Closures and service interruptions

October 11, 2012

Canada Post warns Canadians about Fraud Scam

October 11, 2012

Canada Post is warning Canadians to be aware of a recent scam in which some individuals are receiving a letter fraudulently using the Canada Post logo and identified as coming from Canada Post.

The letter asks the receiver to secretly pose as a customer sending funds via MoneyGram to help determine the performance level of MoneyGram International service at Canada Post or Shoppers Drug Mart outlets.

This letter is not from Canada Post and Canadians should not respond to this fraudulent solicitation.

Canada Post Security and Investigation Services are investigating this matter and have notified the proper law enforcement authorities.

For information about this and other fraud scams, visit http://www.canadapost.ca/postalsecurity.

To report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com.

For information on the recent Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) warning regarding a CRA letter scam, visit: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/lrts/2008/l080818-eng.html

All Canadians should be vigilant when reviewing unsolicited material by mail that asks them to divulge any of their personal information, or seeks their participation in any monetary transactions. Fraud schemes such as this are commonly characterized by the following:

  • You are hired on the basis of an email or phone call, without any personal interview or background checks. That's not how legitimate companies operate.
  • You are asked to help process payments by depositing checks or money orders intended for their company into your bank account. You send them the money and you keep the extra as your ‘pay.’ Real companies never operate in this manner.
  • You are asked to be a "mystery shopper". You send funds from a check or money order to ‘test’ a money transfer service or buy several small items at a store and send the rest of the money back to them. Legitimate companies would never ask you to use a money transfer or delivery service to send cash to them or anywhere else, for any purpose.