By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
A friend was recently talking about a fish story, and I was wondering if it were true. But the words “true” and “fish” made me think about the other type of fishing. It’s called phishing and it’s not just a harmless tale of exaggeration. It made me think of all the times as your MPP I’ve heard reports of phishing scams. Not to mention all the other types of scams for that matter. Today, I’m going to send out a warning about the various scams that target all of us. Forewarned is forearmed, and we should all be ready if we’re approached by scammers.
I’ve had people contact me after being scammed into having unnecessary repairs, renovations done, and having various mechanical systems installed in their homes. All under the guise of either government rebates or loans from a financial or energy company.
I can’t divulge any confidential details, but suffice it to say, these scams have hurt many people in Haldimand-Norfolk. Most incidents involved the criminals tailoring their “advertising” to best suit the generation they were targeting. It could have been phone calls, emails, or letters or even a combination thereof.
This part of the province is filled with hard-working salt-of-the-earth types. For many of us, a person’s word is their bond, and a handshake often seals a deal. It’s hard for us to imagine someone working to earn someone’s trust then stabbing them in the back in a confidence game, but, again, unfortunately it happens right here in our midst.
Because so many here and across Ontario and Canada have been affected, the Competition Bureau of Canada issued some time ago a handy online document called “The Little Black Book of Scams, 2nd edition.” It’s a great way to educate and protect yourself. By the way, The Competition Bureau is a federal entity that “is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses.” The protection they offer includes anti-fraud/scam measures and thus this document is a key part of their mandate.
“The Little Black Book of Scams” lists predominant types of scams and how we can protect ourselves. Some scam examples (“scamples” perhaps) they discuss are, as I said at the top, phishing. Which seems to be the basis of many of today’s scams. Phishing is cybercrime when a target is contacted by email, telephone, or text message by a criminal posing as a legitimate individual or institution to con folks into providing private and classified data such as banking and credit card details and passwords. Another is Identity Theft, when criminals fraudulently acquire and use a person’s private identifying information, often for financial gain.
A couple of other nefarious strategies it touches on, which have gained traction, are Romance Scams and Tax Scams. Scammers operate on dating sites tugging at lonely peoples’ heartstrings with fake identities who seem like Prince Charmings or dream girls. Soon enough the requests for money come in and victims are often left with broken hearts and broken finances. Tax Scams are criminals posing as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) telling victims they owe money, and they owe it quickly. Pay now or they will suffer an assortment of penalties. The crooks threaten and pressure to the point some victims have even driven many kilometres to deposit cash to Bitcoin or Crypto ATMs, all of which soars straight into the pockets of these lowlifes.
There are more “scamples” listed within “The Little Black Book of Scams” or easily found using a quick online search. Many of you are aware and well versed, but I think it’s important we get a reminder. We all have weak moments when we let our guard down. For this reason, I urge you to keep your heads up, and if you get approached, just say no. When in doubt, for second opinion, you can always call my office. I don’t want you to be the next phishing story I hear.
The Little Black Book of Scams 2nd edition
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk