Frauds and Scams

Frauds and Scams: Protect Yourself

July 31, 2026 Frauds and Scams

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often use fake phone calls, emails, text messages, websites, and even artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate government departments, financial institutions, businesses, and trusted organizations. If something seems suspicious, take a moment to verify the information before taking action.

Common Signs of a Scam

Be cautious if someone:

  • Demands immediate payment
  • Uses threats or intimidation
  • Sends a link and pressures you to click it
  • Requests payment to release or recover funds
  • Asks for personal or financial information
  • Requests payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency
  • Claims to be from a government department, financial institution, or company but cannot verify their identity

Remember: Legitimate organizations will not pressure you to act immediately or threaten you if you ask questions.

Government-Related Scams

Scammers often impersonate federal government departments and agencies, including:

Service Canada

Scams related to:

  • Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
  • Employment Insurance (EI)
  • Passports
  • Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

For more information, click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada/fraud.html

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Scams related to:

  • Taxes
  • Refunds
  • Benefits
  • Outstanding balances

For more information, click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud.html

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Scams targeting:

  • Newcomers
  • Visa applicants
  • Citizenship applicants

For more information, click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud.html

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Scams involving:

  • Parcels and deliveries
  • Customs fees
  • Border-related enforcement

For more information, click here: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/pyaf-pvcf-eng.html

Private-Sector Scams and Consumer Fraud

Fraudsters do not only impersonate government agencies. They also target Canadians through fake businesses, online marketplaces, investment schemes, delivery scams, employment offers, and banking-related fraud.

Common scams include:

  • Phishing emails and text messages
  • Fake online stores and marketplace listings
  • Investment and cryptocurrency scams
  • Employment and work-from-home scams
  • Tech support scams
  • Delivery and courier scams
  • Bank and credit card impersonation scams
  • Identity theft
  • Subscription and free-trial scams
  • Charity and donation scams

For Businesses

Canadian businesses are frequently targeted by:

  • Fake invoices
  • Directory listing scams
  • CEO and executive impersonation scams
  • Phishing and ransomware attacks
  • Fraudulent grant and loan offers
  • Supplier and procurement fraud
  • Business email compromise scams

Business owners should:

  • Verify vendors and suppliers before making payments
  • Limit approval authority for financial transactions
  • Train employees to recognize phishing attempts
  • Monitor accounts and purchasing activity for unusual transactions
  • Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

For more information, click here: https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/fraud-and-scams

How to Protect Yourself

Verify Before You Act

  • Confirm information through official websites.
  • Look for Government of Canada web addresses ending in canada.ca or gc.ca.
  • Contact the organization directly using a phone number obtained from its official website.
  • Be cautious when contacted by businesses or organizations you did not initiate contact with.

Protect Your Personal Information

Never provide:

  • Your SIN
  • Banking information
  • Credit card information
  • Passwords
  • Security questions and answers
  • Verification codes sent to your phone or email

Be Careful with Links

Do not click links in unsolicited emails, text messages, social media messages, or pop-up ads.

Watch for Spoofing

Scammers can make phone numbers, email addresses, and websites appear legitimate.

Always independently verify who is contacting you before responding.

Strengthen Your Online Security

  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Enable multi-factor authentication
  • Keep software and devices updated
  • Use antivirus and security software
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions

Misinformation and Disinformation

False or misleading information may be designed to look like official Government of Canada communications or legitimate news sources.

To protect yourself:

  • Verify information through official government websites.
  • Check multiple trusted news and information sources.
  • Be cautious of sensational claims designed to provoke strong emotional reactions.
  • Learn how to identify AI-generated content and manipulated media.

Learn More

Report Fraud

Even if you have not lost money, reporting scams helps protect others.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)

• Report cybercrime and fraud online:
https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/

• Report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to:

7726 (SPAM)

Need Help Verifying a Message?

If you receive a phone call, email, text message, letter, or online message claiming to be from a government department, financial institution, company, or other organization and are unsure whether it is legitimate, our constituency office may be able to help direct you to the appropriate resource for verification.

Contact our office before providing personal information, making a payment, or clicking a suspicious link if you are concerned a communication may be fraudulent.

Office Phone Number: 519-837-5170
Office Email Address: [email protected] 

While our office cannot investigate fraud cases or provide legal advice, we can help connect residents with the appropriate government department, regulator, financial institution, or fraud-reporting agency.