B.C. Girl Guides have raised concerns following reports from several social media users who fell victim to scams while attempting to buy their popular mint chocolate cookies online. Members of a Facebook group in Campbell River, B.C., shared instances where individuals, claiming to have daughters affiliated with the Girl Guides, offered to sell and deliver cookies. However, after receiving e-transfer payments for multiple boxes of cookies, communication abruptly ceased.
The volunteer-led Girl Guides organization emphasized the significance of their cookie fundraisers in supporting their activities. As a result, cautionary messages are being circulated to promote online safety measures. Diamond Isinger, the volunteer spokesperson for B.C. Girl Guides, remarked that such scam attempts were unprecedented to her knowledge.
In 2024, the organization registered over 12,600 girls in B.C. and sold five million boxes of cookies nationwide. Isinger stressed the pivotal role of Girl Guide cookies in funding various organization activities, including supplies, training, and badges.
To locate cookies within their communities, Isinger advised individuals to explore reliable avenues such as door-to-door sales and public booth setups, accessible through the Girl Guides website. Despite the unfortunate incidents, Isinger encouraged continued support for the essential programs benefiting children, youth, and adults.
Campbell River RCMP spokesperson Const. Maury Tyre acknowledged awareness of social media posts detailing cookie scams but confirmed no official reports had been received. He cautioned against pre-paying or providing deposits for items through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, highlighting the prevalence of fraudulent Facebook profiles.
David Shipley, CEO of Beauceron Security, emphasized the broader repercussions of scams on organizations like the Girl Guides, extending beyond monetary losses to eroding trust and tarnishing their brand. He recommended reporting any fraudulent activities to local authorities or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Shipley criticized the federal government’s perceived inaction on online safety issues over the years, urging accountability from major platforms like Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to combat the proliferation of scams. The call for enhanced measures to protect users from online fraud remains a pressing concern for organizations like the Girl Guides.