Saskatchewan man shares story of losing $30,000 to text scam just before Christmas
A Prince Albert man said he lost nearly $30,000 to a text message scam just before Christmas.
Norm Richards told CTV he received a text Dec. 21 that appeared to be from PayPal.
The text said he had authorized a payment to Walmart. Concerned, Richards called the 1-800 number that was included in the message and spoke with someone who said they were a manager.
"It seemed to me that he was being trustworthy," Richards explained. "So, I went along with the inquiries he made and things he asked me to do."
The scammer convinced Richards to make gift card purchases and to share his debit and credit card information.
Within a few hours his bank account was drained along with his crypto wallet, which he says contained funds valued at over $22,000 USD.
"I had an account with one of the companies that handle, bitcoin trading and they convinced me to get in there too," he said.
The incident has caused Richards to fall behind on his rent. He said he reported the scam to the Prince Albert Police Service.
Over 5,000 text messages were reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2023.
Saskatoon-based tech expert Chad Jones has a tip for anyone who wants to avoid falling victim to similar text message scams.
"On the iPhone you can [go] into messages and there's a setting to filter out unknown senders," he explained.
"If they turn on that setting then they won't get these texts."
He said Android users have a similar setting on their phone to block unwanted texts called "Spam Protection."
"That means that if some random person texts you, you might not get the text, but they just have to phone you instead," Jones added.
The Prince Albert Police advise members of the public not to give out personal information over the phone or on the internet and to protect their social insurance number.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
Curler Briane Harris not at fault for anti-doping rule violation, provisional ban lifted
Canadian curler Briane Harris is eligible to return to the sport after an absence of nearly one year.
Calgary homeowner faces challenge after property assessment jumps 60%
Stan Valant, a long-time resident of Calgary's Silver Springs, is baffled by the city's recent assessment of his bi-level home.
Harm reduction advocates hope high court will 'clarify' Canada's 'Good Samaritan' law
Canada's Good Samaritan law, which is meant to shield people from arrest after they seek help for someone in medical distress, is under spotlight in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Why is Spain considering a 100 per cent tax on homes bought by non-EU residents?
Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100% tax on properties bought by non-European Union residents.
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, officials say
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said Israel and the Palestinian militant group were at the "closest point" yet to sealing a deal that would bring them a step closer to ending the war.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, visits hospital where she had cancer treatment
Kate, Princess of Wales, visited a London hospital on Tuesday where she underwent cancer treatment last year to personally thank medics there for their care and support, her office said.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan Marshals Service interviewing Mounties for positions before launching
Saskatchewan's new provincial police force has begun interviewing Mounties as it prepares to launch this year, a move critics say highlights concerns of job poaching.
-
Former Regina mayoral candidate Nathaniel Hewton released with conditions
Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
-
Keith Urban announces fall concert stops in Regina and Saskatoon
Country music star Keith Urban will be performing two shows in Saskatchewan as part of his upcoming 'High and Alive World Tour.'
Winnipeg
-
Curler Harris not at fault for anti-doping rule violation, provisional ban lifted
Canadian curler Briane Harris is eligible to return to the sport after an absence of nearly one year.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
-
Winnipeg looking at acquiring Lemay Forest
The City of Winnipeg is looking into the possibility of acquiring Lemay Forest.
Edmonton
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Josh Classen's forecast: Warm for now, turning stormy Thursday
The warm spell continues for today and Wednesday with afternoon temperatures a handful of degrees above zero.
-
Firefighters deploy widely as strong winds threaten more Los Angeles neighbourhoods
Weary and anxious from a week of massive infernos burning around Los Angeles and now facing dire new warnings, residents gathered up their pets and family photos and prepared to flee at a moment's notice as fire-fuelling winds blasted Tuesday across Southern California.
Calgary
-
Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes
A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project will resume in Calgary on Tuesday.
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Calgary councillor won't seek re-election in October
Evan Spencer, councillor for Calgary's Ward 12, will not be running for re-election later this year.
Lethbridge
-
'Cautiously optimistic': Home sales and starts expected to rise in Lethbridge in 2025
Those in Lethbridge's real estate sector are expecting anther busy year, with both home sales and starts expected to rise in 2025.
