Scam Resources
See it to believe it.
Real news segments and official guidance from credible Canadian sources — so you know exactly what these scams look like before they happen to you or someone you love.
This page does two things. First, it tells you what to do — whether something feels wrong right now, or you’ve already been targeted. Second, it shows you what these scams actually look like, with real stories from real victims. Sometimes you need to see it to believe it — the exact words the scammer used, the exact trick they pulled. Sources include CBC, CTV, CP24, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the CRA, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and other credible Canadian institutions and legal organizations. No blogs, no opinion pieces — just credible journalism and official guidance.
What To Do — Before, During, and After a Scam
The resources below show you what these scams look like. This section tells you what to do about them — whether something feels wrong right now, whether you think you’ve already been targeted, or whether you want to know what never to do.
This is the single most important thing you can do. If something feels wrong — a call, a text, an email, someone at your door — before you do anything else, call a family member, a friend, or someone you trust and tell them what’s happening.
Criminals deliberately isolate their victims. They insist you keep it secret. They threaten you. They create urgency so you don’t have time to think. They make you feel that telling someone will make things worse. None of that is true — it’s a tactic designed to keep you from getting help.
And if something has already happened: please tell someone. Shame is one of the most powerful tools criminals use, because they know it keeps people quiet. There is nothing shameful about being targeted by a professional fraudster. The shame belongs entirely to them.
Things to never do when something feels wrong:
- Do not send money in any form — not gift cards, not Bitcoin ATMs, not wire transfers, not cash to a courier. No legitimate emergency, government agency, or tech company will ever ask for this.
- Do not call the number on a pop-up, text, or email — that number was put there specifically to connect you to the scammer.
- Do not click links or open attachments to test whether they’re real. Clicking is how infections happen.
- Do not download software because a pop-up told you to. Close the window — or if it won’t close, turn the computer off at the power button.
- Do not allow an unknown person to access your device remotely (remote access). Once they’re in, they can see and access everything on it.
- Do not forward suspicious messages to ask if they’re safe — leave them alone. You can describe what you saw to a family member, a trusted friend, or The Lady Tech during a session.
- Do not try to fix it yourself if you’re not sure what you’re doing. There is no shame in waiting — things are almost always easier to sort out when they haven’t been poked at first.
When in doubt, stop. Call someone you trust. Then call your bank if money is involved.
Please don’t be ashamed — these scams are professionally designed to fool intelligent, careful people. Here’s what to do:
- Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card — if money is still moving, they may be able to stop or reverse it. Most major banks have a 24-hour fraud line.
- Keep any gift cards and receipts if gift cards were used — contact the card issuer (Apple, Google, Amazon) as soon as possible.
- Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 (Mon–Fri, 10am–4:45pm ET) or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- Contact local police if significant money was lost — non-emergency: 416-808-2222 (landline) or *877 (mobile).
Once the immediate steps are done — a session with The Lady Tech can check your device for remote access tools and help secure things going forward. Call or text (647) 977-8706.
Fake Microsoft or Apple calls: It is almost certainly a scam. Tech companies do not make unsolicited calls, send pop-ups with phone numbers, or contact you by text or email about a virus. Hang up immediately.
Scary pop-up saying your computer is infected: Do not call the number on the screen. These pop-ups are almost always fake. Try closing the browser window. If it won’t close, turn the computer off at the power button.
Call from the CRA saying you owe money: Almost certainly a scam. The CRA will never threaten arrest, demand gift card payments, or send texts or emails with links. Hang up. If you’re genuinely concerned, call the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 — using the number you looked up yourself.
AI voice scam — someone who sounds like your grandchild or family member: AI voice cloning can copy a voice from as little as a few seconds of audio posted online. If you get a call like this, slow down. Hang up and call your family member directly using the number you already have saved. Agree on a family “code word” in advance. Read our full guide →
For real examples of each of these scams — including news video of victims describing exactly what happened — scroll down to the relevant section below.
AI Voice & Grandchild Scams
These scams use AI voice cloning to copy the voice of someone you love from as little as a few seconds of audio posted on social media. The cloned voice calls you in a fake emergency and asks for money. Here’s what it actually sounds like — and how people nearly fell for it.
