Scam Protection
Learn to identify and avoid common scams targeting newcomers in Canada.
If you have been scammed, call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre immediately:
Common Scams Targeting Newcomers
Click on each scam type to see real examples, red flags, and sample scam messages.
Common Examples
- Emails claiming to be from IRCC asking you to pay fees through gift cards or wire transfers
- Ghost consultants who charge thousands but are not licensed and file fraudulent applications or nothing at all
- Phone calls claiming your immigration file has a problem and you must pay immediately to avoid deportation
- Fake IRCC portal websites that steal your login credentials and personal information
- AI-generated voice calls impersonating IRCC officers that sound completely realistic
- RCMP or CBSA impersonators claiming a warrant has been issued for your arrest due to immigration violations
- WhatsApp messages from someone claiming to be a government official offering to speed up your PR application for a fee
- Fake DM notifications saying your study or work permit is expiring and you must renew through a link immediately
Red Flags
- IRCC never asks for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer
- Unsolicited calls or emails claiming urgent problems with your application
- Consultants who guarantee approval or promise to speed up processing for extra payment
- Requests for your UCI number, passport scan, or IRCC login credentials via email or text
- Pressure to pay immediately without time to verify identity or consult anyone
- RCMP or CBSA officers threatening arrest over the phone and demanding payment to avoid it
- Any consultant not listed on the CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) register
- Websites with URLs like 'ircc-canada-portal.com' or 'canada-immigration-services.org' that are not canada.ca
Example Scam Message
"Dear applicant, your immigration file IMM-2025-XXXX has been flagged for urgent review by IRCC Security Division. A processing hold has been placed on your permanent residence application due to incomplete documentation. Failure to pay the $750 administrative release fee within 24 hours will result in automatic file closure and possible removal proceedings. Payment must be made via Interac e-Transfer to: process.ircc.ca@gmail.com. Do not contact the IRCC main office as this matter is under confidential review." This is a scam. IRCC communicates only through your secure online account or official mail to your address on file.
Common Examples
- Job offers requiring you to pay for training materials, a uniform, or a background check before starting
- Work-from-home jobs that ask you to deposit cheques and wire money back, keeping you legally liable for fraud
- Companies asking for your SIN, passport copy, and banking details before any interview or formal offer
- Fake LinkedIn recruiters with polished profiles offering roles paying $50-$100/hr for minimal experience
- Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies disguised as regular employment opportunities
- Work permit 'assistance' services targeting Temporary Foreign Workers, charging illegal fees
- Resume harvesting scams where the 'job' is fake and your resume and SIN are sold to identity thieves
- Fake government job postings on Kijiji or Facebook claiming to be Service Canada or the federal government
Red Flags
- Legitimate employers never ask you to pay any fee to get a job
- Job offers received without applying or with no interview process
- Requests to provide banking information or SIN before being formally hired
- Vague job descriptions with unrealistic salary promises
- Communication only through personal Gmail or Hotmail accounts, not a company domain
- Offer requires you to purchase and resell a product from inventory you buy yourself
- Job posting has grammar errors or is copy-pasted from another legitimate posting with different contact details
- Employer pressures you to start immediately and skip reference checks or contracts
Example Scam Message
"Congratulations! After reviewing your profile on Indeed, we would like to offer you a Remote Customer Service Manager position at $42/hr with full benefits. Before your official start date, you will need to complete a mandatory background check ($150) and purchase your work-from-home equipment package ($350) from our certified vendor. Both are fully reimbursed in your first paycheck. Please confirm by replying with your full name, date of birth, SIN, and home address." No legitimate employer asks you to pay any money before starting work. The reimbursement never happens.
