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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.

  • Online reporting: Submit a report online

  • 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.

Types of Government of Canada related scams and fraud

Protecting yourself

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.

Select a poster

  • Text and email scams

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    • English
    • Français (French)
    • Spanish
    • Farsi
    • Chinese Simplified
    • Chinese Traditional
    • Arabic
    • Tagalog
    • Punjabi
    • Russian
    • Ukrainian
  • Bitcoin and gift cards scams

    Select a language

    • English
    • Français (French)
    • Spanish
    • Farsi
    • Chinese Simplified
    • Chinese Traditional
    • Arabic
    • Tagalog
    • Punjabi
    • Russian
    • Ukrainian
  • Phone call scams

    Select a language

    • English
    • Français (French)
    • Spanish
    • Farsi
    • Chinese Simplified
    • Chinese Traditional
    • Arabic
    • Tagalog
    • Punjabi
    • Russian
    • Ukrainian
  • Ways to avoid scams

    Select a language

    • English
    • Français (French)
    • Spanish
    • Farsi
    • Chinese Simplified
    • Chinese Traditional
    • Arabic
    • Tagalog
    • Punjabi
    • Russian
    • Ukrainian

Published: 2022-11-29

   

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