CBC Marketplace · March 2025
CBC Marketplace investigates how AI is helping scammers. An Ontario senior describes the call she received — in what sounded exactly like her grandson’s voice — asking for $9,000 to get him out of jail. According to the CAFC’s 2024 Annual Statistical Report, Canadians lost $5 million to emergency and grandparent scams that year — involving 546 victims.
CTV News Toronto · March 2026
AI scams surge in Toronto over past 6 months: police
Toronto Police Service’s financial crimes unit warns that AI-powered scams have surged dramatically — making fraud increasingly difficult to detect. A direct warning from the local investigators who are seeing this firsthand.
CP24 · Consumer Alert · June 15, 2026
Parent falls for AI fraud and loses $6,000
Pat Foran reports on a man who was defrauded after receiving a call from someone who sounded exactly like his son — because the voice had been cloned using AI. A clear, local example of how this scam works in practice.
CBC News · September 2024
Voice changing AI making grandparent scam calls more realistic
Police and fraud experts explain how the technology works and why victims are being convinced faster than ever. Two men in Lethbridge were charged in connection with a case.
CBC News · December 2025
‘That was my granddaughter’s voice’: Regina senior suspects AI in scam call
A 79-year-old woman describes receiving a call from a voice indistinguishable from her granddaughter’s. “I will swear to my dying death that it was her voice, her mannerisms, her little ups and downs.”
CBC News · May 2025
‘Definitely my son’s voice’: Manitoba woman targeted by AI phone scam
A mother of three describes the call, and a certified fraud examiner explains the highly targeted spear phishing tactics that make AI voice scams so convincing.
The Bank Investigator Scam
A caller spoofs your bank’s actual phone number so it appears legitimate on call display. They claim to be a fraud investigator and say your account has been compromised — or that you’ve been selected to help with a secret national investigation into money laundering. They tell you to withdraw cash, hand over your bank card and PIN to a courier, or transfer funds to a “safe” account. The secrecy demand is always there: don’t tell anyone, or you’ll compromise the investigation. By mid-2024, Canadians had already reported more than $11.7 million in losses to this scam — close to double the losses from the same period the year before. It is overwhelmingly targeting seniors.
CBC Go Public · October 2025
89-year-old scammed out of $1.7M in life savings — blames RBC and CIBC for not protecting him
One of the largest bank investigator scams ever reported in Canada. A Victoria man lost his entire $1.7 million life savings over six months — handing cash and gold bars to couriers while believing he was secretly assisting a national fraud investigation. Two major banks watched it happen.
CBC News · July 2025
RBC tells customer she’s responsible for $14K stolen in bank investigator scam
A woman received what appeared to be a legitimate fraud alert call from RBC — because the scammer spoofed RBC’s real number. She lost $14,510 and RBC initially told her she was responsible. A Quebec consumer advocacy organization was helping 14 senior victims of the same scam fight for reimbursement.
CBC News · May 2025
North Vancouver RCMP warn of spike in fraud targeting seniors
A senior was told her bank cards needed to be “checked” for compromised chips — and handed them over to someone who came to her door claiming to be from her bank. RCMP confirm: your bank will never send someone to your home to collect your card.
CTV News · September 2024
Calls for more protections for Canadian bank clients amid rise in scams
As bank investigator scam losses climbed sharply through 2024, consumer advocates called on Canadian banks to do more to protect seniors — and explained why Canada lags behind other countries in bank fraud protections.
Remember: Your bank will never call and ask you to withdraw cash, hand over your card to a courier, or transfer money to a “safe” account. They will never ask you to keep the call secret. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the number on the back of your bank card — not the number the caller gives you.
Fake Microsoft & Apple: Tech Support Scams
These scams start with a scary pop-up, an email, or a phone call claiming your computer has been hacked or infected. They want you to call a number or give them remote access to your device. Once they’re in, they can steal everything.
CBC Marketplace · October 2019
How we got inside an overseas tech support scam targeting Canadians
Marketplace went inside a call centre in Mumbai. A former scammer describes the exact tactics used on victims: “My pitch used to start with $200 — it’s a scare tactic.”
Official · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Tech Support Scams
Search “tech support” at the CAFC website for current examples and reporting tools. Phone: 1-888-495-8501 (Mon–Fri, 10am–4:45pm ET).
The rule: Microsoft, Apple, Google, and other tech companies will never call you out of the blue, send a pop-up with a phone number, or contact you by text or email to say your computer has a virus. If you receive any of these — hang up, close the window, or delete the message. Do not call the number on the screen. If you can’t close a pop-up, it is safe to turn the computer off at the power button.
