After receiving a number of reports from residents, BBB is warning consumers to double check any correspondence coming from Revenue Canada by email as it is likely a phishing scam.
How the scam works:
The target receives an email that is supposedly from Canada Revenue Agency saying they are now able to claim their tax refund. Some emails may specify a monetary amount of tax refund. The target is prompted to click on a link to fill out a form and submit personal information in order to claim the funds. Once the fraudsters receive the information, the target is left vulnerable to identity theft, credit card fraud or other nasty outcomes.
President and CEO of BBB Serving Mainland BC, Danielle Primrose, says “Technology is making it easier for scammers to con victims out of their hard-earned money.” “Fraudsters are hiding behind realistic looking logos of trustworthy organizations that are trusted by consumers during the right of time of year when people may be filing their taxes” she says. “Now, more than ever, it is crucial for consumers to trust their gut and check with BBB before making a financial decision.”
BBB provides consumers with these common red flags of email phishing scams:
• Don’t believe what you see. Scammers can easily copy a real business’ colours, logo and even email address.
• Hover over links to check sources. Place your mouse over hyper-linked text and the true destination will appear.
• Be wary of unsolicited emails that contain links or sends attachments. Never click on links or open files in emails unless you know sender and are expecting it.
• Beware of pop-ups. Some pop-ups are designed to look like they’ve originated from your computer. If you see a pop-up that warns of a problem that needs to be fixed with an extreme level of urgency, it may be a scam.
• Watch for poor grammar and spelling. Scam emails often are riddled with typos and usually indicate that English is not the writer’s primary language.
• Ignore calls for immediate action. Scam emails try to get you to act before you think by creating a sense of urgency. Don’t fall for it!
• Never provide unsolicited information. Never respond to an unsolicited email or phone call requesting for personal details without first verifying the source through a phone number or website you can trust.
• Update your antivirus. Regularly updating your security software will go a long way in protecting your computer should you happen to click on a malicious link.