Beware of Prize Scams!

At Co-op, we value your trust and want to ensure you’re protected from scams that target our community. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, often pretending to represent trusted local businesses like Co-op. They may claim you’ve won a prize or are entitled to money, but there’s always a catch—they’ll ask for personal information, payment, or other suspicious actions to claim your “reward.”

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe:

Common Scam Tactics to Watch For

"You’ve Won a Prize!" Scams

Fraudsters may contact you through calls, texts, or emails claiming you’ve won a prize from Co-op. However, they’ll request payment of a fee or ask for personal information to claim it.

Red Flag: Legitimate prizes never require payment of any kind.

What to Do: Ignore and block suspicious messages or calls. Report callers impersonating Co-op representatives to our administration office at 780-674-2201 ext. 0.

Cheque Scams Involving Gift Cards

A common scam involves someone claiming you have a cheque or cash reward but need to activate gift cards to access the funds. These scammers may sound convincing, but this is a clear sign of fraud.

Red Flag: Co-op will never require you to activate gift cards to claim a prize or money owed.

What to Do: Never purchase or share gift card information with someone you don’t trust. Report callers impersonating Co-op representatives to our administration office at 780-674-2201 ext. 0.

How to Protect Yourself

• Be Skeptical of Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Scammers rely on urgency and excitement to trick you into acting quickly. Take a moment to evaluate the situation.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Information: If someone requests sensitive details like your SIN, bank information, or passwords, stop the conversation immediately.
• Verify Promotions with Co-op Directly: If you’re unsure about an offer or promotion, contact us directly to confirm its legitimacy. Report callers impersonating Co-op representatives to our administration office at 780-674-2201 ext. 0.

Co-op’s Commitment to Your Safety

At Co-op, we prioritize transparency and fairness. We will never:

• Ask you to pay fees to claim prizes.
• Request personal information over the phone, email, or text for promotional purposes.
• Require the activation of gift cards to access prizes or payments.

Your safety is our priority. If you ever have questions or concerns about an offer, reach out to us directly by visiting us in store or calling 780-674-2201. Together, we can look out for each other and stay vigilant against scams.

Let’s stay safe and protect our community from fraudulent activities!