Common Examples
- Ghost listings: properties that do not exist or are not for rent, used solely to collect deposits
- Bait-and-switch rentals: the unit advertised is unavailable, but a worse, more expensive option is offered once you arrive
- Landlords who claim to be overseas and cannot show the property, asking for rent to 'secure the unit'
- Sublets listed without the landlord's knowledge or permission, meaning you have no legal tenancy
- Fake property management companies with professional websites that collect first and last month's rent then vanish
- Duplicate listings copied from Zillow or Rentals.ca with different contact information and a lower price
- Requests for full year's rent upfront at a 'discount' before you sign a formal lease
- Scammers who show you a real unit, take your deposit, then show the same unit to five other people
Red Flags
- Rent significantly below market rate for the neighborhood, even by $300 or more
- Landlord refuses or is unable to show the property in person before payment
- Requests for payment by wire transfer, e-Transfer to a personal account, or cryptocurrency
- Pressure to decide immediately because many others are interested
- No formal lease agreement or refusal to provide one before payment
- Landlord claims to be a missionary, military officer, or aid worker overseas
- Property is listed on multiple platforms at different prices with slightly different photos
- Landlord asks you to send rent via Facebook Pay, Zelle, or cryptocurrency to avoid fees
Example Scam Message
"Beautiful 2-bedroom apartment near downtown Vancouver, $1,100/month, utilities included. I am currently doing humanitarian work overseas and cannot meet in person. The apartment is managed by my property assistant who can let you in after payment is confirmed. Please send first month's rent ($1,100) via e-Transfer to confirm your interest. I will mail you the keys and lease via FedEx within 48 hours. Act quickly as I have had many inquiries." Never pay rent without viewing the property in person and signing a written lease. This is a textbook scam.
Common Examples
- Automated or live calls claiming you owe back taxes and a warrant has been issued for your arrest
- Threats of immediate deportation if you do not pay the 'tax debt' right away
- Demands for payment via iTunes gift cards, Google Play cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfer
- Text messages with links to fake CRA login pages that steal your credentials and SIN
- Fake CRA refund phishing emails claiming '$1,247 refund is ready, update your banking details'
- Fake T4 slips or benefits letters mailed to your address to make the scam seem more legitimate
- CRA impersonators who already know your name and address, making the call feel real
Red Flags
- The CRA never threatens arrest or deportation over the phone for unpaid taxes
- The CRA never demands payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, or prepaid Visa cards
- Aggressive, threatening language designed to create panic and prevent you from thinking clearly
- Caller ID can be spoofed to show 1-800-959-8281 (the real CRA number), so caller ID proves nothing
- The CRA will not ask for personal information by email, text, or an unverified phone call
- Real CRA correspondence arrives by mail to your registered address, not by urgent phone call
- You are told not to tell your family, lawyer, or accountant about the call
Example Scam Message
"This is Officer David Mitchell calling from the Canada Revenue Agency enforcement division. Our records show that you have committed tax fraud in the amounts of $4,200 over the last two years. This is your final notice before we issue an arrest warrant through the RCMP. To settle this matter today and avoid arrest, you must purchase $4,200 in Google Play gift cards and call us back with the card numbers. You have two hours to comply. Do not contact a lawyer as this is a criminal investigation." The CRA does not operate this way under any circumstances. Hang up and call 1-800-959-8281 from canada.ca to verify your actual account status.
Common Examples
- Phishing SMS messages pretending to be TD, RBC, or Scotiabank asking you to verify your account
- Calls claiming suspicious activity on your account, asking for your card number and PIN to confirm your identity
- Grandparent scam: callers pretend to be your grandchild in jail and need bail money sent immediately
- Romance scams that eventually lead to a request for an e-Transfer for a plane ticket or emergency
- Fake CDIC (Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation) scams claiming your deposits are at risk
- Advance fee fraud: you are promised a large inheritance or lottery win, but must pay fees first
- E-Transfer interception: scammers intercept an e-Transfer notification and deposit it before you can
- Fake bank security alerts by email with a link to a cloned banking website
Red Flags
- Your bank will never ask for your PIN, full card number, or password by phone, email, or text
- Unsolicited messages with urgent warnings like 'your account has been locked, verify now'
- Links in messages that do not exactly match the official bank website (e.g., 'td-securelogin.com' is fake)
- Requests to share one-time passwords or verification codes sent to your phone
- Someone you met online asks you to receive money and send it to a third party
- A 'bank fraud investigator' calls and asks you to move your money to a 'safe account' they control
Example Scam Message
"SECURITY ALERT from TD Bank: We have detected unusual access to your account from an unknown device. Your online banking has been temporarily suspended. To restore access, please verify your identity at: td-verify-account.com/secure" This is not TD Bank. The real TD Bank website is td.com. A bank will never suspend your account and ask you to verify through a link in a text message. Call the number on the back of your bank card to check your account status.
