The CAFC, which works with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Competition Bureau and Ontario Provincial Police, is urging Canadians to be vigilant as fraudsters look to exploit the COVID-19 crisis.
PROTECT YOURSELF, BE AWARE 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
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 health care providers can perform the tests — n o other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results
- selling fraudulent products that claim to treat or prevent the disease — u napproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws
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
