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Residents need to watch out for fraud during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The RCMP says that it has been a growing issue across the country.
One of most hit provinces has been Ontario.
Senior RCMP Intelligence Analyst with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Jeff Thomson, explains how these fraudsters are taking advantage of people.
Thomson adds that fraud reports have gone up since the outbreak began.
More than $1.9 million is reported to be stolen from people through fraud since the beginning of the outbreak.
Thomson says while it does include stealing things like CERB payments from residents, it also could just be shifty online marketplace practices.
He says his experience has taught him that people will take advantage of anything, even a pandemic.
The RCMP asks that you remain vigilant of potential scams, including the following:
– Unsolicited calls, emails and texts requesting urgent action or payment, or offering medical advice, financial relief or government assistance
– Unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money
– Questionable or deceptive ads or offers — if it’s too good to be true, it probably is
