Prevention and Awareness

This November, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reminds Canadians that fraud awareness is an 
essential part of financial literacy. The theme for Financial Literacy Month 2025 ‘’Let’s Talk Money’’ 
encourages open and honest conversations about money, including how to prevent fraud. Fraudsters 
target all age groups, from students and job seekers to seniors managing retirement income. Open 
family discussions about money and fraud can protect loved ones from falling victim. 

Fraudsters often use urgency, fear and emotional manipulation to pressure victims into making quick 
financial decisions. Talking about these tactics helps Canadians recognize the red flags before acting. 
Families are encouraged to share experiences, set money safety rules and verify any unexpected 
requests for funds before sending money. Financial literacy isn’t just about managing money; it’s about 
protecting it. 

How to Protect Yourself:

• Talk before acting. Verify large transfers, job offers, or investment opportunities with a trusted person
• Never pay unexpected fees or bills with cryptocurrency, gift cards or e-transfers
• Confirm requests for money using verified contact information
• Never provide personal information to a caller without verifying their identity after making the 
  outgoing communication via official channels (e.g. official phone number)
• Be cautious with links and attachments in text messages and emails
• Visit the CAFC website for more information on all types of fraud

This November, the CAFC wants to highlight the excellent work being done by the Canadian Anti-Scam 
Coalition which unites public, private, and law enforcement partners to strengthen Canada’s collective 
defence against fraud. Guided by the slogan “STOP, CHECK, TALK”, the coalition encourages Canadians 
to pause before acting, verify information, and talk to someone they trust when faced with suspicious 
requests. This message ties directly to FLM2025’s “Let’s Talk Money” theme which reminds everyone 
that protecting your money starts with a conversation. 
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should: 
• Report it to their local police 
• Report it on the new Report Cybercrime and Fraud website. If 
not a victim, you should still report the incident to the CAFC.
• Visit the CAFC’s What to do if you’re a victim page

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The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) continues to receive reports about employment frauds. Victims 
are being solicited with fraudulent job offers through text message, WhatsApp, email, Messenger, and 
social media ads. These job offers may use the names of real companies but are fake. Victims are tricked 
into making deposits or sending cryptocurrency and are unable to recover their money. 

Overall reported losses to employment fraud have skyrocketed in recent years. In 2022, Canadians 
reported $7.3 million in losses. This increased to $49 million in 2024. Unfortunately, the trend is 
continuing in 2025. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, victims have already reported $46.5 million in 
losses. These numbers show that job fraud is growing quickly, and fraudsters are targeting more 
Canadians than ever before.

***New Variation*** Web Surveys and Online or “E-Commerce” Store Jobs

Fraudsters offering fake work-from-home jobs that involve running online stores or completing web 
surveys. These offers often appear in social media ads, text messages or through messages on 
WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Messenger or TikTok. 
Victims are promised easy income, small commissions, and flexible work. At first, the tasks look simple, 
and the platform shows fake earnings to build trust. Victims may even receive a small initial payout. But 
soon, they are asked to make deposits to continue. 

Online Store Jobs: Victims are told to register for a fake online store or e-commerce platform. They are 
asked to “process orders”, “approve transactions” or “manage inventory”. They are promised 
commissions for every completed order. As victims continue, the system begins requesting larger 
deposits to “upgrade the account”, “fix order errors”, or “unlock higher commissions”. 

Web Survey Jobs: Victims are asked to complete paid online surveys. After completing a few simple 
surveys, the platform claims there are issues and asks for deposits to continue. Victims see a rising fake 
balance on the screen, but they are unable to withdraw any funds. They are pressured to finish more 
surveys and to pay to unlock the next level. 
Victims often realize it’s fraud only when the deposit amounts become too large or when the platform 
blocks withdrawals.

Boosting Products or “Online Tasks” Variation

Using the names of real companies in Canada, the fraudsters are offering victims freelance job 
opportunities to “boost” products, apps or videos using software created by the fraudsters. After the 
victim installs the software and creates an account, they receive “orders” or “tasks” they have to 
complete. Victims might receive a small payment or commission in order to convince them that the job 
is legitimate. Victims can earn higher commissions or “move up a level” by boosting more products or 
videos but need to pay fees to gain access to the additional work. 

Victims deposit their funds into crypto accounts or wallets. Victims may also be asked to recruit other 
victims to increase their earnings. Like crypto investment frauds, victims will see funds in their crypto 
account but will not have the ability to withdraw the funds they have deposited and earned.

Warning Signs

• A company uses a web-based email instead of an official business domain.
• You receive a job offer you did not apply for.
• You are asked to join a platform, download software, or complete simple tasks for fast money.
• The job requires upfront deposits, “upgrade fees,” or “unlock payments.”
• You see a balance on the website or app but cannot withdraw it.
• You are asked to recruit others.
• You are asked to receive or forward money through your bank account.
• The offer promises high pay for minimal work.

