1 in 3 Canadians have received fake texts within last 3 months: Equifax Canada

Chances are you get them almost every day. Scam texts that look like they’re from your bank, Canada Post or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

While most of us know we must be careful not to click on links that could be fraudulent, more people are concerned they could get scammed.

“You hear of it happening to other people, but you don’t think it will happen to you” said Kevin Boricic, of Bowmanville, Ont.

Boricic recently used Facebook Marketplace to sell a fishing rod, and he got an e-transfer link sent to him by a person he thought was a buyer and expected to receive $150.

Instead, when he clicked on the link to have the money go into his bank account, scammers were able to hack into his account and remove $400.

“It was an e-transfer from him. I didn’t except money to come out of my account” said Boracic.

A New Equifax Cybersecurity Survey finds fraud is becoming a real threat to many Canadians and more people are worried they could accidentally get hacked and lose money.

Scams are arriving by text, email and social media and it’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

Scam texts may claim you have a 407-toll bill due, that you’re expecting money from the government for a rebate cheque, or you have a traffic ticket ready to pay.

You might also receive a text saying you have a delivery ready from Canada Post, a job offer, or a rebate from your phone company. In most cases the fake texts contain links that criminals want you to click on and enter your personal information.

The Equifax survey found that one in three Canadians received fraudulent job offers or fake CRA texts in last three months. The survey shows 75 per cent of Canadians worry about being hacked, 13 per cent admit clicking on a fraudulent link and six per cent have already had their identity stolen.

Equifax’s Julie Kuzmic, Director of Consumer Advocacy, said many of the scam messages are designed to sound urgent pressuring you to act fast.

“Any of these texts that are urgent and require you to do something immediately should be the first red flag there might be an issue here,” said Kuzmic.

There is a new website Standagainstscams.ca which is part of a national awareness campaign launched by the Canadian Anti-Scam Coalition. Financial institutions, telecoms, and other businesses have come together to help educate Canadians on how to protect themselves and recognize fraud.

The central message is a three-step process. Stop and think. Check to see if it’s legitimate and if you’re not sure ask family and friends. Talk then share details about scams to protect others.

“The best strategy at this point is to be vigilant and use many layers of protection,” said Kuzmic.

Be suspicious of any unknown text you receive until you can check it out thoroughly and be cautious before clicking on links sent to you.

Boricic said he was hoping to make a little money selling a fishing pole when he was scammed out of $400 that he couldn’t afford to lose.

“It means a lot because my wife can’t work, she is in a wheelchair, and I’m off work myself. Four hundred dollars is not a lot of money for some people but for me it means a lot,” said Boricic.

You should know government agencies and banks will never contact you by text with links to click on and if you get a text from a businesses or delivery service contact them directly at a number you find yourself to see if it’s legitimate.