Coronavirus scammers are preying on public anxiety, by TERRI THEODORE, THE CANADIAN PRESS

I thought this article might be of interest for CCB members as we begin to be inundated with fraudulent calls, emails and social media posts related to the Coronavirus pandemic.  Check out the below link to the full article so you can access several important resources and stay safe.

 

Coronavirus scammers are preying on public anxiety, by TERRI THEODORE, THE CANADIAN PRESS

“The new coronavirus has spawned an increase in online and telephone crime, targeting anxious Canadians who are self-isolating at home in front of their computers, experts say.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has received more than 100 recent complaints linked to COVID-19, said Jeff Thomson, a senior RCMP analyst.

The list includes false ads for face masks, hand sanitizers or home-testing kits, charity fraud, extortion and “phishing” scams in which dishonest e-mails are sent out from what appear to be reputable agencies.

“The Public Health Agency of Canada, World Health Organization, federal agencies, Canadian government, you name it, they’re mimicking anybody and everybody that is an authority on this matter,” Mr. Thomson said.

Crime that plays on public fear isn’t uncommon, he said, noting U.S. law-enforcement agencies started charity-fraud units after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.”