Canadian Tire is being accused of selling fake N95 masks, and people aren't happy with the company.

The Canadian retail giant recently displayed a cardboard box filled with surgical masks at a Toronto location, labelling the box "N95 quality guaranteed."

The masks are being sold at $19.99 for 10 masks.

@CanadianTire These are clearly not N95 masks, but surgical masks. It’s not right to prey on public confusion and panic to make money. This was at the Leslie and Sheppard location. Please correct this at all your stores ASAP #CoronaVirusCanada #Coronavirustoronto #scam pic.twitter.com/LlRWJfstNr

— Derrick Kwan (@DerrKwan) January 30, 2020

However, a discerning customer pointed out that the masks actually appear to be surgical masks.

N95 respirators are typically white with a characteristic teardrop shape; surgical masks are usually rectangular, blue, and more loose-fitting around your face.

Another face-mask comparison illustration I found.

The best choice I have noticed consistently has been N95. The second-best choice has been 'Surgical mask' for Corona virus.

Source: unknown.#ncov2020 #CoronavirusOutbreak #nCoV2019 #nCoV #Coronavirus #CoronaOutbreak pic.twitter.com/RzojDi8j4I

— Dilip Sankarreddy (@DilipSReddy) January 29, 2020

Naturally, people aren't pleased by Canadian Tire's misleading advertising.

One person pointed out that the masks definitely won't protect against germs.

It says they're sterile.

*looks at staples puncturing the seal*

— Alex Riot (@veeeSix) January 31, 2020

And another person was feeling scammed.

You're talking to a company that charges $750+ for a set of pots you can get at Costco for $199. Their ethics went out the window long ago

The bulk cost on those masks is $0.063 per 10pk btw

— JMJimmy (@JMJimmy1) January 31, 2020

But one man pointed out that the problem is more serious than just overpriced products.

The problem here is that it worse than just greed, but dishonesty. They are advertising it as a real N95 mask. To make things worse, the text in Chinese says “Meets NIOSH certification and these are not regular masks”

— Derrick Kwan (@DerrKwan) January 31, 2020

With the World Health Organization declaring coronavirus an international emergency yesterday, many Canadians are eager to protect themselves.

Remember that the best way to do so is to follow WHO's official guidelines on how to reduce your risk of infection.