Canadian authorities warn of surge in fake ‘milk settlement’ text scam exploiting class-action credibility

Canadian authorities are alerting the public to a surge in text message scams falsely advertising payouts from a fabricated “milk settlement.” Fraudsters are leveraging the credibility of genuine class-action lawsuits to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive personal and financial data. Cybersecurity expert Terry Cutler explains that scammers obtain email addresses and phone numbers to send mass messages with links to deceptive websites. He advises individuals to independently verify any settlement claims by searching for the lawsuit online and visiting the official website, rather than clicking on links in unsolicited messages.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that these fake settlement messages are part of a broader increase in cyber scams, with reported losses exceeding $2.4 billion since 2022 – a figure officials believe is significantly underestimated due to underreporting. The shift to online crime facilitates anonymity for scammers, making it harder for law enforcement to track and apprehend them.

Legitimate settlement processes, as explained by Linda Visser, involve advance notification and a straightforward claim form process. Authorities urge caution and independent verification to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

(Source：The Economic Times)