Common Examples
- A phone call using your child's cloned voice saying they are in jail and need bail money immediately
- A video call from someone who looks and sounds exactly like a government official, requesting document verification
- Perfectly written phishing emails generated by AI with no grammar errors and exact corporate branding
- Deepfake videos of celebrities or government officials promoting cryptocurrency investments
- AI-generated voice of a 'bank manager' calling to help you 'resolve fraud' on your account
- WhatsApp voice messages cloned from a friend's voice asking for an urgent e-Transfer
- Fake video proof-of-identity where the scammer uses a deepfake face during a video call
Red Flags
- Extreme urgency combined with a request for money, no matter how real the voice sounds
- The caller insists on secrecy and asks you not to contact the real person to verify
- Slight audio artifacts, unnatural blinking in video, or lip sync that is slightly off
- The person contacts you through an unusual channel, like a new WhatsApp number
- They cannot answer a specific personal question only the real person would know
- The story involves a sudden emergency that requires immediate untraceable payment
- Deepfake videos of public figures endorsing investments rarely appear on official channels
Example Scam Message
You receive a WhatsApp call. Your mother's voice says: "It's me. I had an accident at the mall and the other driver is demanding $3,000 in cash or they will press charges. I cannot reach your dad. Please send $3,000 to this number right now and I will explain everything when I get home. Please hurry." Before sending any money, hang up and call your mother back on her known phone number from your contacts. If someone truly cannot answer their own phone in an emergency, that is a sign the caller is not who they claim to be.
Common Examples
- Facebook Marketplace listings for phones, furniture, or electronics that require e-Transfer upfront and never arrive
- Instagram or TikTok ads showing screenshots of huge investment gains, leading to pig butchering crypto scams
- Fake government benefit ads on Facebook claiming unclaimed CERB or CCB payments
- Accounts impersonating WelcomeAide, MOSAIC, or other settlement agencies asking newcomers to pay for services
- WhatsApp groups promising passive income from a 'government-approved investment program'
- Facebook groups for newcomers where scammers pose as members and offer fake jobs or rentals
- Instagram DMs from accounts with stolen photos of real people, building fake relationships before asking for money
Red Flags
- Seller insists on e-Transfer before you can view or pick up the item
- Account has very few posts or followers but is promoting a high-value item or investment opportunity
- The ad shows government logos but the page is not an official government Facebook page (look for verified blue checkmarks)
- Investment opportunity promises 20 to 50 percent monthly returns with screenshots as proof
- Settlement agency account that charges fees for services that are always free at real agencies
- The person pressures you to move the conversation from the platform to WhatsApp or Telegram
Example Scam Message
A Facebook ad shows: "Canadian government unclaimed benefits for newcomers 2025. You may be eligible for up to $4,800 in settlement assistance. Claim your payment before December 31st. Click here." The link goes to a form that collects your SIN, banking details, and address. No such program exists. Government benefit programs are accessed at canada.ca, never through Facebook ads that require your banking information.
Common Examples
- SIM swapping: scammer convinces your carrier to transfer your number to a new SIM card they control
- Fake Rogers or Bell calls claiming you have won a free phone upgrade and need to verify your account
- Text messages saying your number will be suspended unless you call a number to verify your identity
- CRTC impersonation calls claiming you owe fines for illegal downloads and must pay immediately
- Prize scam texts saying you won a gift card and must call a number or click a link to claim it
- Robocalls claiming your SIN has been suspended due to criminal activity linked to your phone number
- Fake carrier customer service that asks for your account PIN and personal information
Red Flags
- Your phone suddenly loses service for no apparent reason (may indicate SIM swap is in progress)
- Unexpected texts from your carrier about account changes you did not make
- A caller claiming to be from your phone provider asks for your account PIN or SIN over the phone
- Text prize notifications that ask you to call a number or pay a fee to claim your prize
- CRTC or government agency threatening a fine over the phone related to your phone number
- Robocall says your SIN has been suspended, which is not something that can happen
Example Scam Message
You receive a text: "ROGERS: Your account is under review due to suspicious activity. To avoid service suspension, please verify your account immediately at rogers-account-verify.com or call 1-800-XXX-XXXX." Simultaneously, you notice your phone has no signal. A scammer has called Rogers, pretended to be you using information from a data breach, and convinced them to move your number to a new SIM card. Now they have access to your banking SMS verification codes. Call your carrier immediately using the number on their official website if your phone loses service unexpectedly.
