06/11/2026
This is a PSA for other charities regarding a fraud & scam; we have been targeted twice. This has been reported on the RCMP/Gov fraud site but since we caught it in time and didn't actually lose any money, I don't think anything will come of it.
First you get an email from a company out of Ontario. When you check, the company is perfectly legitimate, no obvious cause for concern. The email will say they have a good client who wants to make a donation to support animal welfare. They ask all the right questions, well written, everything looks legitimate . . . until it isn't. Suddenly the money isn't arriving from Canada, it arrives from the USA, and then they say the cheque is for an incorrect amount, can you issue a partial refund. The cheque will look perfectly legitimate. From a Canadian company, Canadian bank, nothing on the cheque would immediately cause any concern. Except the company is a victim of identity theft and the cheque will bounce. There was enough red flags in changes to the story, to open my eyes that is a scam. And it was.
Fast forward 3 months later, same story, another reputable Ontario company, another identity theft, another believable story. Except this time there is no cheque, they want to send a wire transfer that will be coming from the USA. Another scam.
So other charities please be advised not to share banking information, not to issue refunds, keep your eyes open to fraudsters because they are every where and now targeting animal charities. As if we are all not busy enough with messages about too many cats that need help. . .
