Emergency help

Think you've been scammed? Take a breath.

It happens to careful people every day, and acting quickly limits the damage. Work through the steps below in order - start with what's most urgent for your situation.

First, right now

Do these as soon as you can, in this order:

Stop all contact with the scammer. Don't send any more money or information - and never pay a "fee" to get your money back, because that's a second scam.
If you shared a password, change it now on the real website - and anywhere else you reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication.
If money or card details are involved, call your bank or card issuer right away and ask them to stop the payment and watch for fraud.
Save the evidence: screenshots, emails, texts, phone numbers, and receipts. You'll need them to report it.
If you installed something or gave someone remote access, disconnect the device from the internet and run a malware scan.

Tick each step as you go - your progress is saved on this device only.

Find your situation

I clicked a suspicious link

Don't type anything into the page - close it. If you're not sure whether the link is safe, check it first. If you already entered details, follow the matching situation below.

Open the Link Checker

I entered my password

Change that password immediately on the real website, and change it anywhere you reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication, then check whether the password has appeared in a known breach.

Open the Password Checker

I sent money or shared card details

Call your bank or card issuer now - use the number on the back of your card. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and flag your account for fraud. The sooner you call, the better the chance of getting money back.

How to report it

I shared personal information

If you gave out your SIN, date of birth, or banking details, place a fraud alert on your credit file with both Equifax and TransUnion, and watch your accounts closely for anything you don't recognize.

Place a fraud alert

Report it

Reporting helps you recover and stops the scammer from reaching other people. In Canada:

Your bank or card issuer

Call the number on the back of your card. They can stop payments, reverse charges, and protect your accounts - this is the most urgent call if money is involved.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Report any scam or fraud attempt, even if you didn't lose money. Reports help authorities track and stop scams.

1-888-495-8501

Report online

Credit bureaus

If your identity may be exposed, ask both bureaus to add a fraud alert to your file.

Equifax 1-800-465-7166
TransUnion 1-800-663-9980

Local police

File a report for identity theft or a significant loss - you may need it for your bank or insurer. Call 911 only in an emergency.

Want to avoid the next one?

Learn how to spot scams