Cobourg Police Service is issuing a fraud alert following a recent email gift card scam. In the recent report, a 78-year-old woman was defrauded approximately $300 after receiving an email stating a family member was in the hospital. The victim sent $300 to an email for Amazon gift cards.
In this type of scam, fraudsters use multiple tactics to trick their victim. Protect yourself from these types of scams.
• Always verify the authenticity of any email or message claiming a family emergency. Contact the family
member directly or through other trusted means before taking action.
• Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency. Take time to verify the
information before taking any action.
• Legitimate organizations and individuals rarely request payment via gift cards. If asked to purchase or
send gift cards, it’s likely a scam.
• Look for signs of phishing, such as poor grammar, misspellings, and suspicious email addresses. These
can indicate a fraudulent message.
• Never click on suspicious links.
• If you receive a suspicious email, report it to your email provider and local authorities.
Stay informed about the latest scams by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website. If you or a family member were a victim of fraud, report it to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free).
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
