With any major emergency whether a pandemic or natural disasters, fraudsters use it as an opportunity for monetary gain. OPP Constable Stephanie Belec says even though there haven’t been any COVID-19 fraud attempts in this region, but it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
“You need to watch out for Fraud Calls especially when there is a a crisis like this or something new coming out like Fraud calls from Revenue Canada,” she said.
OPP in both Sault Ste. Marie and Manitoulin regions says several residents complained that fraudsters were trying to get them to purchase a new COVID-19 test kit. Belec gives us several avenues should we have questions regarding fraud.
“The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website is a great resource or call them and they can provide you with the latest fraud attempts going on,” she said. “They have a page dedicated to COVID-19 set up.”
Here are the links to the COVID-19 Fraud attempts from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.