(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nicole Reis

COVID-19 SCAMS AND FRAUD

Fraudsters using COVID-19 to fuel scam attacks

Mar 30, 2020 | 5:44 PM

Since the beginning of March, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) has received 66 reports linked to the COVID‐19 virus.

Jeff Thomson, Senior RCMP Intelligence Analyst with the CAFC told meadowlakeNOW of these reports, 10 are listed as victims.

“Certainly, we’ve been seeing investment scams insinuating the stock market is starting to rebound,” he said. “Much of this is related to people investing in vaccines or home test kits.”

Thomson said this type of scam is more prevalent in the U.S. and advised there is a window of opportunity in Canada. According to Saskatchewan Public Health, there is no cure for COVID-19 at this time.

According to Thomson, CAFC has seen the following scams associated with COVID-19:

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

15h ago

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

Merchandise Scams

The CAFC has been receiving reports where the suspects have claimed to be with Red Cross offering free masks. In order to receive the masks, consumers have been advised they are required to pay a shipping fee.

“It becomes a question of whether people are getting their products or not,” Thomson said. “One case we reported was a case of identity theft where a person’s information was used to create an online classified ad offering hand sanitizer and the victim received text messages from the public asking where their product is.”

The CAFC has also received a report in which the victim attempted to purchase a COVID test online. The victim hasn’t received the product even though the company claims it’s been delivered.

The CAFC has yet to see any victims associated to this pitch so it’s unknown what kind of charges are placed on the victim’s credit card.

Phishing

Complainant’s have received Phishing emails pretending to be linked to an Employment Insurance claim due to COVID-19 and are required to validate their information.

The CAFC has also been receiving reports claiming to be from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The email claims to provide an update on COVID-19 by going to the link provided. Reports show that these links have asked for personal information but may also contain malicious malware.

Charity Scams

CAFC received a report from a consumer claiming to have received an email from the World Health Organization. The email asked for donations to fight COVID-19. Consumers are advised they can make payments through the suspect’s secure digital wallet. According to Thomson, CAFC has yet to receive the wallet details.

Survey Scams

The CAFC has received reports from consumers advising they were sent an email from Shoppers Drug Mart claiming they have qualified for a special offer if they complete a 30-second survey. This email claims it will help consumers “Survive the COVID-19.” The CAFC has yet to have any consumers go on the link so it’s currently unknown if the link asks for personal information or contains malware.

Thomson recommends the public exercise caution during this time and to research seller profiles and reviews. He also suggests searching business online by searching the business name with the word “fraud” in the search field or referencing businesses with the Better Business Bureau of Canada.

“Recognize, reject, hang-up, delete and report any potential scam to CAFC website with as much detail as possible,” he said.

Fraudsters will use any means possible including text, social media, or emails to solicit potential scams.

“The big thing is stop and don’t react. Everyone is in an anxious state given the world’s events but if you’re clicking on links or getting an email really do your due diligence and don’t click on anything,” he said. “Don’t react, we really want people to slow down and get out of an anxious state and then report it.”

If you are a victim of a scam, call you local RCMP detachment and report your experience to CAFC here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722