Mississauga Mother Scammed Out of $3,000 in Tuition Fraud

A Mississauga mother lost $3,000 after falling victim to a tuition scam that she believed was linked to the University of Toronto. The incident occurred earlier this month when Sandra Jordan’s daughter, 18-year-old Eeva Moss, received an urgent email claiming that a tuition payment was due immediately. The email warned that failure to pay would result in her being removed from her courses.

Jordan recounted the moment she received the alarming message. “It stated that she would be de-enrolled from her courses if they did not receive a $3,000 deposit by the end of the day,” she told CTV News. The email’s formatting resembled official communication from the university, prompting Jordan to act quickly. Concerned for her daughter’s education, she immediately sent the funds via e-transfer.

Shortly after the transaction, Jordan began to have doubts. “After I sent the funds, I had this weird feeling that something didn’t seem right. So, I went to the university website,” she explained. There, she discovered a warning from UofT about an ongoing scam that matched the details of the email she had received. Unfortunately, it was too late for her to recover the money.

A spokesperson for the University of Toronto expressed sympathy for the family’s situation, stating, “It’s very unfortunate that online scammers have defrauded this family. We are in touch with the student and providing guidance.” The university clarified that it never requests tuition payments through e-transfers or similar private payment methods.

The university’s statement emphasized the importance of awareness regarding online safety. “For those unsure whether electronic outreach that appears to come from the University of Toronto is legitimate, there are extensive educational resources and programming to support the online safety of students, faculty, staff, and librarians,” it stated. This includes guidance on identifying and reporting phishing and fraud attempts.

Jordan expressed her dedication to her daughter’s education, which motivated her to send the money. “I didn’t want her to be de-enrolled from her courses,” she said.

The incident is part of a broader trend, as noted by CIBC, Jordan’s bank. A spokesperson indicated that scams where fraudsters impersonate trusted organizations, such as UofT, are increasingly common. “This unfortunate situation highlights how fraudsters use deception and urgency in their scams,” the bank stated. Clients are urged to be vigilant and verify any unexpected requests for funds by contacting the organization directly.

Cybersecurity expert Ritesh Kotak provided additional advice for those facing similar situations. He stressed the importance of slowing down when dealing with financial transactions. “Whenever it comes to making a financial transaction, if you’re unsure, hit the pause button and take a breather,” Kotak advised. He explained that scammers often create a sense of urgency, making it feel necessary to send money immediately.

Kotak recommended a straightforward approach to avoid falling victim to scams: “Just pick up the phone, call the university, validate, and verify before you send your hard-earned money over.”

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, awareness and caution remain essential in combating online scams. Victims like Jordan highlight the personal impact of such fraud, underscoring the need for education and vigilance in financial matters.