WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and Shared Health are warning the public about fraudulent communications from people pretending to be WRHA staff.
The authority said individuals posing as WRHA management and staff have been requesting quotes, asking for responses to expressions of interest and making false purchase orders from suppliers.
The scam came to light after a vendor received a phone call from an individual, but the processes didn’t match what they were used to. The WRHA said it is aware of at least three instances where vendors have been contacted. The products in question were for regular motor oil and some food products.
To appear legitimate, the WHRA said the individuals are using names similar to those of WRHA executives and using fake emails and logos they believe were pulled from the internet.
By making cold calls to vendors in Winnipeg and across Canada, and pretending to follow up on requests for proposals (RFPs), the WRHA said the scammers may be trying to solicit banking information.
The WRHA said the scammers ask the potential vendor for a credit check and have issued fake purchase orders, in what the WRHA believes are attempts to get additional personal or business information.
The agency doesn’t believe the scheme involves getting products from the suppliers, because products would presumably be delivered to the WRHA.
The WRHA is asking any vendors who are approached with requests outside the normal open procurement process on Biddingo or Merx to contact the authority and verify the request with a representative of the WRHA or Shared Health.
The WRHA said anyone looking for information, or who has concerns or wants to report suspicious behaviour can email info@sharedhealthmb.ca.
The authority said the police have been advised of the situation.