Fake CRA & Government Impersonation Scams
These scams impersonate the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, or other government bodies. They threaten arrest, demand immediate payment, or promise refunds that don’t exist.
Official · Canada Revenue Agency · May 2026
CRA warns of surge in fake tax refund texts
The CRA issued a warning about a surge in fake tax refund text messages telling Canadians to click a link immediately or lose their refund. Includes what the messages look like and exactly how to spot them. This page is updated regularly as new scam methods emerge.
CBC Fifth Estate · October 2024
Tens of thousands of taxpayer accounts hacked as CRA paid out millions in bogus refunds
An in-depth investigation into how scammers exploited gaps in CRA systems to file false returns and steal millions. Important context for why protecting your CRA account matters.
CBC News · PEI · February 2016
CRA scam calls and emails: what they sound like
A CBC reporter records a live call with a scammer pretending to be the CRA. The scare tactics — threats of arrest, demands for immediate payment — are the same ones used today. An older piece, but the script hasn’t changed.
Social Insurance Number & Government Benefits Scams
Scammers target seniors’ Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) to redirect CPP, OAS, and other government retirement benefits into their own accounts. They may call pretending to be Service Canada, CRA, or another government agency — claiming your SIN has been “compromised,” “suspended,” or “linked to criminal activity.” Reports of SIN scams increased sharply in Canada in early 2024 and have remained high. Your SIN is one of the most valuable pieces of information a scammer can get from you.
Official · Canada Revenue Agency
CRA: Recognize a Scam — Government Benefits & SIN Fraud
The CRA documents active scams impersonating government agencies to steal SINs and redirect senior benefits — including a current scam claiming the CRA is sending extra payments to low-income seniors via Telegram or WhatsApp. The CRA will never contact you through messaging apps.
Official · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Report SIN or Benefit Fraud
If you believe your SIN has been stolen or your government benefits redirected, report immediately to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 and contact Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627 to report the stolen SIN.
Protect your SIN: Never share your SIN over the phone, by email, or through a messaging app with anyone who contacts you unsolicited. Government agencies will not call to tell you your SIN has been “suspended” — that is always a scam. If you’re worried about your CPP or OAS account, call Service Canada directly at 1-800-277-9914.
Romance Scams
Romance scams involve a fraudster building a fake online relationship over weeks or months — gaining someone’s trust and affection — before asking for money. In 2024, Canadians reported $58 million in losses to romance scams, up from $22.5 million in 2018. In 2025, that figure rose again to $63 million. Seniors are among those who lose the most money when targeted. These are not crimes of poor judgment — they are highly organized, deliberate frauds that exploit emotion and loneliness. The shame belongs entirely to the criminals.
CBC News · February 2025
Red flags for romance scams that Ontario police want you to know about
Ontario Provincial Police explain the exact patterns scammers use — exotic job stories (oil rig, military, international doctor), fast emotional escalation, and the inevitable money request. AI is now used to fake voices and photos. Includes the key warning signs to watch for.
CBC News · February 2026
‘Completely fake identity’: Mississauga man and woman arrested for $250K romance scam
Toronto police arrested two people who used fake identities on dating apps to target victims across Canada and the U.S. Police statement: “Romance scams are not about poor judgment. They are highly organized, deliberate frauds that rely on social engineering and play on emotion.”
CBC News · April 2026
N.S. widow warns others after losing $130K in relationship scam
A 74-year-old Nova Scotia woman lost her life savings to a scammer who approached her through a Facebook comment. The CAFC confirms social media has dramatically increased the volume of romance fraud. A scammer also reveals on camera how he tricks victims.
CBC News · August 2025
Calgary woman lost over $300K to romance scam over five years
A 63-year-old woman transferred more than $300,000 over five years to a man she believed loved her — selling her house in the process. A detailed account of how these scams build slowly and why victims often don’t recognize what’s happening until it’s too late.
Official · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Romance Scams
Search “romance fraud” at the CAFC website for current red flags, reporting tools, and victim resources. Phone: 1-888-495-8501 (Mon–Fri, 10am–4:45pm ET).
CTV News · March 2026
Family says B.C. woman jailed in South Korea was romance scam victim
A warning about how romance scams can escalate into victims unknowingly becoming couriers of illegal goods — believing they are helping someone they love.
