From messages on various apps to phone calls effectively faking local numbers, it seems all the time spent indoors due to COVID-19 has given scammers some time to try out new tricks. Some of those tricks have landed on the radar of the province of Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan government and the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) have seen reports of all sorts of scams in recent months.

Some of the stories they tell you, whether on the phone or via text message, will sound completely ridiculous. But if people didn't sometimes fall for those tricks, scammers wouldn't use them.

A scam that has been going around recently in the west central area, is one saying you have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, and you must self isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test.

It goes on to say you must get tested in the next 72 hours, and they ask you for a mailing address, and for a payment method of 50 dollars by credit card etc.

The numbers the fraudsters are using are showing up as local ones, so it's hard to trace who are making these calls.

To that end, the province has released some basic guidelines for dealing with scammers or suspected fraudsters. If you receive “prize offers” without engaging or enrolling with the business offering the prize, do not reply to them. Also, if someone emails, texts, or calls asking for personal or banking information, do not provide the information.

An older, less technologically advanced scam involves a stranger sending you a cheque. The province warns not to accept that cheque, as it will likely bounce after it is deposited. They also warned not to open attachments to emails you don't recognize.

The FCAA added that fraudsters can even be dishonest family members taking advantage of their older relatives.