Online Shopping
You find a website selling designer sneakers at 90% off. The checkout page asks for your credit card and Social Security Number.
Scam - Legitimate websites don’t ask for Social Security Numbers. The deal is too good to be true.
An email from your bank says there’s unusual activity on your account and asks you to verify your account by clicking a link.
Scam – Banks never ask for sensitive information via links in emails.
A caller claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says you owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid arrest.
Scam – The CRA does not threaten arrest over the phone.
A stranger messages you offering to send $500 if you cash a check for them.
Scam – This is a common check-cashing fraud scheme.
A cashier at a local store asks for your phone number to sign you up for the store’s rewards program.
Not a Scam – Stores often request phone numbers for rewards programs.
You receive an email confirming an order you didn’t place, with a link to cancel it. The link takes you to a login page asking for your credentials.
Scam – Fake "order confirmation" emails are phishing attempts to steal credentials.
You receive a text message from your mobile carrier saying your bill is due. The message contains a link to their official website.
Not a Scam – As long as the link leads to the official website, this is legitimate.
Your bank calls to verify suspicious transactions and asks you to confirm your recent purchases.
Not a Scam – Banks may call to verify suspicious transactions, but you should confirm the call’s legitimacy by calling back using the official bank number.
You win a contest from a brand you follow and are asked to share your address for prize delivery.
Not a Scam – If the contest is legitimate, sharing your address for prize delivery is fine.
You receive a bill in the mail from a utility company you don’t use, asking for immediate payment to avoid service interruption.
Scam – Bills from unknown companies are a common identity theft tactic.
You buy a product on a well-known retailer’s official app and receive tracking information shortly after.
Not a Scam – Ordering through an official app with tracking info is safe.
A message claims you’re eligible for a government grant but requires you to send your bank account information for direct deposit.
Scam – Government grants don’t require you to provide personal banking info upfront.
A call from an unknown number informs you that your Social Insurance Number has been suspended due to fraud and asks you to press 1 to resolve the issue.
Scam – SIN numbers are not "suspended"; this is a scare tactic.
A friend’s account posts a giveaway link, but when you click, it asks for your email and phone number.
Scam – Friends' accounts are often hacked to post phishing links.
At a coffee shop, you use free public Wi-Fi to check your bank account balance on an app.
Scam – Public Wi-Fi is not secure for sensitive activities like banking.
A pop-up ad claims you’ve won a $500 gift card from a major retailer and asks for your name, address, and credit card details to claim it.
Scam – Pop-up ads offering gift cards often aim to steal your personal information.
An email claims you’ve inherited a fortune from a distant relative and asks for your personal details to process the claim.
Scam – Inheritance scams often lure victims by asking for personal information.
You receive a robocall offering a free vacation if you provide your credit card details to cover "small fees."
Scam – Free vacation offers requesting payment details are a classic scam.
A direct message claims someone is trying to hack your account and includes a link to secure your profile.
Scam – Links in unsolicited messages often lead to phishing sites.
A maintenance worker visits your home unannounced, claiming to be sent by your landlord but doesn’t have proper identification.
Scam – Always verify maintenance workers’ credentials before allowing access.
After entering your card details on an unfamiliar site, your bank texts you to verify a purchase you didn’t make.
Scam – Entering card details on suspicious sites often leads to unauthorized charges.
You get an email from a coworker asking for your Social Insurance Number to update HR records, but the email address looks slightly different than usual.
Scam – A slightly altered email address is a red flag for phishing.
A legitimate-looking phone call from your credit card provider offers you a 0% interest rate but asks for your full card number to apply.
Scam – No legitimate company will ask for your full card number over the phone.
You’re tagged in a post about free airline tickets, but when you click the link, it asks for personal information to claim your "reward."
Scam – Fake giveaways often steal personal information through deceptive forms.
A stranger at an ATM offers to "help" you with your transaction because the machine appears to be malfunctioning.
Scam – Strangers offering help at ATMs might be attempting to steal your PIN or card.