September 28, 2005 -- The Canadian Red Cross is warning Canadians to beware of an e-mail scam currently circulating that purports to be collecting donations in support of its Hurricane Katrina Relief.

“We are doing no e-mail solicitation for donations supporting hurricane relief,” says Suzanne Charest, communications officer for the Canadian Red Cross.   “Those wishing to support the Red Cross response to Katrina or Rita can safely and securely do so by calling 1-800-418-1111, by visiting www.redcross.ca or by donating at any Red Cross office or trusted institution collecting on behalf of Red Cross."

The fraudulent email came to the attention of Red Cross today courtesy of a suspicious recipient.  The email arrives with a subject line of "Katrina Relief Update." It contains several links to actual Canadian Red Cross website pages, however, when selecting "Donate Now" - a mock page emulating the actual Red Cross donation page appears and requests credit card information.  The URL of the fraudulent donation page is: http://www.comuniversidad.com/chat/chat/

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"It is very deceptive - and could leave credit card information vulnerable, " says Detective Staff Sergeant Barry Elliott, coordinator of PhoneBusters, the national anti-fraud call centre established by the Government of Canada, the RCMP, the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police.

If you receive the email, Elliott advises that you forward it to info@phonebusters.com.  Those who have responded to the fraudulent email and provided confidential information should immediately call the PhoneBusters toll free line at 1.888.495.8501.

"We'll lead you through the reporting process - which includes having you contact your credit card company, " says Staff Sergeant Elliott.  "Fortunately, the victim ratio rate on such scams is pretty low.  Consumers are more and more wise to this tactic - particularly after the proliferation of fundraising scam following 9-11."

Say Charest:  "Sadly, the suffering of some seems to be an opportunity for others.  Donors suspicious of any fundraising activity alleging to represent Red Cross are always encouraged to call their local Red Cross office for guidance."