Suspicious Email? Don’t Get Hooked!

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Watch out for fake text messages from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Phishing: sending fake emails or text messages to get your personal information.

Fraud and technology

Advances in technology make fraud hard to spot. Phishing is one of the most frequent schemes.

For example, you get an email that looks like it comes from your bank saying money was transferred to your account. You’re asked to click on a link. It brings you to a website that looks like your bank’s site. Then you’re asked for your banking information and it goes straight to the fraudster.

“Click here to cash your cheque”

Tax time is rife with phishing. A fake text message is going around pretending to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It says a refund is ready to be deposited into your account. You’re asked to go to a site that looks like the CRA site. Then you’re asked for your banking information and social insurance number (SIN).

Did you get hooked?

If you’re a victim of fraud, contact your municipal police or the Sûreté du Québec. Depending on the information stolen (credit card, SIN, etc.), organizations like the Régie de l’assurance maladie (RAMQ) or credit card and telephone companies can be charged with fraud.

There are signs to help you spot phishing, such as spelling mistakes or being told you’re getting money when you’re not expecting any. The CRA website lists things a real email will never ask.

Fraud can take many forms, such as fake lotteries, stock-purchase schemes and pyramid sales. It can come by email, telephone, mail, etc.  Seniors are especially vulnerable to financial fraud.