Scammers taking advantage of pandemic
Scammers often strike when people are most vulnerable, which is why a lineup of COVID -19-related schemes has popped up as people figure out how to cope with fear, instability and panic caused by the pandemic, according to a spokesperson with the Better Business Bureau.
One of the scam calls purports to be from an Alberta Health Services (AHS) official, calling to say the recipient of the call has tested positive for COVID-19 and asking for credit card information and personal health care number to confirm their identity.
AHS has said the agency would never ask for financial information and Premier Jason Kenney made it clear what he thinks of COVID -19 scammers during a news conference Monday.
“Let me just say to those who are trying to exploit seniors and others during this time of a public health emergency, there must be a special place in hell for people like that,” said Kenney. “It is un-canadian. It is un-albertan. It is unacceptable and it is illegal. And if we catch anybody who’s engaged in these kinds of frauds or scams, I guarantee you, the book will be thrown at them and they will face the full force of the law.”
BBB spokeswoman Shawna-kay Thomas has heard of several different COVID -19-related schemes, including fake Kijiji postings of medical supplies and sanitizers, sales of COVID -19 “cures” or vaccines, fraudulent gift cards and forged public health emails. She’s also heard there are fake charities requesting donations for vaccine research.
“Scammers know that during crises like this people may not be thinking logically because of the impact the situation is having on them,” said Thomas.
Thomas said people shouldn’t stray from trusted websites. She suggests people use online resources to stay informed about scams, such as bbb.org/ca/news/ scams or local police websites.
Calgary police Staff Sgt. Paul Wyatt said the service hasn’t received many reports of these scams in Calgary but added it’s only a matter of time before schemes become more widespread. He said it’s imperative people report scams online or through the non-emergency phone line at 403-266-1234.
“When people’s emotions are high, scammers will prey on that for financial gain. They don’t care who they hurt,” said Wyatt.
He’s also heard fraudulent salespeople have been selling duct cleaning or air filters claiming to protect a house from COVID-19, and other callers have threatened to cut electricity unless a payment is sent.
“This is all still an unknown but what’s happening is well-documented by AHS and the World Health Organization. It’s that lack of knowledge that scares people but if you are unsure about anything, then look into it,” said Wyatt.
Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner said in a news release that greater enforcement and prosecution are needed against fraudsters.
“Exploiting people’s fears at a time of crisis is abhorrent and the Canadian government must take immediate measures to deal with this,” she said.
“At a time when many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet and concerned with this pandemic, they should not have to also worry about being targeted by scammers.”
The Canadian Anti-fraud Centre has compiled a list of scams that have been reported in Canada, which can be found on their website.