Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter
LPS Headquarters -- LNN

LPS offers pro-active advice to avoid COVID-19 scams

Apr 6, 2020 | 2:46 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Although city Police haven’t received many complaints relating to COVID-19 scams, they want to ensure the public is aware of the possibilities.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre advises that common COVID-19 scams involve fraudsters posing as:

— Cleaning or heating companies, which offer duct cleaning services or air filters to protect from COVID-19

— Local and provincial hydro/electrical power companies that threaten 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, which may offer false results saying you have been 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, tricking you into opening malicious attachments and tricking you to reveal sensitive personal and financial details

— Financial advisors, who pressure people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease or offer 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 It should be noted that only health care providers can perform COVID-19 tests and NO other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results. Also, unapproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws The public is urged to protect themselves and be aware 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 Unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money for victims, products or research – do NOT allow them to pressure you into making a donation

Verify that a charity is registered — High-priced or low-quality products purchased in bulk by consumers and resold for profit, are usually items that may be expired and/or dangerous to your health

— Questionable offers to be concerned about include, miracle cures, herbal remedies, vaccinations and faster testing

— Fake and deceptive online ads, to watch for include” cleaning products, hand sanitizers and other items in high demand

Also, some Alberta agencies are also seeing an uptick in romance scams as more people self-isolate or work from home. In romance scams, fraudsters use fake profiles on social media and dating apps to gain the trust of their victims over a period of time before stealing from them.

For more resources about COVID-19 scams, the Better Business Bureau has also complied a variety information to help citizens recognize fraud and prevent themselves from becoming a victim. https://www.bbb.org/ca/news/scams