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Hilda Sampson is a mother, grandmother, and strong woman who has been fighting through something no one should ever have to face - relentless, sophisticated scams that robbed her of her savings and left her temporarily locked out of her own life.
Someone posing as Amazon security contacted her, claiming her account had been compromised. They pressured her into downloading an app, which secretly gave them access to her banking information. Within minutes, they had stolen several thousand dollars, which may not be recovered.
And that’s only part of the ordeal.
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She has faced repeated scam attempts before, including aggressive “Greener Homes” energy audit scams.
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Fraudsters were relentless - flooding her with calls and emails until she had to change her phone number and email address.
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Her phone had to be completely wiped from the back end to stop further attacks.
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That wipe caused the loss of all her data, and now she struggles to access many accounts since she can’t receive texts or recovery emails to reset passwords.
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Microsoft account recovery has been utterly impossible, compounding the stress.
This isn’t just financial - it’s emotional, exhausting, and deeply disruptive to her everyday life.
Now, while her bank investigates and locks down her accounts, Hilda has no access to her money - not for groceries, daily essentials, or even basic bills. The investigation will take about a month, possibly longer and in the meantime, she needs help to stay steady.
As if that weren’t enough, only days before the scam, Hilda faced another heartbreak: she had to say goodbye to her beloved Shih Tzu, Jake. Jake was her constant companion and source of joy, and the sudden loss was devastating. On top of the grief, the veterinary bills reached nearly $2,000, leaving her financially and emotionally drained even before the scam struck.
This campaign was created to give family, friends, and community members a safe, simple way to support Hilda while she gets back on her feet. Every contribution will go directly toward her day-to-day necessities like food, household items, and basic living costs as she works through both personal loss and financial recovery.
Why This Matters Beyond Hilda
Sadly, scams like this are on the rise in Canada, especially targeting seniors and vulnerable people. Many fraudsters pose as trusted organizations (Amazon, CRA, banks, tech support), and their tactics are frighteningly convincing. By sharing Hilda’s story, we not only rally support for her but also help raise awareness so others can protect themselves and their loved ones.
Where Your Support Goes
âś… Groceries and household necessities
âś… Personal care items
âś… Prescription medication
âś… Basic living costs during the
investigation period
Every dollar makes a direct difference in Hilda’s ability to live with dignity and security while she waits for her bank to resolve the theft.
How You Can Help
Contribute if you can – every bit counts.
Share this campaign to
spread the word and warn others.
Check in with the seniors in
your life – talk to them about scams and help them spot the signs
before fraudsters strike.
A Personal Note
No one deserves to have their independence, peace of mind, or companionship stolen like this. With a little collective care, we can ensure Hilda gets through this difficult month with dignity, strength, and community support.
Thank you for standing with her and for helping protect others by spreading awareness.
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Recent Scams Affecting Canadians (Especially Seniors)
1. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) / Tax Scams
Scammers pose as CRA agents, threatening arrest, asset
seizure, or deportation unless payments are made
immediately. They often request payment through gift
cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
🔗 Government of Canada – CRA Scam Warning
2. Romance Scams
Fraudsters build fake online relationships, often
targeting widows/widowers or isolated seniors, then ask
for money for emergencies or travel. Losses in Canada
exceeded $50M in 2023, according to the
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
🔗 Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – Romance Scams
3. Tech Support Scams
Scammers call pretending to be from Microsoft, Apple, or
a bank, claiming the victim’s computer has a virus. They
request remote access, install malware, or charge for fake
services.
🔗 RCMP – Tech Support Fraud
4. Grandparent / Emergency Scams
Scammers pretend to be grandchildren in distress (“I’ve
been arrested” or “I’m in the hospital”) and pressure
seniors to wire money or pay a “lawyer.” Losses rose
dramatically in 2023.
đź”— RCMP
– Grandparent Scam Alert
5. Investment & Cryptocurrency Scams
Fake investment advisors promise huge returns. Victims
(often retirees looking for safe income) are pressured to
move retirement savings into fraudulent schemes.
đź”—
Ontario Securities Commission –
Investment Fraud
6. Fake Prize & Lottery Scams
Victims are told they’ve won a big prize but must pay
taxes or fees upfront to claim it. Scammers often use fake
names like “Readers Digest” or “Publisher’s Clearing
House.”
🔗 Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – Prize Scams
7. Service Canada / Identity Theft Scams
Scammers claim your Social Insurance Number
(SIN) has been compromised and demand personal
information or money to resolve the issue.
🔗 Service Canada – Protecting SIN
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Tips to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones-
Verify Requests: Always confirm the identity of anyone requesting money, especially if the request is urgent or unexpected.
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Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Offers: Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages, particularly those offering investment opportunities or asking for personal information.
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Consult Trusted Individuals: Before making financial decisions, consult with family members, friends, or financial advisors.
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Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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By sharing Hilda’s story, we hope to raise both support and awareness. Every donation not only helps her cover essentials during this difficult month but also contributes to a broader conversation about protecting seniors in Canada from these dangerous scams.
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