Don’t click that link: cops warn of Covid-19 scams

By James Langton | April 28, 2020 | Last updated on April 28, 2020
1 min read
MANUEL BREVA COLMEIRO / AFP / GETTY IMAGES
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Toronto police are warning about an increase in online scams invoking the Covid-19 outbreak.

Police issued a public safety alert that warns of a variety of pandemic-driven frauds, including unsolicited text messages requesting banking information to process payments from government emergency support programs or the CRA.

Other scams include demands to pay fines for venturing outside, threats of cancelled services (such as streaming services) and emails with fraudulent or malicious links involving “special offers” for Covid-19-related products and services.

Toronto police also reported that its investigators have uncovered various phone-based and door-to-door scams, including offers to shop for groceries and sales of Covid-19-related products.

Amid the uptick in scams, police warned the public against clicking links in texts and emails, sharing banking information or installing unknown apps, among other online security tips.

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James Langton

James is a senior reporter for Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. He has been reporting on regulation, securities law, industry news and more since 1994.