Being scammed carries shame that often delays reporting — but acting fast is the single most important factor in recovering money and preventing further damage. Here is how to know what happened and what to do about it.
Signs you have been scammed
Red flags that indicate fraud already occurred
| Warning sign | Likely scam type |
|---|---|
| You paid with gift cards and cannot reach the payee | CRA/government impersonation, tech support |
| You sent crypto and the “investment” has disappeared | Cryptocurrency investment fraud (“pig butchering”) |
| You received a cheque, deposited it, and sent money back | Fake cheque / overpayment scam |
| Remote access software was installed on your device | Tech support / bank impersonation |
| Your online “romantic partner” asked for money | Romance scam |
| You paid for a job posting’s “equipment” and were never hired | Employment scam |
| You won a prize but had to pay fees to receive it | Lottery/prize scam |
| You sent an e-Transfer and the recipient has disappeared | Marketplace fraud (Kijiji, Facebook) |
| Your bank account shows transactions you do not recognize | Account takeover / phishing |
The most common Canadian scams by dollar loss
Data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC):
| Scam type | Typical loss range | Common payment method |
|---|---|---|
| Investment / crypto fraud | $20,000–$500,000+ | Cryptocurrency |
| Romance scam | $5,000–$200,000+ | Wire transfer, crypto |
| Bank/tech support impersonation | $2,000–$50,000 | Wire transfer, gift cards |
| CRA impersonation | $500–$10,000 | Gift cards, Interac |
| Employment scam | $500–$5,000 | Interac e-Transfer |
| Online marketplace fraud | $200–$5,000 | e-Transfer, cash |
| Phishing / account takeover | Varies | Account access |
Immediate action steps (first 24–48 hours)
1. Stop all contact with the scammer
Do not send any more money, even if they threaten you or promise to return your funds. The “recovery scam” — where a second scammer posing as law enforcement offers to recover your money for a fee — is extremely common.
2. Contact your financial institution immediately
| How you paid | Who to call | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Interac e-Transfer | Your bank | Recall the transfer if unclaimed; report fraud if accepted |
| Credit card | Credit card issuer | Dispute the charge under Visa/Mastercard chargeback rules |
| Wire / EFT | Your bank | Recall request (success rate is low but worth trying immediately) |
| Gift cards | Gift card issuer | Each issuer has a fraud line; some can freeze unused balances |
| Cryptocurrency | Your exchange | Report fraud; recovery is nearly impossible but document for police |
| Pre-authorized debit | Your bank | Stop payment and initiate dispute |
3. Protect your accounts
- Change passwords on email, banking, and social media — use a device that was not compromised
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts
- If you gave your SIN, consider a credit freeze with Equifax and TransUnion
4. Document everything
Keep all of the following:
- Emails, texts, and social media messages
- Phone numbers and account names used by the scammer
- Screenshots of any websites or profiles
- Bank records showing transfers
- Any correspondence promising returns or services
How to report a scam in Canada
| Organization | Contact | What to report |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) | antifraudcentre.ca or 1-888-495-8501 | All fraud and scam attempts |
| Your local police | Non-emergency line | Losses over $5,000 or if you can identify the suspect |
| Your bank’s fraud line | Back of your bank card | Unauthorized account activity |
| Equifax fraud alert | 1-800-465-7166 | If SIN or identity was compromised |
| TransUnion fraud alert | 1-800-663-9980 | If SIN or identity was compromised |
| Competition Bureau | competitionbureau.gc.ca | Deceptive marketing, fake businesses |
| CRTC | crtc.gc.ca/spam | Spam, phishing emails or texts |
Filing a police report also creates a record that may be required for insurance claims or bank fraud investigations.
CRA impersonation scams: what CRA will and will not do
The real CRA will never:
- Ask for payment by gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc.)
- Demand cryptocurrency payment
- Threaten immediate arrest if you do not pay
- Ask for your banking details over the phone
- Send you an email with a link asking you to log into My Account
- Leave threatening voicemails
The real CRA will:
- Send official letters to your address on file
- Call you (but will give you time to call back on the official number to verify)
- Allow you to dispute amounts before enforcement
- Accept payments through standard channels (online banking, My Payment, Canada Post)
If you receive a suspicious CRA-related call, hang up and call 1-800-959-8281 to verify.
If your identity was stolen
If a scammer obtained your SIN, banking details, or enough information to open accounts in your name:
- Place a fraud alert with Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion (1-800-663-9980)
- Review your credit report for accounts you did not open
- Contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218 to report SIN misuse
- Contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (priv.gc.ca) if personal data was breached by a business
- If new credit was fraudulently opened, dispute it with each bureau and the creditor