Canadian scam alerts and how to protect yourself
CRA scam calls are attempts by callers to impersonate the Canada Revenue Agency and trick you into sharing personal or financial information, or sending money. The caller may claim there is a tax problem, a refund or an urgent account issue. Treat unexpected demands with caution: end the call, verify the claim using contact information … Read more
Canada is warning newcomers about immigration scams involving AI, people posing as officials and fake job offers, according to the report’s headline. If you are looking for immigration help or work in Canada, pause before paying or sharing personal information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. What the scam looks like A person may claim … Read more
If you have lost money to a cryptocurrency scam, be cautious of anyone who promises to get it back for a fee. Crypto recovery scams target people who are already worried about a loss, offering fake investigations, legal help or special access to funds. Some recovery services may be legitimate, but no stranger can guarantee … Read more
A CTV News headline reports that driveway paving scammers have been reported to Sault police. The headline does not give details about the people involved or how the offers were made, but homeowners anywhere in Canada can take steps to check a paving contractor before agreeing to work or handing over money. A paving business … Read more
A staged collision scam can put drivers under pressure after a crash, especially when people disagree about what happened or who is responsible. CTV News reports that a staged vehicle collision in Regina led to fraud charges; a charge is an allegation, not proof of guilt. Drivers should treat any collision seriously, get help if … Read more
The gold safekeeping scam is a warning for Nova Scotians: the RCMP are alerting people to a request to hand over gold to police for safekeeping. Treat an unexpected request like this with care, and verify it independently before you give anyone valuables, personal information or access to your home. What the scam looks like: … Read more
A gold purchase scam is the subject of an RCMP warning reported by Yahoo News Canada. The headline does not give the location, explain how the scam works or identify who is being approached, so anyone considering buying gold should take care to verify the seller and the transaction before paying. What the scam looks … Read more
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is warning newcomers about scams involving people posing as officials and content made with artificial intelligence (AI). These approaches can target people dealing with applications or other immigration matters, especially when they are worried about delays or the consequences of a mistake. What the scam looks like A scammer … Read more
The Regina Police Service has issued a warning about lottery scam video calls. If someone contacts you unexpectedly to say you have won a prize, take time to check the claim before sharing information or sending money. What the scam looks like The police warning identifies video calls as part of the scam, but the … Read more
A headline from Cambridgeshire, England, reports that a woman believed she was speaking with the Pope during an attempted scam involving £500. The report does not explain how the contact happened or what the person asked her to do, so those details should not be assumed. The incident is a reminder for Canadians that a … Read more
Bad cheque fraud can put Canadians at risk when a cheque appears to clear but the money is later removed from an account. CBC reports that a lawyer accused of fraud says a bad cheque did not hurt the bank; an accusation and a person’s response are not a finding of guilt. The situation is … Read more