Covid scam reports and victims increase
Scammers continue to target Canadians who are working from home and spending more time online.
In the last two months, Better Business Bureau (BBB) saw a 5 per cent increase in Scam Tracker reports about COVID-19 scams, with almost 60 per cent of victims losing money. Victims are losing an average of almost $75 as well as personal and banking information through the submission of fake application forms.
Almost 50 per cent of the COVID scams reported were encountered on a website.
“Our investigations show that a majority of the websites were created in the last three months and are focused on selling items like masks, sanitizers, fake COVID-19 vaccines and cures, discounted travel vacations, gym equipment, video streaming subscriptions and unfortunately, even pets,” said Karla Laird, Manager for Community & Public Relations wit the B.C. Better Business Bureau.