**** Canadian Anti-Fraud Release
Fraud alert!
The CAFC has received reports of phishing text message scams tied to COVID-19 vaccines. The text messages claim to be from the Government of Canada and will say that due to a recent vaccination, Canadians are eligible for a Vaccine Relief Fund. The message then tells you to claim your funds by clicking on a link. The goal is to steal your personal and/or financial information, which can be used for identity fraud. Don’t click the link and don’t provide any personal information.
A scammer sends an email that appears to be from a recognizable institution or company such as a bank or online subscription service such as Netflix or Amazon. The email may claim that you need to update your account or that your tax refund is ready. Whatever the message is, the email is an attempt to trick you into providing your personal or financial information.
Variation: Malicious links
A variation is a phishing email with minimal text that encourages you to click on links or attachments. The email may seem to be a receipt from a recent purchase, a delivery notification, or something more urgent, such as a notice to appear in court. If you click on the link or attachment, your computer is infected with a virus or malware.