Common Examples
- Fake offer letters from real universities, obtained by submitting fraudulent applications through unlicensed agents
- Diploma mills: schools that issue degrees and diplomas without real education or accreditation
- Fake scholarship websites that charge application fees of $50 to $200 for scholarships that do not exist
- Unauthorized IRCC study permit services that take money but submit incorrect or no applications
- Fake tuition refund scams targeting students who have withdrawn, claiming CRA owes them money back
- Agents who guarantee a study permit for a fee, which is impossible since IRCC makes all decisions
- Fake English proficiency test centers that sell fraudulent IELTS or TOEFL certificates
Red Flags
- Admission offer received without submitting a full application through the school's official portal
- School is not listed on the IRCC Designated Learning Institution (DLI) list at canada.ca
- Scholarship requires an application fee or your banking details to receive the award
- Study permit agent guarantees approval, which no one outside IRCC can promise
- School has no accreditation from a recognized provincial education authority
- English test certificate offered for a fee without taking the actual test
- Tuition refund offer requires you to pay a processing fee first to receive your refund
Example Scam Message
"Congratulations! Global Canadian University is pleased to offer you admission to the Bachelor of Business Administration program starting September 2025. As our international intake is limited, please pay the $3,000 enrollment deposit within 7 days to secure your spot. Upon deposit, we will begin processing your IRCC study permit application. We have a 98% study permit approval rate for our students." Always verify the school on the IRCC DLI list before paying any deposit. A real accredited university never pressures students with 7-day deadlines on acceptance offers.
Common Examples
- Fake OHIP or provincial health card offers claiming faster coverage in exchange for a fee
- Unauthorized supplement sellers targeting newcomer communities with miracle cure claims in their language
- Fake COVID-related health benefit programs promising payments to people who 'register' their vaccination status
- Scammers claiming they can extend or restore your health coverage that has lapsed for a fee
- Online pharmacies selling counterfeit medications at very low prices
- Alternative practitioners charging thousands for unproven treatments targeting people with serious illnesses
- Fake denture or vision clinics that charge seniors and newcomers upfront for treatments never delivered
Red Flags
- No government in Canada charges a fee for provincial health card registration. It is always free
- Any supplement claiming to cure, treat, or prevent a disease is making an illegal health claim in Canada
- Health benefit programs are accessed through official government websites, never through paid third parties
- Practitioners offering guaranteed cures for serious illnesses like cancer, diabetes, or chronic pain
- Online pharmacies without a Canadian pharmacy license or physical address
- Anyone claiming you need to pay extra to maintain or expedite your provincial health coverage
Example Scam Message
You receive a flyer in your mailbox, in your language: "NEW ARRIVALS: Get your Ontario health card processed in 2 weeks instead of 3 months. Our service fee is $350. We handle all paperwork. Call now for your appointment." Provincial health cards are applied for free at ServiceOntario or equivalent provincial offices. Processing times are set by the government and cannot be expedited through a third party. This is a scam.