Elder Financial Abuse & Power of Attorney Scams
This is one of the most underreported and most painful scams of all — because the person doing harm is often someone the senior knows and trusts. Elder financial abuse happens when someone uses their position of trust to take money, property, or control over finances from a senior without their genuine, informed consent. It can be a stranger, a caregiver, or a family member. Research consistently shows that a significant proportion of elder financial abuse is committed by people known to the victim — including family members such as adult children. A Power of Attorney (POA) — a legal document meant to protect a senior by allowing a trusted person to make financial decisions on their behalf — can be misused to drain bank accounts, transfer property, or change wills. The shame and family loyalty that keep victims silent are what abusers count on. If something feels wrong, it is always okay to ask for help.
CBC News · March 2020
A CBC investigation into how a person granted power of attorney withdrew large sums from a 97-year-old woman’s account while she had dementia. The banks were asked how this was permitted. The victim’s family describes the devastation — and the lack of consequences for the perpetrator. A difficult but important read for anyone arranging a power of attorney.
Official · Government of Canada
Government of Canada: What every older Canadian should know about financial abuse
The federal government’s plain-language guide to elder financial abuse — what it looks like, who typically does it, and what to do. Explains clearly that misusing a power of attorney is theft, and outlines what a legitimate attorney is required to do under the law.
Official · Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario: Financial Abuse of Seniors
Documents the red flags of financial abuse — sudden unexplained withdrawals, unpaid bills despite sufficient income, sudden changes in wills or property titles, increased isolation. Includes guidance on how to choose a power of attorney carefully and what to do if you suspect abuse is happening.
Official · Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (Ontario)
ACE: Legal tools for seniors experiencing financial abuse
Ontario’s legal aid clinic for low-income seniors explains the legal options available — including revoking a power of attorney, guardianship investigations, and civil actions for recovery of property. Free legal information in plain language.
Warning signs to watch for in a parent or loved one: Unexplained withdrawals or missing money. Unpaid bills despite having income. Sudden changes to wills, property titles, or bank accounts. A new “friend” or caregiver who seems to be controlling access to the senior. Anxiety or fear when discussing money. The senior is being pressured to sign documents they don’t understand. If you see these signs — speak privately and without judgment. Contact the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly at 416-598-2656 or your local legal aid clinic for guidance.
Fake Facebook Ads: Crypto & Investment Scams
These scams run as paid Facebook ads featuring fake endorsements from the Prime Minister, other politicians, or celebrities like Kevin O’Leary and Elon Musk. Clicking the ad takes you to a cloned CBC or CTV news website with a fake article promoting a “zero risk” cryptocurrency investment. It looks completely real — because it’s designed to. Canadians lost over $388 million to cryptocurrency scams between January 2024 and September 2025 alone, and experts believe only 5 to 10 per cent of victims ever report it.
CBC News · March 2025
Fake election news ads are luring people into investment schemes
CBC’s visual investigations unit documents how fake Facebook ads — featuring AI deepfakes of CBC journalist Rosemary Barton, Elon Musk, and Prime Minister Mark Carney — promoted fraudulent crypto investment platforms. According to CBC, the deepfaked PM told viewers: “All you need is to invest $350 and start making profit from the first month.” After CBC contacted Meta, the accounts were disabled — but near-identical versions reappeared within hours.
CBC News · March 2025
Call-centre crypto scammers unmasked as data leak exposes their schemes
An in-depth investigation into the overseas call centres behind Canadian crypto scams. Fake news articles copy the look of CBC and CTV websites, featuring photos of the Prime Minister and other prominent Canadians. A factory foreman from Ontario lost his life savings. Journalists tracked down the scammer responsible.
CBC News · March 2024
This article is real — but AI-generated deepfakes look damn close and are scamming people
Famous Canadians including the Prime Minister and Kevin O’Leary have their names and images used in AI-generated Facebook ads linking to fake investment articles. Experts explain why the technology is outpacing the legal system’s ability to respond — and why the ads are deliberately designed to fool people who are not digitally literate.
CBC News · December 2025
Sask. retiree warns others after losing $3K to crypto fraud using AI video of prime minister
A Saskatchewan retiree describes how a fake CBC news segment — featuring an AI deepfake of Prime Minister Mark Carney — cost him $2,800. The investment company was flagged by the Manitoba Securities Commission. The victim explains why, despite his doubts, there was “always just enough reassurance to keep going.”
