Scams work by creating urgency, fear, secrecy or an opportunity that seems too good to lose. Your safest first step is to stop the conversation.
Pause, leave, verify
- Pause. Do not pay, click, install software or read out a code.
- Leave the conversation. Hang up or close the message. Caller ID and email names can be faked.
- Verify independently. Find the organization’s official website or the number on your card or statement. Do not use contact information supplied by the suspicious person.
Common warning signs
- threats of arrest, deportation, account closure or immediate legal action
- payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or cash courier
- a job that requires you to deposit a cheque and send money elsewhere
- a rental that cannot be viewed before a deposit
- a romantic or investment contact who needs emergency money
- a caller asking for remote access to your phone or computer
- someone asking for a one-time authentication code
Government and immigration claims
Immigration officials will not promise an application result for payment. Confirm every message through your online account or an official Canada.ca contact. Check that any paid immigration representative is authorized before sharing documents or signing a contract.
If you already paid or shared information
Contact your financial institution immediately. Change exposed passwords from a safe device and turn on multi-factor authentication. Contact the organization that issued any exposed identity document. Report the incident to local police if money, threats or identity theft are involved, and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Do not hide the event from family because you feel embarrassed. Fast action can limit the damage, and detailed reports help other people avoid the same scheme.