B.C. business out thousands to scam impersonating BC Lions rep
'That was a sucker punch to the gut. It was a blow,' The Pie Hole founder and president Jenell Parsons, told Consumer Matters.
Back in June, Parsons says she received an email from the BC Lions inviting her to be a vendor at the team's home opener at BC Place.
Parsons says the email came from the team's vice president of operations and marketing and appeared authentic. 'Everything was very detailed. There were links right back to the organization – the BC Lions homepage. Everything seemed so legitimate,' said Parsons.
The team's home opener was just days away, which meant Parsons had to act fast.
She quickly accepted the offer, paid a vendor fee and filled out a credit card authorization form. Parsons says her staff and family members went to work baking hundreds of pies and cookies, sacrificing days off to make sure they were ready.
Story continues below advertisement
'It was all hands on deck, my team, there was lots of overtime, my husband rolled up his sleeves, my nine-year-old daughter was coming after school to help,' said Parsons.
2:24
Consumer Matters: Avoiding common travel scams
However, when Parsons arrived on game day at BC Place, she says she received shocking news from security. 'They didn't know who I was,' said Parsons.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Shortly after, Parsons says the 'real' VP of Business Operations and Marketing for the Lions, Carolyn Cody, informed Parsons she had been scammed.
Parsons says not only was her credit card compromised, but the loss in product was close to $40,000. 'I'm exhausted mentally, physically, emotionally. I gave everything I had for this opportunity,' said Parsons.
Cody says she was first alerted about the phishing scam in May by another CFL team.
Story continues below advertisement
'I got an email on May 22 from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to let me know my name was being used in a scam happening in Hamilton. It was a phishing scam related to their home opener, getting vendors to give their credit card information,' said Cody.
'It was very unnerving.'
1:59
Consumer Matters: Bank card replacement scam on the rise
Cody says Vancouver police have been notified and several other CFL teams have since issued scam alerts. The Vancouver Police Department told Consumer Matters its financial crime section is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Cybersecurity experts warn that the best defence to avoid falling victim to phishing scams is to pause and authenticate the information.
'The lesson here is to slow down. Verify the information in a third way,' said Jane Arnett from Check Point.
Story continues below advertisement
'Be not trusting, in general, when people are reaching out to you.'
Moving forward, Parsons says she'll be extra cautious. 'A quick call to the BC Lions organization would have prevented me from a lot of heartache, a lot of headache, and a lot of damages,' said Parsons.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
4 charged in Centennial-area drug bust: Winnipeg police
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Four people are facing drug charges, Winnipeg police say, after a home in the Centennial neighbourhood was searched late last month. Police said they searched a residence on Elgin Avenue on June 23 and seized $1,200 in cocaine and crack, BB guns in the style of Glock and Smith & Wesson firearms, drug paraphernalia and packaging materials, and $410 in cash. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The suspects — a 37-year-old man and three women between the ages of 31 and 42 — have all been charged with drug trafficking and released on undertakings.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Diogo Jota, Liverpool soccer star, dead alongside brother in car crash
Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota was killed in a car crash in Spain when the Lamborghini he was in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday. He was 28. The Portuguese soccer star's 25-year-old brother, André Silva, also died in the car crash near the northwestern city of Zamora, authorities said. The crash occurred past midnight local time. Police said they were investigating the causes of the crash and the bodies were undergoing forensic analysis. Authorities have not confirmed which brother was behind the wheel of the car when the crash occurred. 'In the absence of a conclusion of the experts evidence, everything points that a car left the road, due to a tire blowout while overtaking,' the police said. The brothers were driving eastward along an isolated stretch of highway, about an hour west of Zamora, when the crash took place. Story continues below advertisement 'The car was incinerated, and they died inside,' Spanish government official Ángel Blanco said. Jota and Silva, both Portuguese soccer players, were the only ones in the car, according to police. Jota had recently gotten married to his longtime girlfriend — his high-school sweetheart — Rute Cardoso, on June 22, just 10 days before his death. They share three children. 'A day we will never forget,' he captioned a video of their wedding day, shared on Instagram. Story continues below advertisement Spanish media have published images of the crash's aftermath. Photos show tire marks streaking across and off the road toward damaged guardrails, and the burnt car can be seen several metres away. View image in full screen A view from the traffic crash of the Portuguese Liverpool player Diogo Jota, who lost his life in Zamora, Spain on July 3, 2025. Nico Rodriguez/Anadolu via Getty Images View image in full screen General view of the crash site where Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva lost their lives, showing the wreckage of the Lamborghini Huracan at kilometre 65 of the A-52, near the town of Cernadilla, close to Zamora, were called in as flames from the crash spread into nearby vegetation, authorities said. Story continues below advertisement Liverpool Football Club issued a statement following Jota's death, saying it was 'devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.' Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025 'Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support,' Liverpool added. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Portuguese national team also paid tribute to Jota in a statement, writing, 'The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain.' Story continues below advertisement 'Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 appearances for the National Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community,' the statement continued. 'On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.' The Portuguese Football Federation also requested that UEFA 'observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team's match against Spain in the Women's European Championship.' 