Class Action Scam + Ghosts of New West

Issue #271

Author

Carla McNeil
June 23, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ⛅️ Weather - Cloudy with sunny breaks

 😜 Rain Joke -  When does it rain money? 🤑

 🗓️ New West Events - Quiet Monday

 🗞️ New West Local News - Class Action Scam + Ghosts of New West

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 25.2 2023 - Record low 11.0 2017, 2022

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

June 23, 2025

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak – Starts at 5:00 PM

🏈 Hyack Youth Football Free Try-it Days – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

June 24, 2025

📜 CAPM Certification 4 Days Classroom Training – 9:00 AM to June 27, 5:00 PM

✏️ Sketch For Fun (50+ years) – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

💉 Fraser Health Immunization Clinic – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

💃 New West Moms Bellydance & Stretch – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🏈 Hyack Youth Football Free Try-it Days – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🏝️ Discover the Joy of Island Downsizing – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

June 25, 2025

🤸 Gym Program – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

🎙️ State of the City On the Road: Seniors' Edition – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

🗣️ French 4 Everyone – 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

Image via Facebook

Class action settlement phishing scams are on the rise worldwide, as fraudsters take advantage of high-profile lawsuits to deceive people into sharing personal or financial details. Posing as law firms, courts, or claims administrators, these scammers falsely promise payouts from major settlements involving companies like Facebook, Equifax, or Google. With global cybercrime losses projected to soar to $15.63 trillion by 2029, this type of fraud is becoming increasingly common, preying on trust, urgency, and fear of missing out.

How the Scams Work:
Scammers latch onto widely publicized class action lawsuits and send out emails or text messages, claiming recipients are entitled to funds. The goal is to lure victims into providing sensitive information.

Notable Examples of Recent Scams:

  • Fraudsters used the 2019 Equifax settlement in the U.S. to create fake sites and steal data, baiting victims with the promise of a $125 payout.

  • Phishing emails posing as Allianz Assistance in 2023 were sent from suspicious addresses.

  • Between 2023 and 2025, nearly 8 million claims linked to the Facebook privacy settlement were flagged as suspicious.

  • In the UK in 2024, scammers distributed malware through emails offering fake Starbucks gift cards.

Common Red Flags:

  • You didn’t actually join the class action.

  • Messages push urgency or tight deadlines.

  • Promises of easy money with no effort required.

  • Requests for banking details or upfront fees.

  • Emails or websites that look almost, but not quite, official.

  • Emotional tactics like suggesting others are cashing in while you’re missing out.

How to Protect Yourself:
✅ Verify messages with official court websites or trusted settlement administrators.
✅ Legitimate settlements will never ask for upfront payments.
✅ Scrutinize website addresses, links, and sender details.
✅ Don’t let pressure tactics cloud your judgment.
✅ Keep your participation in class actions private to avoid being targeted.

If You’re Targeted:
🚫 Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments.
📞 If you’ve shared information, notify your bank, change passwords, and monitor your accounts.
📝 Report the scam to the government or law enforcement fraud agencies.
⚠ Stay vigilant against follow-up frauds like recovery scams.

Staying cautious and verifying any claims through official channels is key to protecting yourself from these sophisticated cons.

🌟 See you on Front Street this summer! 🌟

New Westminster’s rich and mysterious past comes alive once more with The Ghosts of New Westminster tour, a unique journey through the city’s most storied and haunted locations. Held on Saturday, June 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM PDT at 800 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 1B4, this tour promises an unforgettable look at the chilling history and lingering spirits that have shaped this historic community.

Guided by passionate locals with deep connections to the region’s history, the tour offers a spine-tingling exploration of the supernatural. This year, the event is elevated by the presence of renowned paranormal investigator and television personality Amanda Quill, accompanied by an array of expert guests. These specialists will share fresh tales and evidence gathered during Coldspotters Paranormal’s most recent investigations around the globe.

Coldspotters, headquartered in New Westminster and recognized internationally for its work on television, in documentaries, and in books, provides visitors a rare chance to witness the paranormal through the eyes of seasoned professionals. Guests can expect to encounter eerie phenomena, from unexplained voices and ghostly footsteps to fleeting shadows that appear only after dark.

Whether new to ghost tours or a dedicated seeker of the unexplained, attendees are promised a night of haunting discoveries and unforgettable moments, shedding light on the secrets that continue to echo through New Westminster’s streets.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

☁️ When does it rain money? 🤑 

🪙 When there is a “change” in the weather. 🌧️ 

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