-
What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley
As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
Toronto
-
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
Man allegedly posed as investment broker, contractor to defraud victims: Toronto police
Toronto police say an arrest has been made after a man allegedly posed as both an investment broker and contractor to defraud multiple victims.
Ottawa
-
16 per cent of all photo radar, red light camera tickets in Ottawa issued on a 1 km stretch of road
King Edward Avenue is the hot spot for photo radar and red light camera tickets, with 16 per cent of all camera-related traffic tickets in Ottawa issued to drivers on a one-kilometre stretch of the road in Lowertown.
-
Lack of chargers a top concern for EV owners, but most would still buy another: CAA
A new survey of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) owners suggests that a lack of accessible charging stations is their main concern, but most would still buy another when the time comes.
-
Highway 17 closed between Pembroke and Cobden following Tuesday morning fatal crash
Ontario Provincial Police say emergency crews responded to a collision on the highway between County Road 24/White Water Road in Pembroke and Main Street in Cobden before 4 a.m.
Montreal
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman struck and injured by vehicle
Montreal Canadien forward Emil Heineman was struck and hit by a vehicle on Monday and will be out around a month.
-
Raccoon with rabies identified in Quebec’s Eastern Townships
After several cases were detected in Vermont, Quebec has now identified a case of raccoon rabies near the U.S. border.
-
Major crash in St-Hubert leaves teen in critical condition
Longueuil police (SPAL) are investigating after a collision left a young man in critical in the Saint-Hubert borough on Monday night.
Vancouver
-
Stabbing, shooting under investigation on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
Mounties on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast say they’re investigating a string of violent crimes that happened late last month and are asking for witnesses to come forward.
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
-
'No stone will be left unturned’ B.C. assembles team to fight Trump tariffs
The provincial government is assembling a group of business and labour leaders to strategize the best way to deal with looming tariffs threats from president-elect Donald Trump.
Kelowna
-
West Kelowna fire chief says L.A. devastation a haunting reminder of B.C. blaze
The fire chief of a British Columbia community devastated by a fast-moving wildfire in 2023 says it's "haunting" to see similar circumstances playing out in Southern California.
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
Vancouver Island
-
Stabbing, shooting under investigation on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
Mounties on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast say they’re investigating a string of violent crimes that happened late last month and are asking for witnesses to come forward.
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
London
-
Convicted field party killer pleads guilty to weapons charge
The 23-year-old man convicted in the bush party shooting of a teenager was back in court again on Monday, this time pleading guilty to a weapons offence.
-
Grieving mother hopes to implement Life Jacket Loaner program in Elgin County
Ryan Davies and his friends were out for an early morning fishing trip in the man-made lake when the canoe tipped over. Two people were rescued, but Davies, 26, never resurfaced.
-
Jury shown police interview with accused charged in death of her mother
The jury at the manslaughter trial of a London woman charged in connection with the death of her mother in July of 2021, viewed forensic photos of the accused and a police interview conducted just hours after the incident.
Kitchener
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
-
WRPS investigating 'serious' 2-vehicle collision in Cambridge, charges anticipated
Police say they were called to the area of Blair Road and Langdon Drive around 9:15 p.m. Monday for reports of a collision between a white Volkswagen and an orange Dodge.
-
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Northern Ontario
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy
If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something. Starbucks on Monday said it was reversing a policy that invited everyone into its stores.
Atlantic
-
Lower Sackville man shaken after house fire claims life of six-year-old girl
A Nova Scotia man is left shaken after his neighbour's home in Lower Sackville, N.S., caught fire over the weekend and claimed the life of a child.
-
Saint John police seek woman in connection with armed robbery at lounge
The Saint John Police Force is asking for the public's help in identifying a woman they say is a person of interest in connection with an armed robbery.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
N.L.
-
Heavy equipment used to bash into a Newfoundland bank for second time in a month
Police in eastern Newfoundland say that for the second time in less than a month thieves have used heavy equipment to smash into a bank and steal an ATM.
-
Yvonne Jones, longtime Liberal MP for Labrador, retiring from federal politics
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones speaks to reporters before a meeting of the Liberal women's caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jones announced this morning that she will not be running in the next federal election for her seat in Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
