COVID-19: Don't Fall for These Coronavirus Scams and Hoaxes
Channel: National Best
Date: 2020-03-25

COVID-19: Don’t Fall for These Coronavirus Scams and Hoaxes

As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, watch out for associated scams. Fraudsters want to profit from consumers' fears, uncertainties and misinformation. Fraudsters are exploiting the crisis to facilitate fraud and cyber crime. Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for  information on the latest scams and frauds: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2020/covid-19-eng.htm

Protect yourself. Beware of the following frauds and scams: 
1. Spoofed government, healthcare or research information.
2. Unsolicited calls, emails and texts giving medical advice or requesting urgent action or payment. If you didn't initiate contact, you don't know with whom you're communicating. Never respond or click on suspicious links and attachments. Never give out your personal or financial details.
3. Unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money for victims, products or research. Don't be pressured into making a donation.
Verify that a charity is registered.
4. High-priced or low-quality products purchased in bulk by consumers and resold for profit. These items may be expired and/or dangerous to your health.
5. Questionable offers such as: miracle cures, herbal remedies, vaccinations, faster testing.
6. Fake and deceptive online ads, including: cleaning products, hand sanitizers, and other items in high demand. 

The following are a list of scams reported by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Fraudsters are posing as:

- Cleaning or heating companies offering duct cleaning services or air filters to protect from COVID-19.
- Local and provincial hydro/electrical power companies threatening to disconnect your power for non-payment.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization offering fake lists for sale of COVID-19 infected people in your neighbourhood.
- Public Health Agency of Canada giving false results saying you have tested positive for COVID-19 and tricking you into confirming your health card and credit card numbers for a prescription.
- Red Cross and other known charities offering free medical products (e.g. masks) for a donation.
- Government departments sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails designed to trick you into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive personal and financial details.
- Financial advisors pressuring people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease or offering financial aid and/or loans to help you get through the shut downs.
- Door-to-door sales people selling household decontamination services.
- Private companies offering fast COVID-19 tests for sale. Only health care providers can perform the tests. No other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results.
- Companies selling fraudulent products that claim to treat or prevent the disease. Unapproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws.

So who can you trust for information and advice?
- Get the latest health information from legitimate sources such as the Public Health Agency of Canada or your provincial health authority.
- Contact your insurance advisor or insurance company to answer any insurance coverage questions.
- Finally, make sure you have anti-virus software installed and keep your operating system up to date.

This COVID-19 fraud alert has been brought to you by National Best Financial Network, based on advice from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Other articles: 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/coronavirus-scams-canada-1.5501958
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/covid-19-dont-fall-for-these-coronavirus-scams-and-hoaxes/
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