Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!
Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.
Here are 3 very common scams that tend to spike in September, especially as seasons and routines change. Staying aware of these can save you a lot of stress 👇
🎒 Back-to-School Scams
Open image details for FoolProofMe – The ABCs of Back-to-School Scams
Open image details for How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam | Consumer Advice
Open image details for Free laptops for over 960,000 students in 2024? No, beware of scam Facebook posts and website – Africa Check
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Why September?
Students and parents are shopping for supplies, laptops, and textbooks.
How the scam works:
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Fake websites advertise huge discounts on school gear
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Phishing emails/texts pretend to be from schools or retailers
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Scammers sell nonexistent textbooks or electronics
Watch for:
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Prices that seem too good to be true
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Websites with weird URLs or no reviews
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Requests for payment via gift cards or crypto
đź’Ľ Job & Student Loan Relief Scams
Open image details for The 10 Latest Work From Home Scams You Need To Know
Open image details for How to spot + avoid student loan forgiveness scams | LifeLock
Open image details for FTC warns about fake pre-approved loan calls: Don’t fall for the scam
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Why September?
People look for jobs after summer—and students think about loans again.
How the scam works:
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Fake “work-from-home” jobs that send you a check (then ask you to send money back)
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Calls/texts claiming instant student loan forgiveness for a fee
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Imposters pretending to be government agencies
Watch for:
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Being asked to pay upfront fees
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Pressure to act immediately
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Requests for personal info like SIN (Social Insurance Number)
📦 Package Delivery Scams
Open image details for Support: Recognizing spam, fraudulent emails and text messages | Canada Post
Open image details for There’s an issue with your package | Information Technologies & Services
Open image details for USPS delivery scam (text messages) | OIT | Brown University
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Why September?
Online shopping picks up again, so scam texts blend in easily.
How the scam works:
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You get a text/email saying your package couldn’t be delivered
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It asks you to click a link to “reschedule” or pay a small fee
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The link steals your info or installs malware
Watch for:
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Messages from unknown numbers or weird email addresses
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Links that don’t match real companies (like Canada Post)
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Urgent language like “final notice”
đź‘Ť Quick Safety Tips
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Don’t click links in unexpected messages
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Double-check websites before buying anything
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Never send money or personal info to strangers
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When in doubt, go directly to official websites/apps
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
http://www.donnajodhan.com
http://www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711