Official · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Investment Fraud
Search “investment fraud” or “crypto scam” at the CAFC website for current alerts and reporting tools. Phone: 1-888-495-8501 (Mon–Fri, 10am–4:45pm ET).
Fake Online Stores: Clothing & Shopping Scams
Fake online stores advertise heavily on Facebook and Instagram, often selling clothing, shoes, handbags, and household items at prices that seem too good to be true — because they are. You pay, and either nothing arrives, a cheap imitation shows up, or your credit card details are stolen. Some fake stores impersonate real Canadian brands or retailers. Visa identified a 284 per cent increase in fake and spoofed merchant websites in the four months leading up to the 2024 holiday season.
CBC News · March 2024
Fake websites for real companies are scamming Canadian consumers and businesses
Anti-fraud professionals warn Canadians about fake listings on search engines and social media that redirect to fraudulent versions of familiar companies and brands — including a fake Stetson Hats Canada website that looked completely legitimate. Explains exactly how these fake storefronts work and what to look for.
Official · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Online Shopping Fraud
Search “online shopping” at the CAFC website for current examples and red flags. Key warning signs: prices far below retail, no Canadian address or phone number, payment by e-transfer only, no clear return policy. Phone: 1-888-495-8501.
Before you buy from a Facebook or Instagram ad: Search the store name plus the word “scam” or “review” before entering any payment information. Check for a Canadian address and phone number. If payment is by e-transfer only — stop. Use a credit card where possible, not a debit card, so you have recourse if the purchase never arrives.
Fake Roofer & Contractor Scams
These scammers knock on your door claiming they noticed damage to your roof while working in the neighbourhood. They get on your roof, show you fake photos of “damage,” sometimes remove real shingles to create damage, then demand thousands in cash. This is happening right now across Toronto and Ontario.
CTV News Toronto · April 2026
Toronto police identify elaborate roofing scam involving fake Interpol officer
Toronto police warn of an escalated version of the scam — after the initial fraud, scammers send in a fake “Interpol investigator” to squeeze more money out of victims.
CTV News Toronto / CP24 · October 2024
‘They are just ruthless’: Toronto senior loses $27,000 to roofing scam
A Scarborough senior describes exactly how it happened — including being shown what she believes were fake photos of her roof, and having shingles removed to make the “damage” look real. The specific tactics you need to know about.
CTV News · January 2026
Ontario senior warns of roofing scam that almost cost her $34,000
A recent Ontario case with CTV consumer reporter Pat Foran explaining the warning signs in detail.
CP24 · September 2025
Home repair scam costs Scarborough man $40K
Scammers dumped rubble beside the house to make it look like chimney work was underway, then claimed the roof needed $26,000 in repairs — threatening to report the home to the city if the owner refused.
CBC News · August 2024
Hamilton police arrest 2 U.K. men in roofing fraud targeting seniors
Two men who arrived in Canada specifically to run roofing scams targeting seniors were arrested after approaching a homeowner with a fake company name and high-pressure cash demands.
HVAC, Door-to-Door & High-Interest Mortgage Scams
These scams are connected and often happen in sequence. It starts with someone at your door or on the phone offering to inspect, upgrade, or replace your furnace, air conditioner, or water heater (HVAC). The contract is overpriced, confusing, and difficult to cancel. In some cases, a lien is secretly registered against your home. Later, someone approaches offering to “consolidate” your HVAC debt — and tricks you into signing a high-interest mortgage you didn’t understand, using your home as collateral. Ontario has passed laws to address this, but scammers have adapted.
CBC Marketplace · February 2025
HVAC scams are still happening. Why is the government failing to act?
Despite Ontario’s 2018 ban on door-to-door HVAC sales and the 2024 ban on NOSIs, scammers have simply moved to the phone. CBC Marketplace documents how companies with contracts worth $1.5 million continue to pressure consumers — and how Consumer Protection Ontario has struggled to act.
CBC Marketplace · March 2023
‘Elaborate scam’ leaves seniors with high-interest mortgages they didn’t want or understand
Seniors previously duped into HVAC contracts were approached again by people offering to “consolidate” their debt. In reality, their homes were used as collateral and they were tricked into signing mortgage papers with interest rates as high as 25 per cent. The Advocacy Centre for the Elderly’s executive director: “These homeowners are at risk of homelessness and the loss of their life savings.”
