3 realistic scams that hit Ontario in February
Published February 24, 2024 at 6:19 pm
There is a rising wave of scams that are deceiving Ontario residents, causing financial losses as they fall prey to these deceptive schemes.
Here are three scams that have been circulating the region this month.
Going to send it scam
The scam starts with a text message from an unknown number informing the recipient that they are “going to send it.”
However, the sender does not specify what “it” is, intentionally leaving the conversation open with the expectation that the recipient will respond.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) this is an example of a smishing attempt which is a text message variation of phishing.
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Scammers will try to get personal information like bank accounts and Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) to steal money or commit other fraud.
In many smishing schemes, scammers will pretend to be well-known businesses raising concerns about service issues between the client and the company.
These fraudulent messages typically contain hyperlinks that when clicked on, will redirect the victim to a deceptive page.
On this page, individuals are prompted to verify their identity by entering personal details such as home addresses and passwords.
In this scenario, it seems the recipient did not respond to a text message. As a result, a duplicate message was sent out a day later, creating the impression of urgent communication.
Recipients may also consider examining the area code of the sender’s number.
A brief online search indicates that the number is associated with the province of Manitoba. Consequently, individuals may opt to disregard the message, viewing it as a potential scam attempt.
The Canadian government, on its website, offers safety precautions to residents to protect themselves and their devices against smishing scams:
- If uncertain about the authenticity of a text, verify with the sender using an alternative method such as the phone number listed on the business’ official website.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to questionable texts. Instead, manually type the web address into a browser when possible.
- If you suspect a smishing attempt, delete the message and block the number. Refrain from responding, even if the text instructs you to text “STOP” or “NO” to halt messages. Responding may confirm to the spammer that your phone number is active, leading to more smishing attempts.
- Forward any spam text messages to 7726 (SPAM on most keypads). This action notifies your phone provider, allowing them to block future texts from that specific number.
Romance scams
This month marked Valentine’s Day and authorities issued a cautionary note regarding romance scams targeting those susceptible to emotional manipulation.
These scams often unfold on dating websites or social media platforms where perpetrators exploit victims’ trust to solicit money.
In the past year, these schemes have inflicted significant financial harm, amassing losses totalling over $50 million.
While 1,249 complaints were officially lodged involving 925 individuals, the actual scope of such fraud may be far greater as many victims opt not to report out of shame or fear.
Warning indicators include sudden requests for funds, reluctance to meet face-to-face, and overly idealized online personas.
To safeguard against such fraudulent schemes, individuals are advised by police to refrain from divulging personal information, reject friend requests from unknown parties, and to not send money or compromising photographs.
Should one fall victim to such a scam, immediate action is recommended: sever all contact with the perpetrator, notify local law enforcement, and promptly report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through its online platform or helpline at 1-888-495-8501.
Dental benefit scams
Ontario residents receiving government benefit cheques including those eligible for the Canadian Dental Benefit, are urged to be vigilant as scammers are now targeting beneficiaries.
Service Canada, a federal agency, warns of fraudulent emails and texts impersonating representatives claiming to contact on behalf of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
The scam aims to extract personal information such as bank details and social insurance numbers. However, distinguishing the scam from the legitimate CDCP program may pose challenges for victims.
The Canadian government launched the interim Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) in December 2022. It is a temporary benefit that provides a direct, tax-free payment to help eligible families pay for oral health care services for their children under the age of 12. The CDB will remain in place until June 30, 2024, and once it ends, those children will be eligible to transition to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), assuming they meet all the eligibility criteria.
The CDCP began rolling out in December 2023 with the applications open to potentially eligible seniors aged 87 and above, followed by seniors aged 77 to 86 in January 2024, and those aged 72 to 76 in February.
In March 2024, letters will be sent to seniors aged 70 to 71.
Although Service Canada has not reported victims of this scam, residents are urged to delete suspicious emails and texts, recognizing them as fraudulent attempts.
With files from Ashley Newport.
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