Residents of the province are being warned against requests to pay using gift cards.
The Financial and Consumer Services Commission said fraudsters are asking clients to pay for goods using gift cards.
“From bogus offers for free face masks to fraudsters passing as health officials to collect personal information, frauds and scams evolve and adapt at a rapid pace to capitalize on our fears and stress,” said Alaina Nicholson, director of consumer affairs.
“However, the red flags of fraud remain the same. In many of the recent reports, being asked to pay by gift card is one of the red flags that we are seeing.”
The commission said no legitimate organization or business will ask you to pay fees with gift cards.
“Gift cards are used by fraudsters because once the card has been activated and the fraudster has the number and code, they are virtually untraceable,” said Nicholson.
“Fraudsters will also try to pressure you to act quickly by offering limited time offers, threats of fines and other high-pressure tactics so that consumers do not have the time to think before they act, which is another red flag of fraud. Asking questions and thinking seriously before making financial or purchasing decisions is the best way to protect yourself from being victimized by a scam artist or from making a decision that is not in your best interest.”
Consumers can go to the commissions’ website to read about more red flags of fraud.
