Spotting scams.
Privacy & Security
Learn about how to spot scams, how they’re used, and how to protect yourself.
Browse by where scams commonly occur:
Online
Phone
In-person
Online
Online shopping marketplaces.
Online, in-person
Scammers post ticket listings or other products on trusted marketplaces with prices that seem too good to be true. They often create urgency and ask for payment off-platform, such as Interac e-Transfer.
Scammers post ticket listings or other products on trusted marketplaces with prices that seem too good to be true. They often create urgency and ask for payment off-platform, such as Interac e-Transfer.
Logging into a fake website that looks real.
Online
Fake online ad, a fake email (phishing), SMS (smishing), or call (vishing) that takes, or directs, you to a fake login page to steal your login credentials, credit card details, or other private information.
Fake online ad, a fake email (phishing), SMS (smishing), or call (vishing) that takes, or directs, you to a fake login page to steal your login credentials, credit card details, or other private information.
Talking to a fake government, bank, or other service rep.
Online, phone
To steal your personal and/or business identity including private and financial information and use it to access money or credit in your name. This is how one way identity theft occurs.
To steal your personal and/or business identity including private and financial information and use it to access money or credit in your name. This is how one way identity theft occurs.
Downloading something that hijacks your computer.
Online
Downloading unfamiliar programs can expose your personal information, passwords and passcodes, or give someone control of your device without you knowing.
Downloading unfamiliar programs can expose your personal information, passwords and passcodes, or give someone control of your device without you knowing.
Getting emotionally involved with a stranger.
Online, phone
To steal your money in the name of financial assistance and private information which they’ll use to impersonate you in order to access your bank account. Romance scams are one of the most prevalent frauds right now.
To steal your money in the name of financial assistance and private information which they’ll use to impersonate you in order to access your bank account. Romance scams are one of the most prevalent frauds right now.
Being hired for a fake job.
Online, phone
To get you to send funds on the pretext of purchasing goods or equipment associate with the role or to share your personal banking information are some examples of employments scams.
To get you to send funds on the pretext of purchasing goods or equipment associate with the role or to share your personal banking information are some examples of employments scams.
Being convinced into thinking you’re in trouble.
Online, phone
To extract your personal and financial information to facilitate identity theft or secure funds. This pattern of defrauding is seen in CRA / immigration / emergency bank inspector scams.
To extract your personal and financial information to facilitate identity theft or secure funds. This pattern of defrauding is seen in CRA / immigration / emergency bank inspector scams.
Returning funds sent to you “accidentally”.
Online, phone
To extract money from your account by asking you to deposit a cheque they’ve sent but then requesting you to send the money via e-transfer or money order somewhere else. This is the cheque fraud - one of the riskiest scams as it could hold you liable.
To extract money from your account by asking you to deposit a cheque they’ve sent but then requesting you to send the money via e-transfer or money order somewhere else. This is the cheque fraud - one of the riskiest scams as it could hold you liable.