Guelph, ON — July 4, 2025
Guelph MP, Dominique O’Rourke, says her office is fielding increasing calls about online scams that impersonate the federal government and target Guelph residents.
One of the most recent scams uses AI generated pictures, videos and news stories of Prime Minister Carney to encourage Canadians to invest in the trading platform CanFirst. The scam claims to offer Ontario residents exclusive trading opportunities, including Cryptocurrencies and forex. This is a scam.
O’Rourke wants Guelph residents to know “Scammers want you to feel like it’s urgent and it’s an exclusive deal, but government programs are always publicly posted and can be found at Canada.ca.” She adds “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Before you click any links, provide personal information or make a financial decision, always talk to your financial institutions and check the registration status of the entity before investing.
“I want Guelph residents to outsmart the scammers. It really worries me that so many people, especially seniors, are being targeted,” says O’Rourke. “I am so glad people have called our office to double check.”
Scammers may also contact people by email, phone or messages impersonating government departments and agencies to gain access to personal and financial information. These impersonations can include: Service Canada, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Immigration Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Warning signs include:
• A demand for an immediate payment
• Use of threatening language
• Instructions to click on a link • A request for personal or financial information
• Directions for payment by cryptocurrency or gift cards
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will never use aggressive or threatening language, threaten you with arrest, ask for payment in crypto or gift cards, or contact you by text message under any circumstances. To be extra sure, you can always check if communications from CRA are legitimate by logging into your account on the CRA portal or contacting them by phone.
If you are not sure if something is a scam, contact Guelph Police Scams and Fraud Service (519-824-1212), the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) or MP O’Rourke’s office (519-837-5170).
For more information on how to outsmart the scammers visit:
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
National Registration Search:
https://info.securities-administrators.ca/nrsmobile/nrssearch.aspx.
What every older Canadian Should Know About: Fraud and Scams:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors-forumfederal-provincial-territorial/fraud-scams.html
Scams and fraud - Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/fraud-scams.html
Scams and Fraud – Guelph Police:
https://www.guelphpolice.ca/en/crime-prevention-and-community-safety/scams-andfraud.aspx
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lianne Cassidy
Chief of Staff to Dominique O'Rourke
Member of Parliament for Guelph
[email protected]
519-837-5170