Scams and fraud - Government of Canada

Learn the signs so you can protect yourself from scammers.

Know the signs of a scam

Many scams and fraud attempt to imitate government services in order to gain access to your personal and financial information.

It may be a scam if someone:

Demands immediate payment
Uses threatening language
Sends you a link and ask you to click on it
Asks for personal or financial information
Requests payment by cryptocurrency or gift cards

If you are in doubt, take a minute to ask yourself why you are being contacted. It's okay to ask questions and say no.

Identify scams related to government services

Report scams or fraud to the appropriate Government of Canada department or agency.

Scammers often pretend to be from:

Service Canada: Social insurance number (SIN), employment insurance (EI) and passport-related scams, how to confirm if Service Canada contacted you.
Scams related to Service Canada
Canada Revenue Agency: Tax and benefit-related scams, how to report scams and fraud, how to verify if the CRA contacted you.
Scams related to Canada Revenue Agency
Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada: Scams and fraud targeting newcomers, what to do and who to contact.
Scams related to Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada
Canada Border Services Agency: Mail package and courier-related scams, know when the CBSA may contact you.
Scams related to Canada Border Services Agency

Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

You should report all scams or fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), even if you were not a victim.

The CAFC collects and provides information on fraud and identity theft to protect Canadians. This information may help assist law enforcement with their investigations.

For details: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Protect yourself

Learn how to protect your personal and financial information from scams and fraud.

Scams and fraud statistics: 2023

Reports processed:
63,434
Victims of fraud:
41,988
Lost to fraud:
$569 M

Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Posters

These print-ready posters give some tips on how to be scam smart and are available in 11 languages.

Select a poster

Text and email scams
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- Tagalog
- Punjabi
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- Ukrainian
Bitcoin and gift cards scams
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Phone call scams
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- Chinese Traditional
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Ways to avoid scams
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- Chinese Traditional
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