Coronavirus scams on rise in Nanaimo

Nanaimo RCMP have joined other agencies in warning of an increase in scams related to COVID-19. The Better Business Bureau Vancouver Island and Victoria police have also recently alerted the public.

The Nanaimo RCMP advisory follows a notice from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre that the number of reports about such scams has gone up dramatically. Nanaimo RCMP said it receives calls daily from the public about attempted fraud via social media, email and text.

Frauds include offers of phoney COVID-19 tests and unproven drugs, people claiming to represent the Public Health Agency of Canada to get personal information and firms claiming their duct-cleaning offers virus protection. Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien said very few people had been duped into giving out personal details.

Comox Valley RCMP issued a fraud warning related to COVID19 after a woman was reportedly going to houses asking for money for the needy. They said the legitimacy of the woman’s effort has not been verified, but there should be no door-to-door canvassing going on due to social-distancing measures.