The North Vancouver RCMP is warning the public about a new COVID-19 scam in the community.
Fraudsters are sending people text messages about money being deposited in their accounts by the federal government.
“The text scam is hijacking the ’emergency response benefit’ announced yesterday. We’re asking everyone to pass this on so nobody falls for it,” RCMP said.
The Government of Canada doesn’t send any information through text messaging.
Last week, North Vancouver RCMP had warned people about an increase in fraudsters trying to con people into giving them money.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is also seeing an uptick in fake emails, texts and social media posts that try to trick people into sending money or revealing personal information.
Fraudsters may ask people to donate to victims, offer advice on unproven treatments, protective gear, virus detection kits, or fake home sanitizing services, or may direct people to bogus websites selling non-existent products.
“Our phones have been lighting up too, sometimes 3, 4, 5 times a day with phishing emails and bogus text messages,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries of North Vancouver RCMP.
“The community has enough to deal with at the moment. Don’t let these fraudsters add insult to injury.”
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