BBB warns of affordability payment scam
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Medicine Hat, AB–The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning Albertans about a text scam linked to the recently announced affordability payments. Applications for payments are available to eligible families, seniors, and the most vulnerable Albertans through an online secure platform or in person.
In this scam, a person receives a text message claiming to be from the provincial government. The message says you can apply to receive the affordability relief payment by clicking a link.
Here is an example of a message one person received:
“Congratulations! You qualified for Alberta’s Affordability Action Plan relief payment. Fill out the secure form linked below to deposit your first payment.”
The consumer was then redirected to a banking screen to choose his financial institution. The Alberta government clearly states on its website that it will NOT send text message or emails asking Albertans to submit personal or banking information to receive payments.
“Scammers are opportunists, and they take advantage of announcements like this to try and get money and personal information,” says Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, President and CEO of BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay. “Ultimately they are after your cash and or identity.”
The BBB has some suggestions on how to avoid being scammed:
Government agencies do not typically communicate through text messages. Go to the official website yourself (without clicking on the link) to verify any information you receive via text.
·Ignore instructions to text “STOP” or “NO” to prevent future texts. This is a common ploy by scammers to confirm they have a real, active phone number.
·Don’t click on links from strangers. Scammers often send shortened links that don’t let you see where they really lead in the body of their text message. If you click the link, you could be directed to a dangerous website, or you could download malware onto your device.
