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Scam of the Week
Real scams making the rounds in Canada right now, explained simply - how each one works, the red flags, and exactly what to do. Check back often.
The "free upgrade" from your phone company
Someone calls offering a loyalty deal or a free upgrade from your phone company, and asks you to read back the code that was just texted to you. A device really is ordered - in your name, on your bill - and then a courier or a return label takes it away again.
Read alertThe "investigator" who sends someone to your door
A caller says they are a police officer, a bank investigator or someone from a credit bureau, and that your accounts have been compromised. The instruction that follows is the tell: put your cards, with the PINs, in an envelope for the person who will come by to pick them up.
Read alertThe text that says your health card has expired
A text says your health card is a "legacy document", or that a mandatory replacement is due, and gives you a link and a deadline. Provinces do renew cards - by mail, and never by sending you a link to pay through.
Read alertThe fake Desjardins security-alert call
A text flags a suspicious transaction on your Desjardins account and invites you to reply. The call that follows is a fake security agent after the code that was just texted to you - or after a transfer to a "secure account."
Read alertThe Hydro-Québec disconnection scam
A text or phone call claims your Hydro-Québec bill is past due and your power will be cut the same day unless you pay immediately. Hydro-Québec doesn't ask for a card number by text or take payment in gift cards.
Read alertThe fake SAAQclic text scam
A text or email impersonates Québec's SAAQ - a licence to renew, an unpaid registration, a refund waiting - with a link to a look-alike SAAQclic sign-in page. The only check worth making is opening your own file yourself.
Read alertThe fake Revenu Québec refund email
An email impersonating Revenu Québec - a refund to confirm, or a provincial balance to settle - links to a look-alike My Account sign-in page. It trades on the confusion between your federal file at the CRA and your provincial one.
Read alertThe fake concert-ticket resale scam
A sold-out show, a stranger selling tickets at face value, and a request to e-Transfer first. The tickets never arrive - or were sold to a dozen people - and an accepted e-Transfer is almost impossible to get back.
Read alertThe fake rental listing scam
A below-market rental listing, a "landlord" who is out of town and can't show the unit, and pressure to send a deposit by e-Transfer to hold it. The apartment isn't theirs to rent - moving season is prime time for this one.
Read alertThe CRA tax-refund text scam
A text or email claims to be the Canada Revenue Agency - a refund waiting, or taxes owed - with a link to "claim" or pay. The CRA never sends refunds or asks for personal info by text.
Read alertThe "easy online job" task scam
An out-of-the-blue message offers well-paid, easy online work - liking videos or "optimizing" products. Small early payouts build trust, then you're asked to deposit your own money to "unlock" earnings.
Read alertThe fake Interac e-Transfer scam
A "buyer" on Marketplace or Kijiji says they paid by Interac e-Transfer, then a fake "on hold" email asks you to click a link or pay a fee to release the funds.
Read alertThe unpaid-toll text scam
A text claims you owe a few dollars in unpaid road tolls and must pay immediately through a link. The small amount is bait - the real target is your card number.
Read alertThe fake subscription-renewal invoice
A receipt-style email says a subscription you don't remember auto-renewed for a large amount, with a number to call to "cancel." The call leads to a fake refund scam.
Read alertThe "bank fraud department" call
A call or text appears to be from your bank's fraud department, warning of a suspicious charge. They ask you to read back a security code or move money to a "safe account."
Read alert