Avoid COVID-19 Scams

    

COVID-19 Scam Alerts

We wanted to share our curated knowledge of scams relating to the COVID-19 crisis, to help keep you safe and informed. Currently, fraudsters are trying to profit from consumers' fears, uncertainties, and misinformation; exploiting the crisis to facilitate fraud and cyber crime.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) has updated it's list of known COVID-19 related scams, urging Canadians to be vigilant as fraudsters look to exploit the crisis.

Here is the CAFC's latest list of detected scams, as of March 18th:

  • Cleaning or heating companies offering duct cleaning services or filters to protect from COVID-19 offering "special" air filters.
  • Local and provincial hydro/electrical power companies threatening to disconnect power for non-payment.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the World Health Organization (WHO) offering fake lists for sale of COVID-19 infected people in your neighbourhood.
  • Public Health Agency of Canada giving false results saying you have been tested positive for COVID-19 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 tricking you to reveal sensitive personal and financial details.
  • Financial advisers pressuring people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease 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 fake COVID-19 tests for sale.

Please do not hesitate to contact any BAASS team member if you have any questions, or if we can assist you in any way.

Joe Arnone

About The Author

Joe Arnone

Joe is the Co-founder and President of BAASS Business Solutions Inc. He spent the last 30 years working within the ERP software spectrum. Joe oversees the business planning, strategy development, consulting and customer satisfaction of a diverse group of customers spanning many industries. He has built his organization around industry and product specialization and has transformed the culture to emphasize customer relationships, providing complete solutions with world-class services. Prior to establishing BAASS, Joe worked for the York Consulting Group. He has overseen 500+ implementations of Sage 300 ERP. Joe holds a Schulich MBA and an Honours degree in Economics from York University.