Scams and fraud
Year-to-date:
As of December 31, 2023
- Reports of fraud:
62,365
(92,078 in 2022) - Victims of fraud:
41,111
(57,578 in 2022) - Lost to fraud:
$554 M
($531 M in 2022)
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Report a scam
If you or a family member have been contacted by a scammer, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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Online reporting: Submit a report online
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Call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll free:
- 1-888-495-8501
- Monday – Friday 9AM – 4:45PM EST
Learn the signs of a scam
Many scams and frauds attempt to imitate government services in order to gain access to your personal and financial information. It may be a scam if someone is:
- Demanding immediate payment
- Requesting payment with cryptocurrency or gift cards
- Using threatening language
- Sending you a link to click on
- Asking for personal or financial information
Learn what to expect if we contact you and how to help protect yourself from scams and fraud.
- Messages claiming to be from Service Canada or 1 800 O-Canada
- Messages claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency
- Messages claiming to be from Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada
- Messages claiming to be from Canada Border Services Agency
Types of Government of Canada related scams and fraud
- Phone call scams
- Prepaid cards, bitcoin, e-transfer payment scams
- Email scams
- Text messages/instant messaging scams
- Mail scams
- Common scams aimed at newcomers to Canada
Protecting yourself
- Stay safe online
- Protect yourself from scams and fraud
- Protect your Social Insurance Number
- Protect your financial information