СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

Skip to content

Low-income renters got a benefit. Scammers took one day to target it, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Housing says

VANCOUVER — СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Housing is warning of scammers targeting recipients of a support scheme for elderly low-income renters, just one day after it was announced.
2024041120048-66187b91f9007c6754e24214jpeg
СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Housing is warning of scammers targeting recipients of a support scheme for elderly low-income renters, just one day after it was announced. Construction cranes dot the skyline as condo towers are seen under construction at the Oakridge Park shopping centre redevelopment, in Vancouver, СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Housing is warning of scammers targeting recipients of a support scheme for elderly low-income renters, just one day after it was announced.

The housing agency says in a "fraud alert" on its website and social media that it will never use text messages to invite recipients to claim benefits.

It comes after the province announced on Tuesday that it was granting a $430 benefit to the roughly 20,000 seniors in the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program, also known as SAFER.

СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Housing issued the fraud warning on Wednesday, saying recipients would receive the one-time benefit with their regular payments this month.

It says no action is required from recipients to get the money.

The changes to the SAFER program also expanded eligibility for its monthly benefits to seniors with annual incomes up to $37,240, compared to the previous $33,000 limit.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2024. 

The Canadian Press

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks