous to your health
- Questionable offers, such as:
- miracle cures
- herbal remedies
- vaccinations
- faster testing
- Fake and deceptive online ads, including:
- cleaning products
- hand sanitizers
- other items in high demand
Trusted resources and advice
- Reference the latest health information from these legitimate sources:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (Public Health Agency of Canada)
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (World Health Organization)
- Contact your insurance provider to answer any health insurance questions
- Make sure you have anti-virus software installed and keep your operating system up to date
