Canadians warned of scammers taking advantage of COVID-19 fears

Samantha McAdam, a writer in Toronto, told CTV News Toronto she recently received a text supposedly from the Canadian government telling her that $1,375 had been put into her account.

"Quite honestly, like a lot of people I'm at home with my children and didn't get a full night's sleep, so for a second I thought: ‘Is this real?’" she said.

Beware of COVID-19 scams — like free masks from the 'Red Cross' or fake test kits

Have you recently received a text message claiming to be from the Red Cross offering you a “free” mask? Or maybe an unexpected and unsolicited call from someone purporting to be from a government agency and saying you’ve tested positive for COVID-19?

Canada's cyber spies taking down sites as battle against COVID-19 fraud begins

According to the RCMP, which is tracking reported scams, in at least one case fraudsters posed as the Public Health Agency and told Canadians they had tested positive for COVID-19, then asked for credit card information for a prescription.

Criminals are also mimicking the federal government to send out coronavirus-themed phishing emails and malicious attachments, they said.

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

Canadians targeted by scams taking advantage of COVID-19 fears

The Canadian government website lists some COVID-19 scams that have been reported, ranging widely from door-to-door salespeople selling disinfecting products to private companies offering health services.The website warns that Canadians should be extra careful with unsolicited calls and texts, fake charities asking for money and people selling medication or health products. Canadians should never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited contacts, it says.