Fraudulent texts sent for supporting CAQ: possible phishing scam.
Élections Québec is warning residents of a possible phishing scam that went out by text message to phones across the province earlier this month.
The French-language text message, complete with grammatical errors, thanks people for participating in Quebec’s general election and offers financial compensation on behalf of the Coalition Avenir Québec, the winning party.
Those who receive the text are welcomed to click on a website link to collect their compensation by deposit. The website’s address resembles that of the CAQ’s, but it is not operated by the political party.
Élections Québec, which oversees elections in the province, became aware of the scam on Nov. 10 and contacted provincial police.
Spokesperson Julie Saint-Arnaud told Radio-Canada that, after contacting authorities, the next step was to inform the public.
It used social media messages and a black banner posted to the top of its website to remind citizens that under no circumstances does it offer payment for voting.
Important! Un faux message texte circule présentement.
Sachez qu’en aucun cas, Élections Québec n’offrirait une rétribution en lien avec votre participation aux élections générales du 1er octobre dernier.
Voir ci-dessous le message auquel nous faisons référence. pic.twitter.com/P65tdrHI3e
— Élections Québec (@electionsquebec) November 10, 2018
