Scams and fraud
Year-to-date:
As of June 30, 2023
- Reports of fraud:
32,458
(92,078 in 2022) - Victims of fraud:
21,299
(57,578 in 2022) - Lost to fraud:
$283.5 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
Other helpful links
Not sure if it's us contacting you? Watch our videos to learn more.
Using the same password? Take the quiz and find out how secure your online accounts are.
Posters
These print-ready posters give some tips on how to be scam smart. Available in 11 languages.
Published: 2022-11-29
- Date modified: