Text scam targets victims claiming Canadian Emergency Response Benefit Plan
Fraudsters are using the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit as a ploy to solicit funds from unsuspecting Canadians in a new text scam.
During his daily address on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned of a scam that’s been circulated over text message in the past few days. It capitalizes on the $107 billion plan the government is putting forth in an attempt to assist Canadians who are out of work or unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The message reads: Alert: The emergency response benefit of Canada relief fund has sent you a deposit for, and then lists an amount. The message is accompanied by a link the receiver is told to click on in order to access their money. The link ends with a .xyz, and states that some data rates may apply.
The Prime Minister stressed that these text messages were not from the government.
“I'm sorry to say there appears to be a text scam going around on the new emergency response benefit,” he said. “I want to remind everyone that the government's website is the best place to find reliable information on everything we're doing,”
Just got this...obviously a scam...hopefully everyone can spot the .xyz and knows that Canada uses exclusively .gc.ca and isn't about to text us about money... don't fooled by this scam pic.twitter.com/czviiVcRuT
— Dustin Matheson (@MathesonDustin) March 26, 2020
SCAM ALERT: Do not click any texts or emails regarding the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit.
Be extra careful. Payments will not be be coming in until at least 10 days after you apply.
That means April 16th at the earliest.
If you’re unsure, ask a tech savvy friend to help. https://t.co/4j3Ep4y4tS— Izzy Piyale-Sheard 🇨🇦🌎 (@izzydoesizzy) March 26, 2020
Scam alert: Text msg from "The emergency response benefit of Canda relief fund has sent me a deposit for $1375.50 and a link to which "Data rates may apply." Lmao Stupid f*kcers can't scalp toilet paper & sani wipes anymore so onto the next scam. 😂😂😂😂
— Gaylene (@GayleneSass) March 26, 2020
1 of 2 | A text scam is going around #ceg3 aimed at exploiting people who are looking to apply for the new Canada’s Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
We ask residents to beware of any suspicious text messages about CERB, and to only rely on the Canadian government... pic.twitter.com/131vZ1yKUt— City of Lacombe 🇨🇦 (@CityofLacombe) March 26, 2020
2 of 2 | ...website (https://t.co/flxnLMYozR) for details about the new benefit.
If you receive suspicious texts, please report them to the @lacombepolice. See photo of a sample of the scam message:— City of Lacombe 🇨🇦 (@CityofLacombe) March 26, 2020
Canada's Dad having to tell us to not fall for text scams related to the Emergency Benefit is pretty wild.
— Dave™ (@d_phrase) March 26, 2020
Finance Canada urged anyone who receives the text not to reply or click on the link. It recommends deleting the text and letting others know about it.
#ScamAlert If you get a text message saying you received a deposit for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Beware it is a scam! Do not reply or click on the link, delete the text and warn others. #COVID19 #EconomicResponse pic.twitter.com/AJkwADcEay
— FinanceCanada (@FinanceCanada) March 26, 2020