Common Examples
- Fake CCB overpayment notices demanding immediate repayment by e-Transfer or gift card
- Scam calls claiming your CERB or EI payments were issued in error and must be repaid immediately
- Fake provincial benefit offers claiming you qualify for a one-time settlement grant of $2,500
- Texts about unclaimed government stimulus cheques requiring banking details to claim
- Fake agents offering to apply for all government benefits on your behalf for a $500 processing fee
- Emails claiming your GST or HST credit direct deposit failed and you need to update banking details
- Calls claiming your OAS, CPP, or GIS payments have been suspended due to an investigation
Red Flags
- CRA and Service Canada never contact you by text message requesting banking information
- Government benefit repayment requests always come by official mail, not urgent phone calls
- No legitimate government program charges a fee to apply for benefits on your behalf
- Real benefit overpayment notices come with a formal explanation and 30-day response period
- Any message claiming a one-time newcomer grant is available but requires a fee to claim
- Government agencies never accept repayment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or e-Transfer to a personal account
Example Scam Message
"SERVICE CANADA: Our records show you received an overpayment of $1,847 in CERB benefits in 2020. Failure to repay within 48 hours will result in a 15% penalty and legal action. To repay and avoid additional charges, e-Transfer $1,847 to: service.canada.repayment@outlook.com immediately." Real Service Canada overpayment notices arrive by registered mail with a 30-day window to respond or set up a repayment plan. The repayment is made through your CRA My Account or by mailing a cheque to the Receiver General of Canada, never by e-Transfer to a Gmail or Outlook address.
Common Examples
- Fake Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) that accept tuition but provide no accredited education
- Agents guaranteeing study permit approval for an extra fee beyond standard application costs
- Scholarship scams requiring an application fee or personal banking information
- Fake co-op or work placement programs that charge large upfront fees with no real placement
- Agents who submit fraudulent applications with forged documents without the student's knowledge
Red Flags
- School is not on the official IRCC DLI list at canada.ca
- Guaranteed visa or permit approval: no private individual or company can guarantee this
- Large upfront fees for placement or scholarship applications
- Poor online presence, no physical campus, or unverifiable provincial accreditation
- Agent asks you to sign forms you are not allowed to read first
- Offer letter contains grammar errors or is on template paper rather than official school letterhead
Example Scam Message
"Enroll at Canadian Global Institute of Technology. We offer guaranteed study permit approval and a direct pathway to PR through our PGW program. Pay the $4,500 enrollment fee now to secure your seat. Study permits processed in 3 weeks!" Always verify any school on the IRCC DLI list at canada.ca before paying any amount. Study permit processing times are set by IRCC and cannot be expedited by a private institution.
Common Examples
- Online relationships that escalate quickly with intense emotional language and professions of love within days
- Partner claims to need money for an emergency, medical bills, or a plane ticket to come visit you
- Requests to receive and forward packages or money transfers, making you an unwitting money mule
- Refusal to video call or consistent excuses: bad camera, poor internet, always working night shifts
- Partner introduces a profitable investment opportunity after establishing emotional trust
- Deepfake video calls that appear to show a real attractive person but are AI-generated in real time
Red Flags
- Relationship moves unusually fast with overwhelming compliments and intense declarations of love
- Person claims to be military, engineer, doctor, or oil rig worker always working overseas
- Every planned meeting is cancelled due to a sudden emergency or family crisis
- Requests for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers for any reason
- Cannot make a spontaneous live video call at a moment you choose
- Reverse image search of their photo returns results from other profiles or stock photo sites
Example Scam Message
After six weeks of daily conversation on a dating app, your new partner writes: "I know this is hard to ask, but my daughter is in the hospital and I have a hold on my overseas bank account. I will pay you back double as soon as I land. I just need $4,000 right now. I would do the same for you. We have something real here and I cannot lose you." This is a classic romance scam pattern. Never send money to someone you have not met in person multiple times, regardless of how deep the connection feels.
Common Examples
- A new contact on social media mentions an insider crypto investment opportunity with guaranteed returns
- Fake trading platforms showing large profits on your dashboard that you can see but not access
- Small test withdrawals that succeed to build trust before the pressure to invest much larger amounts
- Romance partners who, after weeks of building trust, want to share an investment opportunity with you
- Referrals to a platform that requires a 15% tax payment before you can withdraw your gains
- Fake customer service representatives who offer to help you withdraw but require fees each time
Red Flags
- Unsolicited investment tips through WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, or dating apps
- Guaranteed high returns with low risk: this does not exist in any legitimate investment
- Platform not registered with Canadian Securities Administrators at securities-administrators.ca
- Tax or fee required before withdrawal: legitimate platforms withhold taxes automatically
- Unable to withdraw funds for any reason after depositing
- The platform app was installed through a link, not the official Apple App Store or Google Play
Example Scam Message
A new friend on WhatsApp says: "I have been using this trading platform my uncle recommended and made $40,000 last month. Let me show you how to set it up. Just start with $500 to test it." Two weeks later, your dashboard shows $8,400. You are told to deposit $15,000 to activate a trading bonus. When you try to withdraw everything, you are told you must pay a 15% capital gains tax upfront ($3,500) before the funds can be released. You pay it, but then they say your account needs to be verified with another $2,000. This process continues until you run out of money or refuse to pay. The platform and all profits are completely fake.
