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March 3, 2025

We’ve all been there. A text from the “CRA” or our “bank” letting us know about a refund. An email from a “colleague”, in trouble and asking for help. A deal on a website or social media platform that’s just too incredible to believe but also too enticing not to explore.

March is Fraud Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about fraud and cyber threats, and to equip Canadians with the tools to stay safe. Fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics, making it more important than ever for each of us to recognize, reject, and report suspicious activity.

Staying Ahead of Evolving Fraud Tactics

Fraudsters use many different techniques to deceive people, often posing as trusted organizations to trick individuals into sharing personal or financial information. Fraudsters can be very good at fooling us, which is why a collective effort is required. The first step is recognizing what is happening.

Some of the most common scams include:

• Impersonation Scams – Fraudsters pretend to be a legitimate organization—such as a government agency or financial institution—to request sensitive information or payments.
• Fake Urgency Scams – Scammers use high-pressure tactics, claiming you owe money, have won a prize, or need to act quickly to avoid legal trouble.
• Phishing Attempts – Fraudulent messages (via email, text, or phone) encourage recipients to click malicious links or provide confidential details.
• New and Emerging AI Scams – Advances in artificial intelligence now allow fraudsters to generate highly convincing fake messages, voices, and even videos.

Let’s Fight Fraud Together

Once we know what we are dealing with, the next step is rejecting the attempt. Here are some key ways to protect yourself:

• Be Cautious with Unsolicited Messages – If you receive an unexpected request for personal information, take a moment to verify its legitimacy before responding. If you are unsure, use a trusted telephone number or email and double-check.
• Think Before You Click – Avoid clicking on links in suspicious emails or text messages. When in doubt, visit the official website of the organization instead.
• Use Security Features from Your Provider – Many telecom providers offer call screening, spam filters, and scam alerts to help protect customers. Other organizations that you deal with may also offer a variety of notifications or alerts as well.
• Use trusted sources – You should only download apps, games and other software from verified and trusted sources. You should also only ever use trusted wi-fi connections!

Report Suspicious Activity

It’s happened. The message is in your text messages and you know something isn’t right. So, the next step is reporting the fraud.

If you receive a suspected scam message or call, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. This does two things: it allows them to track what’s happening and understand what new types of fraud are prevalent, and it also helps warn others.

If you’ve provided payment information, contact your financial institution to alert them of potential fraud and discuss any necessary account protections. If you suspect your mobile device, SIM card or account have been compromised, contact your telecom provider immediately.

Being caught up in a fraud attempt may feel embarrassing but you need to remember that it is a crime.

Telecom Providers – Committed to Consumer Protection Year-Round

While Fraud Prevention Month provides an important platform for raising awareness, Canada’s telecom industry works year-round to strengthen fraud prevention.

As fraud threats become more sophisticated, Canada’s telecom providers are actively working to help protect consumers, investing in technologies that help detect and block scams, collaborating with law enforcement, and providing tools to help customers stay informed.

These efforts include:

• Blocking and Filtering Fraudulent Communications – Advanced technology helps identify and prevent scam messages from reaching consumers.
• Caller ID Authentication (STIR/SHAKEN) – This system helps reduce impersonation scams by verifying whether a caller is legitimate.
• Public Awareness and Alerts – Providers share fraud prevention tips and warn customers about emerging scams.
• Collaboration with Law Enforcement – Telecom companies work closely with government agencies and fraud prevention organizations to track and shut down fraud networks.

These measures, combined with activities undertaken by each of us, make it more difficult for fraudsters to succeed.

By staying alert, informed, and proactive, we can reduce the impact of fraud and create a more secure digital environment for everyone.

For more fraud prevention resources, visit our anti-fraud page here.