How to Protect Yourself

• Take time before responding to unknown job messages.
• Verify the company’s official website and call their official phone number.
• Never send deposits or pay fees for a job.
• Avoid downloading unknown software or apps.
• Do not share personal information or ID documents with unverified contacts.
• Be careful when sending cryptocurrency; in most cases, it cannot be reversed.

Anyone who suspects they have been the target of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local 
police. Also visit the Report Cybercrime and Fraud website to report online.

Download - English (pdf)                Download - French (pdf)

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is continuing to see an increase in reports of fraudsters 
impersonating the CAFC as part of fraud/bank investigator and recovery frauds.

Fraudsters may contact victims by phone, email or social media claiming to be from the CAFC or working 
with the CAFC as part of an ongoing investigation. They may use the CAFC's name, logo or fake 
documents to appear legitimate.

Fraud/Bank Investigator Fraud

Fraudsters may claim to be a fraud investigator from your bank, a major credit card provider or another 
well-known business. They may tell you there are unauthorized transactions on your account or that 
your banking information has been compromised.

To convince you the investigation is legitimate, they may claim they are working with the CAFC. Some 
fraudsters send fake letters or emails using the CAFC's logo and provide fraudulent contact information 
for victims to communicate with them.

They may ask you to:

• Provide your debit or credit card information.
• Transfer money to a "safe" account.
• Send money to assist with an investigation.
• Keep the investigation confidential.

These requests are fraudulent. Once money is sent, it is often difficult or impossible to recover.

Recovery Fraud

If you have previously lost money to fraud, you may be targeted again by someone claiming they can 
recover your funds.

Fraudsters may pretend to represent the CAFC, law enforcement or another government agency. They 
may claim they have located your money or are conducting an investigation and need your assistance to 
recover your funds.

To appear legitimate, they may send fake documents using the CAFC's logo or claim the CAFC is 
investigating your case.

They may ask you to pay:

• Administrative fees.
• Taxes or legal costs.
• Security deposits.
• Cryptocurrency or wire transfer fees.

If someone asks you to pay money to recover money you have already lost, it is a fraud.

Protect yourself

The CAFC and police will never:

• Ask you to transfer money or make a payment.
• Ask for remote access to your computer or device.
• Ask for your banking information, passwords or verification codes.
• Ask you to participate in an investigation by sending money.

If you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from your bank or the CAFC:

• Hang up the phone.
• Contact your financial institution using the phone number on the back of your debit or credit 
  card.
• Never use the phone number, email address or website provided by the caller.
• If you are unsure, contact the CAFC directly using the contact information available on the 
  official Government of Canada website.

If you believe you have been targeted by one of these frauds, contact your financial institution 
immediately and report the incident to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Download - English (pdf)                Download - French (pdf)

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is receiving reports of criminals pretending to be cellphone service providers. They may claim to work for a victim’s current provider and offer a discount, upgraded plan or new device. The threat actors may guide victims to log in to their real cellphone account while they remain on the phone. They may then ask for account details, security codes or other personal information.
In other cases, criminals may convince victims to open an account with a different service provider and obtain a new cellphone or tablet. They may ask victims to provide identification, such as a driver’s licence or Social Insurance Number (SIN), to complete the order. Once the device is delivered, the fraudster may claim that the wrong item was sent and instruct the victim to ship it to another address. The device and personal information may then be used to commit fraud or identity theft.

Warning signs

• You receive an unexpected call, text message or email offering a discount, upgraded plan or new device.
• The person pressures you to act quickly or says the offer is only available for a limited time.
• You are asked to log in to your cellphone account while the caller stays on the line.
• You are asked for your account password, security code, PIN or multi-factor authentication code.
• You are asked to provide a driver’s licence, Social Insurance Number or other identification.
• You are told to open an account with a different service provider.
• You receive a cellphone or tablet and are told to send it to an address provided by the caller.
• The return address is different from the verified address of the service provider.

How to protect yourself

• If someone contacts you claiming to be from your service provider, end the call and contact the company directly.
• Use the telephone number on your bill, account or the company’s official website.
• Do not use contact information provided by the caller.
• Never share passwords, PINs, security codes or multi-factor authentication codes.
• Do not provide personal or financial information during an unexpected call, text message or email.
• Do not log in to your account while an unknown caller is guiding you.
• Before opening a new account or accepting a device, confirm the offer directly with the service provider.
• If you receive a device you did not order, contact the service provider directly and confirm the correct return process.
• Never ship a cellphone or tablet to an address provided by an unknown caller.

If you believe you have been a target of fraud, contact your financial institution immediately and report the incident to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Download - English (pdf)                Download - French (pdf)