As the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) continues to spread globally, the RCMP is asking the public to be on the lookout for associated scams.
Consumers in other countries have shared these scenarios:
- Private companies offering fast COVID-19 tests for sale: only hospitals can perform the tests; no other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results.
- Consumers are purchasing large amounts of products and reselling them at higher prices. These products may be: expired, of lower quality and/or dangerous to your health.
- Fraudsters have been going door-to-door offering fake decontamination services
- The Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration in the United States have warned of companies selling fraudulent products that claim to treat or prevent the disease. The United States has not approved any such products. The unapproved drugs threaten public health and violate federal laws.
- Fraudsters posing as police have been imposing on-the-spot fines to consumers wearing masks. They claim that wearing a mask in public goes against a full-face veil law. It isn’t illegal to wear a mask for health reasons.
- Fraudsters may urge you to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease.
- Fraudsters are sending phishing, spear phishing and other malicious email campaigns that capitalize on the public’s fears about Covid-19.
- Fraudsters are creating fraudulent and deceptive online ads. These ads may offer: cleaning products, hand sanitizers, other items in high demand.