Be Prepared For COVID-19 Scams

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
• 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

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.