
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is warning Canadians to be aware that some individuals and groups may be looking to take advantage of the fears around the COVID-19 Coronavirus to profit off of.
With that, here are a list of possible scams they have been alerted to and want us to be mindful of.
Examples of COVID-19 fraud that the CAFC says consumers in other countries have shared:
- 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
- Consumers are purchasing large amounts of products and reselling them at higher prices
- These products may be:
- expired
- of lower quality
- dangerous to your health
- These products may be:
- Fraudsters have been going door-to-door offering fake decontamination services
- The Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration in the United States have warned of companies selling fraudulent products that claim to treat or prevent the disease
- The United States has not approved any such products
- The unapproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws
- Fraudsters posing as police have been imposing on-the-spot fines to consumers wearing masks
- They claim that wearing a mask in public goes against a full-face veil law
- It isn’t illegal to wear a mask for health reasons
- Fraudsters may urge you to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease
- Fraudsters are sending phishing, spear phishing and other malicious email campaigns that capitalize on the public’s fears about Covid-19
- Fraudsters are creating fraudulent and deceptive online ads
- These ads may offer:
- cleaning products
- hand sanitizers
- other items in high demand
- These ads may offer:
You should also beware any texts that have links within them claiming to offer some service, product, or rebate related to Covid-19. These links could lead to malicious software being installed on your device.
How to protect yourself from these malicious scams:
- Beware of false or misleading information, learn the latest and verify any information through a trusted source, such as;
- 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
- Beware of high-priced or low-quality products
- Beware of unsolicited medical advisory emails with links or attachments
- Fraudsters may spoof the information of government and health care organizations
- Beware of:
- miracle cures
- herbal remedies
- other questionable offers, such as vaccinations, faster tests, etc.
- Beware of unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money for victims or research
- Don’t be pressured into making a donation
- Verify that a charity is registered
If you question anything you have encountered be sure to verify it first, either through a trusted source such as the Public Health Agency of Canada, the World Health Organization, or Ontario Health.
If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or report online.
You can find all of this information as well as any updates at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
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