Elizabeth Haddock received a text message instructing her to confirm her eligibility for the “Canadian Bread Class Action settlement by April 1st.” Despite initial doubts due to the 902 area code, Haddock proceeded to click the link as she had previously registered for the settlement and was anticipating a payout. The link led her to a website where she was prompted to fill out a form to claim her portion, stated to be $182.
Although the website seemed authentic, Haddock became wary when asked to provide her credit card details for refund processing, leading her to suspect it was a scam. Haddock, a 56-year-old resident of Mono, Ont., expressed concern that others might fall victim to such tactics.
Haddock was one of two individuals who contacted CBC News over the weekend regarding suspicious text messages related to a $500-million settlement linked to a class-action lawsuit concerning bread price fixing. Jay Strosberg from Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP confirmed that these texts were fraudulent, and the law firm is collaborating with the RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to address the issue.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre disclosed that they had received nine reports of phishing text messages since March 1, all requesting personal information and credit card details. Of these reports, four victims reported compromised credit card information. The Centre advised caution, emphasizing that the actual number of incidents could be significantly higher.
It was emphasized that there are only two legitimate websites for the class-action lawsuit, one for Quebec residents and another for the rest of Canada, both of which closed the claims process in December. Despite this, fraudulent websites mimicking the legitimate platforms continue to emerge, prompting concerns among legal authorities.
Eligible Canadian residents who purchased packaged bread between 2001 and 2021 were encouraged to claim compensation from the national settlement with Loblaw Companies Ltd. and George Weston Ltd. The claims process concluded on December 12, with payments expected to commence in April through e-transfer or cheque.
The legitimate websites warned against responding to text messages requesting personal or payment information, as these are red flags for potential scams. It was reiterated that no messages would be sent to individuals regarding the settlement process.
CBC News investigated the fraudulent websites and found them to be misleading, promising substantial refunds in exchange for personal and credit card details. The report highlighted instances where individuals were lured into providing sensitive information under false pretenses, reiterating the importance of vigilance and awareness in online interactions.