There is a Air Canada Gift Card Scam currently going on. They are claiming to be from the Air Canada and saying that you won an Air Canada gift card. Do you want to know if its a scam? You are at the right place. Read this review to find out more about the Air Canada Gift Card Scam.
What is Air Canada Gift Card Scam
Air Canada Gift Card is a recent scam currently going on. Scammers call you claiming to be from Air Canada saying that you have won a free gift card. They also say that they are running a promotional and a customer appreciation event. This is to make their claims sound genuine.
However this is all scam. They are simply fraudulent attempts to trick people into providing their personal information or to spread malware.
They go on to ask for your personal information such as your credit card details or social security number, under the guise of verifying your identity. Once they have this information, they’ll use it to make unauthorized purchases or commit identity theft.
They also send a message and these messages contain links that they ask you to click on. When you click on the link, it takes you to a phishing website. The main aim of these scams is to generate traffic, collect personal data, and also spread malware. The link may take the user to a fake website that appears to be official, but it is a scam website designed to trick them into providing their personal information such as their name, address, and financial details. The scammers behind these scams can use this information for identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities.
Tips To Protect Yourself From Air Canada Gift Card Scam Text And Other Phishing Texts.
- Verify the Sender: Ensure the text message is indeed from the legitimate source (e.g., the official Air Canada). Verify the sender’s number and email address.
- Beware of Generic Messages: Be cautious of generic or vague messages. Legitimate companies usually include specific details in their messages.
- Don’t click links in text messages. Links are often used to install malware or keyloggers—software that tracks what you type. If you’ve clicked a link by mistake, consider installing an antivirus app to scan your device.
- Don’t respond to a suspicious text message. Like website links, text responses can be used to verify your phone number and gain access to your personal information. Some financial institutions, do use text messages to verify suspicious purchases. However, those texts will never request personal information. Check with your financial institution to see if it offers SMS text banking or mobile alerts. That way you can identify the difference between a real message and a fake.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal information, financial details, or sensitive data in response to unsolicited text messages. Legitimate companies do not request this information via text.
- Check the URL: If a link is provided, manually type the official URL into your web browser rather than clicking on the link in the message. Scammers often use fake websites to collect information.
- Report Suspicious Messages: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the legitimate company or network and relevant authorities.
- Use Security Software: Install and keep up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices to help detect and prevent phishing attacks.
What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim To The Air Canada Gift Card Scam
If you have fallen victim to the Air Canada Gift Card Scam, these are the necessary steps to take to protect yourself:
- Disconnect from the Internet: If you suspect that your computer or device has been compromised, disconnect from the internet to prevent any further unauthorized access to your data.
- Change Your Passwords: Change the passwords for all your online accounts, especially for those that were involved in the phishing attempt. Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a reputable password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Keep a close eye on your financial accounts, including your bank and credit card statements, for any unauthorized transactions. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to your financial institution immediately.
- Notify the Appropriate Authorities: Report the phishing attempt to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States or similar authorities in other countries. This helps in preventing the same scam from targeting others.
- Run a Virus Scan: If you clicked on any links or downloaded any attachments from the phishing email, run a thorough virus scan on your computer to detect and remove any potential malware.
- Educate Yourself: Take the opportunity to educate yourself and your colleagues or family members about how to recognize phishing attempts. Understanding the common signs of phishing scams can help prevent future incidents.
- Contact the Impersonated Organization: If the phishing scam involved an attempt to gather information by posing as a legitimate organization, notify that organization of the incident. They may be able to provide further guidance and take action to prevent similar scams.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Consider enabling two-factor authentication for your accounts, where possible. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access your accounts.
- Consider Freezing Your Credit: If you believe your personal information, such as your Social Security number, has been compromised, consider placing a freeze on your credit with the major credit bureaus. This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name without your explicit permission.
- Stay Vigilant: Remain vigilant and cautious in your online activities. Be skeptical of unsolicited emails, messages, or calls that request sensitive information or appear to be from unfamiliar sources.
How to prevent being Scammed?
When you get such calls or email. Ensure it is coming from a company mail and not @gmail, @yahoo, @aol and the likes. If it is a number, pen the number down and ask the company they are representing , its far better to even drop the call without engaging them. Don’t click any links on the email and don’t reply as well. Check for reviews online about the company to ascertain its legitimacy. If it involves PayPal, then checkout how to report here. And always ensure you don’t disclose personal details like credit card details, social security details and personal ids. You can also download spam call blocking apps on your phone.
Conclusion
To be on the safer side, do not follow the scam page or click on any link as these are scammers who are looking for ways to steal your personal and financial information.