Official · Government of Ontario
Ontario: Your Rights — Door-to-Door Sales and Home Service Contracts
Official Ontario government page explaining the 2018 ban on unsolicited door-to-door sales of furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, and related appliances — and the 2024 Homeowner Protection Act banning NOSIs. Includes your 10-day cooling-off period rights and how to cancel a contract.
Official · Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (Ontario)
ACE: Warning — Scams Targeting Seniors
Ontario’s legal aid clinic for low-income seniors documents the HVAC-to-mortgage pipeline in detail — including how NOSIs were being secretly registered against home titles and what seniors can do if they’ve been affected.
Know your rights in Ontario: Unsolicited door-to-door HVAC sales (furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, and related equipment) are illegal in Ontario since March 2018. If a salesperson shows up unannounced offering these products, you can close the door. If you’ve already signed a contract, you have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel without penalty. If someone suggests consolidating your HVAC debt — stop, and speak to a lawyer before signing anything.
Title Fraud & Home Title Theft
Title fraud is one of the most alarming scams targeting homeowners — particularly seniors with no mortgage, since their homes are fully paid off and therefore attractive targets. Fraudsters steal your identity, forge documents, and either sell your home or take out a mortgage against it without your knowledge. You may not find out until you try to sell your home — and discover someone else already has. Organized crime groups in the GTA have done this to at least 30 homes. Seniors who rent their properties to tenants are particularly at risk, as fraudsters gain access through property managers.
CBC News · January 2023
How organized crime has mortgaged or sold at least 30 GTA homes without owners’ knowledge
A CBC Toronto investigation reveals a handful of organized crime groups using stolen IDs and hired stand-ins to impersonate homeowners — selling or mortgaging their properties and disappearing with the money. The frauds are costing title insurance companies millions in claims, and the real owners often don’t find out until it’s too late.
CBC News · January 2023
How to protect yourself from real-estate title fraud
Victims of title fraud lose the right to sell, mortgage, or leverage their home’s equity until they restore their title through the courts — a process that takes considerable time and money. A Toronto civil litigation lawyer explains why seniors are among the highest-risk groups, and what homeowners can do to protect themselves.
Official · Government of Canada
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Real Estate Fraud
The federal government’s official guide to title fraud, mortgage fraud, and foreclosure fraud — what they are, how they happen, and how to protect yourself. Includes guidance on title insurance, which can protect homeowners if fraud occurs.
What you can do: Consider purchasing title insurance if you don’t already have it — it protects you if title fraud occurs. Regularly check your property’s title through your provincial land registry. Never share your SIN, passport, or driver’s licence with someone who contacts you unsolicited. If you receive any unexpected documents related to your property, contact a real estate lawyer immediately.
Lottery & Prize Scams
You receive a call, letter, text, or email saying you’ve won a lottery, sweepstakes, or prize — often a large cash sum and a luxury vehicle. To claim it, you must first pay taxes, administration fees, or processing charges. The fees keep growing. The prize never arrives. This scam has been running for decades and remains one of the most common frauds targeting Canadian seniors. The key fact every Canadian should know: if you win a legitimate prize in Canada, there are no upfront fees or taxes to pay — ever.
Official · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Prize Fraud
The CAFC documents the most common prize fraud variations targeting Canadians — including fake Reader’s Digest and Publisher’s Clearing House calls specifically targeting seniors — along with reporting tools and red flags. Key rule: you cannot win a lottery you didn’t enter, and there are never upfront fees to claim a Canadian prize.
The rule in Canada: Legitimate prizes never require upfront payment of any kind. No taxes. No fees. No processing charges. If you are asked to pay anything to claim a prize — it is a scam. You also cannot win a foreign lottery without having purchased a ticket in that country.
Trusted Canadian Journalists to Follow
These journalists investigate scams, expose fraudsters, and hold corporations and governments to account. All of their reporting is free to read.
