Offer of $50K payment for ‘medical condition’ a scam, police warn in Ontario

Police are warning you to be on the lookout for a mail scam claiming to offer $50,000 to people with medical conditions like ADHD, cancer and arthritis.

The Niagara Regional Police Service shared the message on social media urging residents to be aware of flyers showing up in mailboxes recently.

The pamphlet claims that you can receive “up to $50,000 from the Government of Canada” if you have or know someone with specific medical conditions including sleep apnea, stroke, diabetes, eating disorders, cancer and “hundreds more.”

“We hate to tell you, but it’s a scam,” Niagara police said in a social media post warning of the scam and urging residents never to share their banking information “with unknown people or organizations.”

“Whether online, in person, or in the mail, always be cautious of unsolicited offers (and) research the source,” police said.

Police haven’t said whether anyone has fallen victim to the scam but say residents should take precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

Some fraudsters employ “spoofing,” which involves impersonating a person or organization, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says to always do your research to verify that the organization you’re dealing with is legitimate.

Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud:

• 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.

For more information on scams and how to protect yourself from fraudsters visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Have you received this in the mail? We hate to tell you, but it’s a scam.

Whether online, in person, or in the mail, always be cautious of unsolicited offers & research the source. Remember, never share banking info with unknown people or organizations.#ScamAlert #kNOwFraud pic.twitter.com/kttYnsKpUG

— NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) November 5, 2024