Canada Fraud & Scam Statistics

According to the Global State of Scam report, the number of online frauds and scams reported in Canada has grown exponentially from 36,000 in 2019 to over 104,295 in 2022. The amount of money lost to online scams continues to grow with $ 295 million reportedly lost in 2022. It's not all doom and gloom as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) was able to recover CA$ 3.35 million last year.

Keep on reading to learn about key scam trends in Canada, how to report scams, and how to get help for scams in Canada.

Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/373936/canada-online-penetration/

Where Can I Report a Scam in Canada?

If you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect fraud either through a message or call, be sure to report it as soon as possible to the appropriate authorities.

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC): The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is the central agency in Canada that collects information and intelligence on fraud and scams. It is jointly operated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), You can always reach out to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll-free number 1-888-495-8501 or through their fraud and cybercrime reporting system.
• Contact your local police: If you believe that you have been a victim of a scam, you can also report it to your local police department. They may be able to investigate the matter and help you recover any lost funds.
• Canada Competition Bureau: You can also report any deceptive marketing practices to the Competition Bureau using their online complaint form.
• Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA): This is an umbrella organization that coordinates and harmonizes the regulation of securities markets across Canada. It also investigates and takes action against fraudulent activities in the securities market.
• Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): The CRTC deals with issues related to unsolicited telecommunications, including spam and telemarketing fraud.

How to Report a Scam in Canada

1. Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report. 
2. Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference. In Canada you can also use the CAFC Fraud Reporting System or call toll-free at 1-888-495-8501
3. Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as MoneyGram, Western Union, Paypal, your bank or a credit union, the credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
4. Protect yourself: Contact both of Canada’s national credit bureaus—Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada—to order a free credit report immediately and ask that a fraud alert be put on your file. 

How to Check for a Scam in Canada

Of course, you can always check for a scam on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services:

• The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA): The CSA offers a handy search engine to checkif a financial company is registered. s an umbrella organization of the 13 provincial and territorial securities regulators in Canada. The CSA is responsible for developing, coordinating, and harmonizing securities regulations across Canada. They are perfect for checking investment scams. One of the CSA's primary goals is to protect investors from fraudulent and deceptive activities in the securities markets. Overall, the CSA's approach to preventing scams is multi-faceted and involves a combination of education, enforcement, regulatory oversight, and collaboration.
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce: This Chamber of Commerce can be used to see if a company is actually registered in Canada and find relevant information on business-related scams
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): This is a non-profit organization that helps consumers find businesses they can trust. It also collects and reports complaints against businesses and promotes ethical business practices.

How to check an employment scam?

Many people are being scammed by thinking they can easily migrate to Canada. It is actually very difficult to move to Canada and get work. Still, scammers know that job seekers are likely to be desperate and will try to sound as convincing as possible.

In most common employment scams in Canada, scammers will offer you a job offer and ask you to send a fee before your account details can be processed. The Edmonton Police Service received close to 150 cases in 2022 totaling losses of $359,831. 

Scam Victim Support in Canada

• The Central Alberta Victim & Witness Support Society offers free and confidential support services to victims of fraud. You can reach out to them at 403-885-3355 or through admin@victimsupport.ca. You can also contact the CSC Victim Services through their email victims-victimes@csc-scc.gc.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-806-2275.
• Consumer Affairs: This is a division of the Canadian government that provides information and resources to consumers on various topics, including scams and frauds.

Other Canadian Organizations Fighting Scams

Fraud Prevention Forum: This is a partnership between private sector organizations and the government that works to raise awareness about frauds and scams and provides resources to help Canadians protect themselves.

Scam News From Canada

• 4 top scams currently making the rounds—and how to avoid them
• In Canada, complex fraud schemes are targeting homeowners

Image source: Pexels.com