As COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to spread globally, be on the lookout for associated scams. Fraudsters want to profit from consumers' fears, uncertainties and misinformation. 

Here are some of the known scams from other countries:

- There have been reports of private companies offering fast COVID-19 tests for a price, though only hospitals can perform the test. No other tests are genuine or guaranteed to provide accurate results

- Consumers are purchasing large amounts of products and reselling them at higher prices. These products may be expired, of lower quality or dangerous to your health

- Another scam involves a person getting an email saying the recipient has been contaminated by the novel coronavirus and asks for credit card information to order a shipment of medication

- Fraudsters have been going door-to-door offering fake decontamination services

- There are reports of text messages claiming to be from the Canadian Red Cross offering masks. The organization has warned against clicking on any links

- Fraudsters posing as police have been imposing on-the-spot fines to consumers wearing masks. They claim that wearing a mask in public goes against a full-face veil law. It isn't illegal to wear a mask for health reasons

- The World Health Organization has had thieves claiming to be representatives from their organization sending out emails, phone calls, texts and even fax messages looking to get sensitive information or direct donations

- Fraudsters are sending phishing, spear phishing and other malicious email campaigns that capitalize on the public's fears about COVID-19

- According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website, somes are going as far as asking people to invest in stocks related to the illness.  

Anyone who receives suspicious calls, texts or emails can report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.