Editorial
They say a fool and his money are soon parted. But you don’t have to be a fool to fall victim to a scam these days; it happens to smart people all the time.
It nearly happened to a professional 60-year-old in BC last week when he considered clicking a link to accept an eTransfer on Facebook. The fellow had just listed a pair of work boots for sale and was elated that someone had offered to buy them immediately. The purchaser messaged that he would send payment by eTransfer, so the seller gave him his email address, which he often uses to accept money through his bank account. Minutes later the buyer sent an Interac notice with a link to receive the funds. That’s odd, the fellow mused, since he never had to click a link before to accept an eTransfer.
When he showed his wife the link, she warned him not to click on it because it was a “scam.” Okay, so the fellow messaged the buyer back requesting cash instead. He never heard from the prospective purchaser again, and found out that the guy soon left the Facebook group.
The seller sighed with relief, a little embarrassed that he almost fell prey to the scheme that could have raided his bank account.
As you read this, new and more sophisticated scams are in the making, with fraudsters hoping you are a little more gullible in 2025.
Right now there are call centres in India that hire people to read scripts over the phone, scripts that threaten the innocent with arrest or incarceration if they don’t pay an “outstanding balance.” This approach plays on a person’s emotions and fear which get in the way of logical thinking.
If you only make one resolution this year, be sure to safeguard yourself against these unconscionable jackals.
Don’t click any links until you double check their validity. Imposters are everywhere, and today’s technology can make it easy to fake or clone a voice. Looking for romance? Be wary of dating apps. And what looks like a legitimate shopping site could be a consumer’s worst nightmare.
Be skeptical and do your research before committing to anything over the phone or online.
Remember, Canada Revenue Agency will never threaten you with arrest or jail, and it doesn’t demand payment via Interac, Bitcoin, or gift cards.
One of the latest scams is directed at low income seniors who receive messages that the government is sending out extra payments to them. If you are unsure, call your MP’s office and ask them about it. Once again, don’t click that link because you may regret it for the rest of your life.
Lyonel Doherty, editor
