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Holiday Turbulence: Flight Delays Hit Major Canadian Airports on Boxing Day

  Passengers wait in a check-in line at Vancouver International Airport after a snowstorm crippled operations during the holidays in 2022.   Travelers across Canada are facing a challenging Boxing Day as major airports report widespread delays and cancellations triggered by winter weather and heavy post‑holiday traffic. With thousands of passengers returning home or heading out for year‑end vacations, the timing couldn’t be more disruptive. Toronto Pearson, the country’s busiest airport, is experiencing the most significant impact. A mix of snow, freezing drizzle, and strong winds has slowed de‑icing operations and reduced runway capacity. Long lines at security and check‑in counters are adding to the congestion, with some travelers reporting wait times stretching beyond an hour. Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver airports are also dealing with delays, though to varying degrees. In Eastern Canada, Halifax is managing a combination of fog and residual holiday traffic, while air...
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Gift Card Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them


Gift card scams are devious schemes that can catch anyone off guard. Scammers employ various tactics to trick victims into buying gift cards, which they then promptly redeem. Here’s how to recognize and prevent these scams:

  1. Pressure Tactics: Scammers often pressure victims into purchasing gift cards. They might impersonate government officials, family members, or even romantic interests. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, texts, emails, or social media messages demanding gift card payments.

  2. Why Gift Cards?: Scammers prefer gift cards because they are anonymous, irreversible, and yield immediate results. Unlike credit card charges, gift card transactions cannot be canceled. Once the funds are gone, they’re gone for good.

  3. Common Scam Types:

    • Money Collection Scams: Fake IRS or utility company employees claim you owe them money and threaten arrest or service cutoff unless you pay with gift cards.
    • Phishing Scams: Scammers impersonate legitimate entities (like Apple or Steam) and ask for gift card numbers.
    • Physical Store Scams: Scammers may target victims inside brick-and-mortar stores.
    • Digital Markets: Big companies’ gift cards (Amazon, Target, eBay) and digital platforms (Steam, Google Play) are vulnerable.
    • Vanilla Gift Cards: Scammers love VISA vanilla gift cards because they’re valid everywhere.

  4. Stay Safe:

    • Spot Check: Verify the source of unsolicited emails or messages before responding.
    • Don’t Send: Legitimate entities won’t demand immediate payment via gift cards.

Remember, vigilance is key. Protect yourself by staying informed and avoiding suspicious requests for gift card payments. If you suspect a scam, report it promptly.


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