'We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily.' A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol e todo o Futebol português estão completamente devastados com a morte de Diogo Jota e do seu irmão André Silva, esta madrugada, em Espanha. Muito mais do que o fantástico jogador, com quase 50 internacionalizações pela Seleção Nacional A, Diogo… — Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2025 Story continues below advertisement UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected 'by this heartbreaking loss.' It confirmed that a moment of silence will be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday. A moment of silence will be observed at all of today's and tomorrow's UEFA Women's EURO 2025 matches in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva who tragically passed away today. — UEFA (@UEFA) July 3, 2025 Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro commented on the 'unexpected and tragic' deaths. He said Jota was 'an athlete who greatly honored Portugal's name.' 'I extend my deepest condolences to their family,' he said. 'It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports.' A notícia da morte de Diogo Jota, um atleta que muito honrou o nome de Portugal, e do seu irmão é inesperada e trágica. Deixo aos familiares as mais sentidas condolências. É um dia triste para o futebol e para o desporto nacional e internacional. — Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) July 3, 2025 Story continues below advertisement British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talked about the 'devastating news.' 'I am sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular,' he said. 'There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non-fans who will also be shocked by this. It is devastating and really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.' Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota's Portugal teammate, said, 'It doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married.' 'My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.' Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025 Story continues below advertisement The Premier League said it was 'shocked and devastated.' 'Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time,' it said. 'Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.' Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion… — Premier League (@premierleague) July 3, 2025 Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher wrote, 'Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.' Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids 💔 — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 3, 2025 Story continues below advertisement Stan Collymore, another former Liverpool player, wrote, 'I'm sure like many in the football family there's just a profound sense of shock, sadness and disbelief at the new of Diogo Jota's death at the unfathomably young age of 28. Newly married too.' I'm sure like many in the football family there's just a profound sense of shock, sadness and disbelief at the news of Diogo Jota's death at the unfathomably young age of 28. Newly married too. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool… — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 3, 2025 Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez shared a photo of himself and Jota celebrating a goal together, writing, 'There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you by your smile, as a good teammate on and off the pitch.' 'I send all my strength to his family, wherever he is I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and three children. RIP Diogo and André.' Story continues below advertisement LeBron James took to X to share his condolences, writing, 'My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected.' My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️ — LeBron James (@KingJames) July 3, 2025 Story continues below advertisement Tennis player Rafael Nadal called Jota's death 'sad and painful news.' 'All my love, affection and support go out to his wife, children, family and friends at this difficult time,' Nadal added. Qué noticia tan triste y dolorosa 😔 Todo mi cariño, mi afecto y mi apoyo para su mujer, sus hijos, sus familiares y sus amigos en un momento tan difícil. Descansad en Paz, Diogo Jota y André Silva. — Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 3, 2025 Liverpool fans gathered outside Anfield, Liverpool's stadium, on Thursday morning, leaving flowers, jerseys and other tributes to Jota. View image in full screen Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota, who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday, July 3, 2025. Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images View image in full screen People pay their respects as tributes are laid for Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 3, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The Liverpool player and Portugal international died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain at the age of joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club — including the Premier League title last season. Story continues below advertisement — With files from The Associated Press
Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
‘Bomb threats' made at multiple Canadian airports as police investigate
Multiple 'bomb threats' were made at multiple Canadian airports Thursday morning, spurring flight delays, evacuations and investigations into the source, says NAV Canada and local authorities. 'Early this morning, NAV CANADA was made aware of bomb threats affecting facilities in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. Employees at impacted locations are safe, and a temporary ground stop has been implemented at the affected airports,' said NAV Canada. NAV Canada provides air traffic control operations to Canadian airports. 'We are collaborating with authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of all personnel and passengers. Travellers are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest updates, as delays may occur,' a statement from NAV Canada said on X. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Earlier in the morning, Reuters had reported investigations into security incidents at Ottawa International Airport and Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport, which could disrupt operations. Story continues below advertisement While there are not yet any posts on social media from the Montreal airport, the Ottawa airport as well as Ottawa police confirmed an investigation. 'The Ottawa Airport is currently investigating a security incident. Operations may be disrupted; please check the status of your flight before travelling to the airport. We will continue to advise as the situation unfolds,' the airport said in a post on the social media platform X. The Ottawa Police Service said that it 'is working with the Ottawa Airport to investigate a security incident,' but no further details were provided. According to Reuters, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said ground stops were later lifted at the Montreal and Ottawa airports. Global News has asked the FAA for more information, as well as NAV Canada. With files from Reuters More to come
