Toronto police are warning about an increase in online scams invoking the Covid-19 outbreak.
Police issued a public safety alert that warns of a variety of pandemic-driven frauds, including unsolicited text messages requesting banking information to process payments from government emergency support programs or the CRA.
Other scams include demands to pay fines for venturing outside, threats of cancelled services (such as streaming services) and emails with fraudulent or malicious links involving “special offers” for Covid-19-related products and services.
Toronto police also reported that its investigators have uncovered various phone-based and door-to-door scams, including offers to shop for groceries and sales of Covid-19-related products.
Amid the uptick in scams, police warned the public against clicking links in texts and emails, sharing banking information or installing unknown apps, among other online security tips.