We want to remind all Haisla Nation members to stay alert and protect yourselves and your loved ones from scams, which are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.
Scammers are getting creative in how they try to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. These scams may come through phone calls, text messages, emails, or social media—and often appear convincing or urgent.
🚨 Common Tactics Scammers Use:
- Pretending to be a friend or family member in trouble and asking for money or gift cards.
- Claiming to be from a government agency, law enforcement, or a bank demanding immediate payment.
- Offering fake prizes, job opportunities, or investment deals.
- Creating fake caller ID numbers or email addresses to appear legitimate.
✅ Tips to Protect Yourself:
- Create a family “safe word”: Have a unique word or phrase that only your family uses to confirm identities in emergencies.
- Don’t send money or gift cards to anyone unless you are 100% sure of their identity.
- Hang up or don’t respond to unexpected requests for personal information, especially if they’re asking for payment urgently.
- Verify first. If someone contacts you claiming to be a loved one in trouble, call them back on a known number to confirm.
- Don’t click on suspicious links in texts or emails.
- Report suspicious messages to the appropriate authorities or service providers.
🛡️ What to Do If You Think You've Been Targeted:
- Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
📞 1-888-495-8501
🌐 www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- Talk to your bank or card provider immediately if you’ve shared financial information.
- Let your family or community staff know so we can help protect others.
Let’s work together to protect our community. Please share this information with your friends, family, and elders—especially those who may be more vulnerable to these tactics.
