Being scammed is stressful, and the first hours matter most: the chance of stopping a payment drops quickly. This guide sets out what to do in order, and what each step accomplishes. It’s part of the banking security hub; for abuse by a partner or family member, see financial abuse warning signs.
What to do, in order
- Call your bank or card issuer. Use the number on the back of your card and report the fraud. Ask whether the payment can be stopped or disputed, and whether cards or accounts should be replaced.
- Report it. File a report with your local police and with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501). Keep the report numbers, since banks may ask for them.
- Place fraud alerts. If personal information was shared, contact both credit bureaus (below).
- Secure your accounts. Change your email password first (it’s used to reset everything else), then banking and other financial accounts, and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Check your CRA account and SIN. See the CRA section below.
- Watch your credit reports and statements. Look for accounts, credit checks or addresses you don’t recognize over the following months.
Can the money be recovered?
| How you paid | What may be possible |
|---|---|
| Credit card | The charge can be disputed with your card issuer |
| Debit card or bank account | Your bank’s fraud team will investigate; outcomes vary |
| Interac e-Transfer | If it hasn’t been deposited yet, your bank may be able to cancel it; once deposited, it’s rarely recovered |
| Wire transfer | Rarely recovered once completed |
| Cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency | Very rarely recovered |
Report it even when recovery is unlikely: the report documents the fraud if accounts are later opened in your name.
Fraud alerts and security freezes
Contact each bureau separately; an alert with one doesn’t appear with the other.
| Bureau | Phone |
|---|---|
| Equifax Canada | 1-800-465-7166 |
| TransUnion Canada | 1-800-663-9980 |
A fraud alert tells lenders to confirm your identity before approving credit (Financial Consumer Agency of Canada). Equifax says its fraud alerts are free and stay on your report for six years, and are for confirmed victims of fraud or identity theft. A security freeze blocks access to your credit report; it’s available only in some provinces and has to be lifted before you apply for credit yourself.
Both bureaus let you see your credit report online for free. Dispute any account or credit check you don’t recognize with the bureau that shows it.
If your CRA account or SIN was involved
The CRA advises contacting it to confirm suspicious activity and request protections on your account: 1-833-995-2336 for individuals, or online through its report a scam or identity theft page. In CRA My Account, check your direct deposit details, mailing address and any returns filed. Report misuse of your SIN to Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627.
The Competition Bureau notes that the CRA will never threaten you with arrest or send police, and never asks for payment by cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards or gift cards.
Recovery scams
People who’ve been scammed are often contacted again by someone claiming they can get the money back for a fee, sometimes posing as police, a government agency or a “recovery service”. Unsolicited offers to recover lost money for an upfront payment are a common follow-up scam.
Looking after yourself
Scams are run by organized groups using practised manipulation, and people of every background are caught by them. Talking to someone you trust, an employee assistance program if you have one, or your province’s victim services can help. Call or text 211 for local support.
Related resources
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 25, 2026. How we check facts.