CTV News Toronto
Pat Foran — Consumer Alert, CTV News Toronto
CTV News Toronto’s consumer advocate for over three decades. His Consumer Alert segments cover scams, unsafe products, and consumer rights issues across Ontario — if something is circulating in the GTA, he’s likely already reported on it. Order of Ontario recipient, 2024. To submit a tip: alert@ctv.ca
CBC News — Go Public
Erica Johnson & Rosa Marchitelli — Go Public, CBC News
CBC’s investigative consumer segment — they investigate wrongdoing by companies and governments and get results. If you’ve been scammed and want it looked into, contact the team directly at gopublic@cbc.ca
CBC — Marketplace
CBC Marketplace — Canada’s consumer investigative program
Canada’s longest-running consumer investigative program. The tech support call centre investigation and the HVAC mortgage scandal both came from Marketplace. Full segments are available free online at the link above.
CBC News — Visual Investigations
CBC News Visual Investigations — Deepfakes, AI scams, and disinformation
Specializes in tracking AI-generated disinformation — including the deepfake Prime Minister crypto ads and fake CBC news articles used to defraud Canadians. If you see a suspicious ad or fake news article, contact: torontotips@cbc.ca
Tip: If you or someone you know has been scammed and want it investigated — reach out to any of these teams directly. They have the resources and reach that individuals don’t.
Good News: Canada Is Fighting Back
The numbers are alarming — but Canada is responding. Here’s what’s happening on the other side of this.
Government of Canada · October 2025
Canada announces its first-ever National Anti-Fraud Strategy and a new Financial Crimes Agency
In October 2025, the federal government announced Canada’s first whole-of-government anti-fraud strategy — and a proposed new Financial Crimes Agency with the expertise to investigate money laundering, online fraud, and financial scams, and recover criminals’ proceeds. The legislation (Bill C-29) was tabled in the House of Commons on April 27, 2026, and is working its way through Parliament.
Government of Canada · March 2026
National Anti-Fraud Strategy consultations launched — Canadians invited to participate
In March 2026, formal public consultations on the National Anti-Fraud Strategy were launched — Canadians can contribute directly to shaping the country’s response to fraud.
Government of Ontario · 2018 & 2024
Ontario leads with two landmark consumer protection laws for seniors
Ontario banned unsolicited door-to-door HVAC sales in 2018 — and in June 2024 passed the Homeowner Protection Act, banning NOSIs (liens secretly registered against seniors’ home titles).
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre · 2025–2026
Arrests, charges, and convictions — scammers are being caught
In early 2026: a scammer who targeted Nova Scotia seniors received 15 months of house arrest. Two teenagers were arrested for targeting seniors in Montreal and Sherbrooke. Toronto police have been actively charging individuals in roofing, grandparent, and bank investigator scam cases. Reporting to the CAFC directly contributes to these investigations — every report matters.
Nationwide · Every March
Fraud Prevention Month — 80+ organizations fighting together every year
Every March, over 80 Canadian organizations — including the RCMP, Competition Bureau, CAFC, banks, and police services — run coordinated campaigns to help Canadians recognize, reject, and report fraud.
The most powerful thing you can do: report it.
Only 5 to 10 per cent of fraud is ever reported — which means scammers stay in business longer and target more people. Every report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre helps build cases, identify patterns, and bring charges. Whether you lost money or just received a suspicious call, reporting it matters. 1-888-495-8501 · antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
General Fraud Resources
🇨🇦 Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canada’s central agency for fraud reporting and awareness. Report a scam, find current fraud alerts, and access prevention resources.
antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Monday–Friday, 10am–4:45pm Eastern
CRA: Recognize a Scam (Official CRA Page)
Current examples of scam calls, texts, and emails impersonating the CRA, updated regularly.
canada.ca — CRA Scams
Ontario Government: Identify a Scam or Fraud
Province-specific guidance on common scams, red flags, and what to do if you’ve been targeted.
ontario.ca/page/identify-scam-or-fraud
⚠ Disclaimer
The links on this page lead to third-party content that The Lady Tech does not own, control, or verify for ongoing accuracy. Links may become inactive over time — if a link no longer works, search the headline directly in Google. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, financial, or cybersecurity advice. The Lady Tech assumes no liability for losses arising from fraud or cybercrime. If you believe you have been targeted, contact your bank, local police, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Phone numbers and guidance on this page are provided for general reference and may change — always verify contact information directly with the relevant agency before acting on it. Last reviewed: June 15, 2026.
Think something got onto your device? Want to get your security set up before something happens? I help with the before and the after — not the during.
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