Scammers are using COVID-19 fear to commit fraud

Phishing scams are done by sending messages directly to people, which redirects them to a website.

“The one that went out was a text message that looks like it’s coming from Red Cross, saying ‘You’ve qualified for a free face mask’ or ‘You can get a free face mask, follow the link,’ which took you to a fake website that subsequently asks you for your credit card number to pay for the delivery of the mask, or pay for delivery and a donation.”

While these scams are the most used, there are others that have been reported. Thomson says financial scams, where fake financial groups or services try to pressure people into investing in a stock related to the virus are also on the rise. Those same groups also are known to offer financial aid or loans to help people get through the quarantines or time off work.

He says fraudsters are even using phone scams, by calling up individuals, claiming to be from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“[They are] claiming you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, and that you need to provide your health card and credit card numbers for your prescription. That one’s quite alarming, you know the sort of extortion course of nature of that one is pretty alarming.”

He adds that, at this time, there is no cure, vaccine, or medication for COVID-19, and that people need to be aware that these kinds of offers are from scammers.

Thomson says CFAC suspects more scams will surface in the coming weeks, with both individuals and businesses being targeted by hydro extortion scams, with fraudsters claiming that utilities will be shut off if the ir target doesn’t provide credit card numbers. He adds scammers may also try to claim to have ventilation and duct cleaning services, or air filters to protect from COVID-19, and offer to sell them to people.

While CFAC continues to monitor the scams, he says the public also has to be vigilant, and practice the three Rs, recognize, reject, report.

“Recognize that scammers are using internet, text messaging, social media, social networking, telephone. They’re using every means possible to try to communicate their scams.

“Typically, frauds will come in to be high pressured, unsolicited requests. They’re high pressure, they’re urgent, they’re really pushing you to react. They’ll instill fear and anxiety into you, they’ll prey on the current situation to get that, and they really want you to react to what they’re demanding.

“The rejection part comes to stop and think about everything, don’t react. The other telltale sign is the request for money or personal information. So if you receive an unsolicited offer or request that’s urgent and coercive, don’t react, don’t send money, don’t provide personal information, reject essentially.

“So take time, stop, do your due diligence. Look up everything, go to reputable sources, your health care providers, your family doctor, your insurance companies, even the Public Health Agency of Canada or [the World Health Organization’s] website. Go directly to them, make sure you’re going to the reputable sources, and then get the information.

“The last piece there is reporting. So if people don’t report, then we don’t know what’s happening. If you’re a victim of a fraud, you are a victim of a crime, and need to call your local police. Make sure you document everything, collect all your information, your statements, your receipts. Have a chronological statement of events of when it started, who you spoke to, and what actually happened, so that you can make it easier to report to the police.”

Thomson says fraudsters are quick to take advantage of these types of global situations. He says the recent spike is similar to what he saw after Hurricane Katrina, when a number of fake charities popped up and tricked people out of their money. He adds scammers adapt to events very quickly, and the public needs to always be practicing the three Rs, be aware that fraudsters are out there, and never give out any personal information.

The CFAC is managed by the RCMP, through a partnership between the RCMP, the Competition Bureau of Canada, and the Ontario Prevention Police. The CFAC does take reports as a victim support agency and a law enforcement support agency, but is not an investigative agency. Thomson says any victims of fraud should be reporting their cases to the local police, though reports can also be made to the CFAC, through an online reporting system.

by Liam Verster/ Everything GP

Scammers are using COVID-19 fear to commit fraud

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