Waiting for your bread settlement? Beware of this scam

Winnipeg

It’s so simple, it’s been a part of human life for thousands of years: bread. It’s wholesome, touching and nice. You get a loaf when your friend makes a batch, you make some for your grieving neighbours, and you place it at the centre of most holiday dinners. It brings comfort, simplicity and joy. But it’s now at the centre of the latest scam targeting Canadians — those looking to capitalize off the Canadian bread settlement.

For those who don’t know, this settlement was decided after Canada Bread Company Ltd. pleaded guilty to price-fixing against the Competition Act. Those who purchased packaged bread for personal use between 2001 and 2021 were eligible to apply for some form of payment.

Those who applied to receive a part of the $500 million settlement before Dec. 12, 2025, are now on the lookout for their payments. Not many have taken part in a settlement before so it’s hard to know what the standard practices and procedures are. And in order to send you money, Verita, the company distributing the pay outs, needs some kind of information from you. That’s why it’s so easy to click on the link that comes to your phone from “Verita” claiming that your settlement is ready.

Scammers are all over this bread settlement, sending mass texts to Canadians, claiming to be the company in charge. They may send a link or ask for personal information, such as bank account numbers or credit card numbers in order to issue a credit or balance. It is vital that you ignore these texts. Do not click on the link “just to see.” Scammers can send all kinds of malware infections through these links. Verita has now confirmed it will not text any customers so any text claiming to be from the company would be a scam. Verita is depositing the money via e-transfer or cheque, depending on the consumer’s indicated preference, and already has information from those on the list.

Payments began on May 11, but will not all happen at the same time. Those anxious to get theirs are especially susceptible to falling victim to these scams. Be sure to watch out for loved ones who may also be vulnerable. Remind them that no one is texting them about the bread settlement and to ignore anything that claims to be from Verita.

Remember to keep your anti-virus software up to date and never share any banking information or security passwords. Scammers have become so sophisticated, they may strike when we least expect it. It’s important to stay vigilant and to never rush. If you’re not sure, take your time.

Scammers strive by taking advantage of current events so we are less likely to question it. This is one of those times and it’s more important than ever to safeguard your information. A few extra steps or moments of precaution could save you days and weeks spent recovering your finances and accounts from the greedy reach of scammers. Instead, you could be making and enjoying some bread.