Common Examples
- A call using your child's cloned voice saying they are in a car accident and need bail money
- Your parent's voice saying they are stuck in a foreign country and need emergency funds
- The grandparent scam updated with AI: a caller sounds exactly like your grandchild in trouble
- A voice message from a friend's cloned voice claiming they were mugged and need an e-Transfer
- A call using your sibling's voice claiming they need to borrow money for rent urgently
Red Flags
- Extreme urgency and emotional pressure combined with a request for untraceable payment
- The caller insists on secrecy and asks you not to contact anyone else including the real person
- Story involves police, lawyers, or hospitals demanding immediate cash payment
- Caller is reluctant to stay on the line or give you time to think or verify
- Voice sounds real but the person does not know recent personal details only the real person would know
- Payment method is e-Transfer to a new number, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
Example Scam Message
You receive a call. Your son's voice says: "Dad, I am so sorry. I was in an accident and I hit another car. The driver is really angry and says he will press charges unless I pay him $2,500 right now in cash. I am at a gas station on Boundary Road. Please do not tell mom. Can you Interac transfer it to his number? I will explain everything when I get home. Please hurry." Before sending anything, hang up and call your son directly on his phone number in your contacts. If he answers, the other call was a scam. If he cannot answer, call another family member to check. Establish a family emergency code word to use in exactly these situations.
Common Examples
- Texts claiming 'Your CRA tax refund of $847 is ready. Click to claim before it expires'
- Emails saying your CCB or GST credit could not be deposited and you need to update your banking information
- Fake Service Canada messages about unclaimed EI or CPP payments requiring banking verification
- Links to websites that look exactly like canada.ca but have slightly different URLs
- Climate Action Incentive payment scams claiming you have uncollected quarterly payments
Red Flags
- CRA and Service Canada send notifications through your secure online account, not by SMS or email with links
- The URL contains canada.ca within a longer address like 'cra-benefits.ca-refund-portal.net'
- Any request for banking information, SIN, or card numbers through a link in a message
- Urgent language: 'Claim within 48 hours or your refund expires'
- The message arrives as a text, which CRA does not use to notify you of refunds
- The email comes from a Gmail, Hotmail, or non-government domain
Example Scam Message
"CRA Alert: Your 2024 tax refund of $1,243.00 is ready for deposit. Your direct deposit information on file appears invalid. To receive your refund, update your banking information at: cra-refund-canada.com/update within 72 hours or your refund will be held for 12 months." The real CRA website is canada.ca. When CRA cannot deposit a refund, they mail a cheque to your address on file. They do not send you to an external website to update banking details.
Common Examples
- Movers who provide a very low online quote but charge three to five times more on moving day
- Companies that demand full payment upfront, load your belongings, and disappear
- Movers who load your items, drive away, and refuse to deliver until you pay inflated fees
- Fake reviews and professional-looking websites with no physical address or business registration number
- Moving companies with no CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration) operating illegally
Red Flags
- Quote is significantly below all other companies: this is a warning sign, not a deal
- Company refuses to provide a binding written estimate before the move
- No physical business address, no BBB listing, no verifiable business registration
- Demands full cash or e-Transfer payment before the move begins
- Movers refuse to let you see the final invoice before they load your belongings
- No information about CVOR number or cargo insurance provided
Example Scam Message
"We quoted you $400 for your move based on the information provided. However, having assessed the actual volume of your belongings, the final cost is $2,800 due to additional labor and distance charges. Your belongings are secured in our truck and will be delivered to your new address upon receipt of the full payment. We accept cash or e-Transfer only." Get binding written quotes from at least three registered movers. Check every moving company on the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) before booking. Verify they have a CVOR number for any move crossing provincial lines.