Scammers may try to capitalize on tragic discovery of children's remains at former residential school, BBB warns
Weeks after the remains of more than 200 children were found buried at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., the Better Business Bureau in that province is warning of possible scams aiming to capitalize on the tragedy.
In a news release Wednesday, the BBB said an "overwhelming outpouring of support" has created opportunity for scams, fake charities and fake online retailers.
"There is clearly a huge concern right now – and, you know, a lot of support – an outpouring of love and support for the Indigenous community right now in light of what has happened and the discovery that has been made," Karla Laird, senior manager for media and communications at BBB, told CTV News Vancouver.
"With those kinds of sentiments circulating, it's very easy for scammers to take advantage of that knowing that there are donors out there willing to support, willing to spend money, willing to give in you know any way that they can, and so ultimately it's playing on their generosity."
In one example, the BBB said a consumer sent a report about a Facebook ad allegedly posted by an online retailer called Tee Toro. According to the BBB, that ad said proceeds from sales would go to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society.
The consumer, who is from Surrey, told the BBB the link takes the consumer to a site selling orange T-shirts for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
"However, there is no further mention about donation proceeds anywhere on the website or at any point of the transaction process," the consumer reportedly told the BBB.
The BBB since began its own investigation into the post, saying it found the address on Tee Toro's site actually belonged to an online T-shirt company it has no affiliations with called Viral Style.
"It is believed that Tee Toro has hijacked Viral Style's address and contact information to appear legitimate to unsuspecting consumers," the BBB said of its findings.
"There have also been several consumer warnings on other platforms about Tee Toro, where consumers report making purchases of up to $54 USD and nothing was delivered."
The BBB recommends researching a stated charity and confirming it's registered in Canada. As well, it's important to get details before purchasing an item and make sure the company is transparent about how much is actually being donated, the BBB says.
Consumers also shouldn't click on pop-ups soliciting donations and should be wary of unsolicited emails, even if they claim to be linked to a recognized organization.
"Opportunists trying to take advantage of a horrible tragedy is nothing new," Laird said.
"In these recent reports, suspicious retailers seem to be using cause-related marketing strategies, where they lure in consumers with the pitch that when they conduct transactions on their platforms, some of the purchase price will help charities connected to Indigenous peoples. However, these retailer websites have no connections to the stated charities and are simply cashing in on your generosity and willingness to help others."
The discovery in Kamloops has sparked nationwide grief and calls for more searches at other such institutions.
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission report found that at least 4,100 children died in Canada’s residential school system.
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson Airport: police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year, Peel Regional Police said Wednesday.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
'Enormous sum of money': Actor Hugh Grant settles privacy lawsuit against tabloid
British actor Hugh Grant has settled a lawsuit against the publisher of Rupert Murdoch's tabloid newspaper, The Sun, over claims journalists used private investigators to tap his phone and burgle his house, he said on Wednesday.
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archaeological site in southwest France.
O.J. Simpson was chilling with a beer on a couch before Easter, lawyer says. 2 weeks later he was dead
O.J. Simpson's last robust discussion with his longtime lawyer was just before Easter, at the country club home Simpson leased southwest of the Las Vegas Strip. About a week later, on April 5, a doctor said Simpson was 'transitioning.'
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.
U.K. plan to phase out smoking for good passes first hurdle
The British government's plan for a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking cleared its first hurdle in Parliament on Tuesday despite vocal opposition from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party.
Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Australian clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
The father of a boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics in Australia saw no signs of his son’s extremism, a Muslim community leader said on Wednesday as police began arresting suspected rioters who besieged a Sydney church demanding revenge.