3 scams sweeping Ontario this November

Every day, increasingly sophisticated scams target individuals, especially those facing financial hardships, luring them with offers that seem too good to be true.

From fake job offers to counterfeit concert tickets and even scams claiming a ‘package held’ for delivery, fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics to exploit the vulnerable.

Here are three scams making the rounds in November across Ontario, along with tips from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local police to help residents stay vigilant and protect themselves:

Package held scam

In this scam, fraudsters impersonate Canada Customs, sending text messages claiming that a parcel is being held due to an invalid zip code address. The message warns that the parcel cannot be cleared unless the recipient confirms their address. The recipient is urged to click on a link within the text.

The scammers may pressure the recipient to act quickly, demanding that they confirm their address within 24 hours. The message may ask for a reply with a “yes” or direct you to click a link that leads to a malicious website.

This type of scam is a variant of “smishing,” where fraudsters pose as trusted organizations (like Canada Customs) to steal personal information or infect devices with malicious software.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre —a trusted source for alerting the public to emerging scams, offers the following tips for residents to safeguard themselves:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited messages regarding parcels or deliveries.
• Avoid clicking on links from unknown senders.
• Check for grammatical errors or odd phrasing, which can indicate a scam.
• Report suspicious messages to local authorities or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Concert ticket scam

Scammers often target desperate fans hunting for tickets to see their favourite artists, especially when concerts are sold out or in high demand.

Just like with Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated ERAS tour in Toronto, fraudsters have taken advantage of eager fans by offering fake or non-existent tickets.

Since November 14, police across Ontario have been investigating fraudulent ticket sales, including in Halton, where the total estimated value of the fake tickets has surpassed $70,000. Here’s what you should do before making purchases online:

Verify the Seller: Always purchase tickets from official, reputable sources like Ticketmaster. Avoid third-party sellers, especially those you don’t know or who offer deals that seem too good to be true.

Use Secure Payment Methods: Never send money through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Always choose secure payment systems with buyer protection.

Be Aware of Personal Information Theft: According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, scammers may also attempt to steal personal information, such as bank account details or Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), by tricking individuals into clicking on fraudulent links. These deceptive messages often direct victims to fake websites where they’re asked to enter sensitive information.

Immigration scam

Fraudulent immigration consultants exploit newcomers by offering false promises of employment, claiming to assist with immigration applications, and demanding significant upfront fees. In some cases, scammers may convince victims to hand over personal documents or money, making false claims about job placements or immigration status. They prey on vulnerable individuals struggling to navigate the complex immigration system.

These scams can result in financial loss, jeopardize immigration status, and even lead to serious criminal offences such as human trafficking or passport withholding.

According to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants here are some important tips for working with a Canadian immigration consultant:

• Verify your consultant’s status on the Public Register to ensure they are listed as an active Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor. If their status is “Revoked” or “Suspended,” they are not authorized to practice.
• Check disciplinary notices in the Disciplinary Proceedings and Tribunal section for any past issues or actions.
• Ask for references to verify the consultant’s track record.
• Read reviews about the consultant to get feedback from others who have used their services.
• Compare fees with those of other consultants to ensure they are reasonable.
• Contact the immigration consultant directly using the contact information listed on the Public Register.
• Verify any prospective employer or school by contacting them directly if you have questions about a job or study program.

In addition, on Canada.ca, the Canadian government advises that to protect yourself from immigration scams, you should be cautious of anyone guaranteeing a visa or job, as only immigration officers can make these decisions.

Another is to avoid paying high fees, particularly for documents like job offers or Labour Market Impact Assessments.

Legitimate immigration services will never request payments via personal accounts or gift cards, nor will they contact you through social media or free email services. You also do not need to hire a consultant, as all application forms and guides are available online for free.