We’ve recently been made aware that some members are receiving suspicious emails asking you to purchase gift cards and keep the transaction confidential as it is a "surprise."
Please be aware that no member of the DMHA executive is sending these messages. These emails are part of a tactic known as “spear-phishing” or “social engineering” designed to trick you into sending money. Do not reply to these messages or engage with the sender. The best response is to delete the email immediately.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from these types of frauds:
- Verify the sender’s email address. Hover over the sender's name to check the actual email address. Fraudsters often alter a letter or two to make it seem legitimate.
- Double-check the email address when replying. Fraudsters can “spoof” emails, making them appear authentic. When you hit "reply," check that the email address in the "To" field hasn't changed.
- Think before you click. If a link seems suspicious, don’t click on it. Instead, open a browser and navigate directly to the website in question to verify its legitimacy.
- Contact the individual directly. If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of an email request, call the person using a known number to confirm.
- Keep your software up to date. Many updates include security patches that help prevent phishing and email spoofing attempts.
For further guidance on protecting yourself online, here are resources from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
We apologize for any inconvenience or concern caused by these phishing attempts.