The spirit of the holidays is a time of giving for most but,
for scammers, it is a time of taking. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre highlights
the most popular holiday scams so that you can recognize, reject, report and be
merry. For more information go to this link: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2021/11/holiday-fetes-eng.htm

Counterfeit merchandise

Counterfeiters can easily create websites that look like
legitimate manufacturers and offer products at a huge discount. Look out for
huge and flashy discount ads that direct you to websites that look like
legitimate manufacturers. If you do receive any inferior/counterfeit products,
they could pose significant health risks.

Selling goods and services online

When buying and selling online, both buyers and sellers need
to be aware that not all offers are trustworthy. Be suspicious of customers
offering to pay more than the asking price. Fraudsters will also target anyone
selling a vehicle online; make sure to use reputable websites if a vehicle
history report is required.

Charity scams

Charity/donation scams involve any false, deceptive,
misleading or fraudulent solicitation for a donation to a charity, association,
federation or religious cause. Refuse high pressure requests for donations, ask
for written information about the charity and do your own research. Remember to
always ask the solicitor for the charitable tax number and confirm their
registration with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or
by phone at 1-800-267-2384.

Crypto investment scams

Fraudsters are using social media and fraudulent websites to
lure Canadians into crypto investments. Prior to Investing, ask for information
on the investment. Verify if the company is registered by using the National Registration Tool.

Romance scams

Watch out for people entering a relationship with you for
the purpose of taking your Money or personal information. The fraudsters play
on your emotions to get you to send them money for various, convincing reasons.
They will say anything in order to gain your trust. Never send money to someone
you have never met!

Cellphone promo and internet service provider scam

If you are looking to purchase a new cellphone this holiday
season, don’t fall for an incoming call claiming to be from your service
provider. Fraudsters will claim to be a well-known service provider offering to
gift you with a new cellphone and discounted plan. Always find the official
phone number for your service provider and make the call yourself.

Online shopping

Fraudsters pose as genuine sellers and post fake ads for
items that do not exist. The listing price for almost any item (e.g. event
ticket, rental, vehicle, puppy) is usually too good to be true. Research before
you buy. Whenever possible, exchange goods in person or use your credit card
for payment.

Phishing emails and texts

You may receive messages claiming to be from a recognizable
source (e.g. financial institution, telecommunications company, service
provider, shipping company) asking you to submit or confirm your information.
They may even include a malicious link.

Secret Santa

You may have noticed multiple gift exchange posts on your
social media feeds. This may seem like a fun activity where you only have to
send one gift and receive multiples in return. Unfortunately, this exchange
collects some of your personal
information and also hides a pyramid scheme where only those on the
top profit. Pyramid schemes are illegal.

Prize notifications

You may receive a letter or a call saying that you’ve won a
trip, cash or a car, for example. You will be asked to confirm your personal
information and then cover a few fees before your winnings can be delivered.
Remember: If you didn’t enter a contest or raffle, you can’t win. In Canada, you
would never be required to pay fees in advance.

Emergency

Is a supposed loved one reaching out to you because they
need money now and you’re the only one they trust to keep it a secret? Make
sure it’s actually them first by calling them from your contact list.

Gift cards

When buying gift cards in-store, make sure they haven’t been
tampered with by comparing others in stock and checking for a secondary
fraudulent barcode that could have been added to the back of the gift card.
They should also be considered like cash; once they are exchanged, it is
unlikely that you are getting your money back. No legitimate business or
organization will request a gift care for payment.

Identity theft and fraud

Fraudsters love a good shopping spree; especially when
they’re using someone else’s name and money. Contact your financial
institutions and credit bureaus, Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, as soon
as you notice:

a.    Suspicious
activity on your financial statement/s

b.    Unauthorized
activity on your credit report

c.    Letters
approving or declining credit applications you did not authorize

d.    Re-routed
mail

e.    Bills
from service providers you do not use

Shipping Fraud

Fraudsters will impersonate legitimate shipping companies
and send you unsolicited text messages or emails asking for your personal and
payment information because your package can’t be delivered, or it’s being held
for payment. Keep track of the packages you are expecting and don’t respond or
provide any information if you are not sure what the package is.

Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/

Royce Shook Blogger

I served as a teacher, a teacher on Call, a Department Head, a District Curriculum, Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a Provincial Curriculum Coordinator over a forty year career. In addition, I was the Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a professor both online and in person at the University of Phoenix (Canada) from 2000-2010.

I also worked with Special Needs students. I gave workshops on curriculum development and staff training before I fully retired