The rules and issues around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve and information changes consistently. Please take note of when our content was written and always go to the sources we’ve provided for the most current guidance.
Since the Government of Canada launched the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), it has become the subject of a number of scams. Here are two popular scams and how to protect yourself from them.
CERB scams
With the current global pandemic, scammers are finding ways to profit off uncertainty and fear. The first step is being aware of what scams are operating and learning how to avoid falling victim to one. With information adapted from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Canada Revenue Agency, here are two popular scams and how to protect yourself from them:
1. Questionable third-party companies offer to help you fill out applications for CERB
How to protect yourself:
- Be wary of third-party companies offering help to fill out applications
- Instead, go to the source directly to apply for CERB
- Make sure you have the right link or number before you apply. Here are the two legitimate ways to apply:
- Online at Canada.ca/Coronavirus
- By automated toll-free phone at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041 (bilingual)
- If you have questions, refer to the Government of Canada webpages on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
2. Criminals using your identity to sign-up for CERB and receive payments
How to protect yourself:
- Be wary of unsolicited e-mails, text messages, telephone calls or mail asking you for personal or financial information
- Check your credit reports, bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities
- Shred personal and financial documents before putting them in the garbage
- Retrieve your mail on a regular basis to limit possible mail theft
- When you move, notify the post office and your relevant financial institutions and service providers
- If you get a text message saying you received a deposit for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit – it is a scam! Do not reply or click on the link, delete the text and warn others
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit: what you need to know
What else you should know about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
COVID-19: returns, refunds, and exchanges
Look through all of our COVID-19 related information on our website.
Where do we fit in?
Yes, we are a provincial regulator. We are responsible for some very specific transactions in BC. We aren’t experts on COVID-19. We won’t – and shouldn’t – ever give medical or legal advice. But we are in a unique circumstance right now and we want to help people navigate the current reality. We don’t have all the answers, but we will do our best to share information from reliable sources, put it in ways that are easy to digest and understand, provide referrals and help you navigate this situation.
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
I was a victim of identity scam to apply for and get 2 CERB payments. I have protected myself. All the things you recommend people do or not do, I have done and my identity (SIN) and CRA account was still hacked. This was a highly organized cyber crime. Your recommendations sound like victim shaming. I did everything right. There’s a problem with govt. system that still needs to be investigated. Meanwhile, I can’t access my CRA acct. for an indefinite time and I can’t even call for any of my info. Now I can only write to them. So now I feel punished instead of the criminals.
Hello and thank you for leaving a comment here. With this blog post, we simply wanted to share some information with the British Columbians and it was definitely not our intention to victim shame. It does sound like you were being diligent with your personal information and you are right – some scammers are highly sophisticated and very hard to avoid. In this case, having a conversation with a lawyer may be helpful (if you haven’t already). Access Pro Bono offers free legal advice (if qualified) and here’s the link to their website. Also, please feel free to call us for any other referrals – 1.888.564.9963 and we’re here Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:30.
Thank you. I’ve reported to Fraud Canada, etc. & they give the same information you do, which is absolutely helpful for some people who may not have time or are not inclined to do research or try to remain tech savvie. Thank you for the legal advice website. It’s always handy to have access to a lawyer because we never know what life can bring & I like to know all legal implications of events like this.
Hi Carrie, glad to hear that you have reported it to the Fraud Centre. Thank you for your kind words.