Learn About Common Scams
Knowledge is your best protection. These guides explain common scams in simple language.
💌 Romance Scams: How They Work
Someone online says they love you and then asks for money? Here's how to spot the signs.
Warning signs:
- ⚠️They say "I love you" very quickly — often within days or weeks.
- ⚠️They always have an excuse not to video call or meet in person.
- ⚠️They have a crisis that only your money can solve.
- ⚠️They want you to pay with gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers.
- ⚠️They asked you to move off the dating app to WhatsApp or Telegram.
🌐 Fake Websites That Steal Your Info
A website that looks like your bank but isn't? Scammers create convincing copies to steal your login.
Warning signs:
- ⚠️Check the website address carefully — scammers use addresses that look almost right (e.g., td-banking.xyz instead of td.com).
- ⚠️Real banks never send you a link and ask you to log in urgently.
- ⚠️Look for strange domain endings like .xyz, .top, .buzz, or .click.
- ⚠️When in doubt, type your bank's address directly into your browser.
📱 Phone Scams and Spoofed Numbers
That call from the 'CRA' threatening to arrest you? It's not real. Here's how phone scams work.
Warning signs:
- ⚠️The CRA, IRS, and police will never call and threaten to arrest you.
- ⚠️Scammers can make any number appear on your caller ID — even your bank's real number.
- ⚠️If someone says you owe money and must pay right now, hang up.
- ⚠️Call back using the number on the official website or the back of your card.
📧 Phishing Emails That Look Real
An email from Amazon about a purchase you didn't make? Don't click that link.
Warning signs:
- ⚠️Check the sender's email address — scammers use addresses like support@amaz0n-help.com.
- ⚠️Hover over links before clicking to see where they really go.
- ⚠️Real companies won't ask for your password or full card number by email.
- ⚠️If an email says something went wrong with your account, go to the website directly instead of clicking the link.
💰 Crypto and Investment Scams
Guaranteed returns? A special trading platform? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Warning signs:
- ⚠️No legitimate investment guarantees returns — especially not 10%, 50%, or 100% per week.
- ⚠️Scammers create fake trading platforms that show fake profits to keep you investing more.
- ⚠️"Pig butchering" scams combine romance and investment — they gain your trust, then push you to invest.
- ⚠️Real financial advisors don't contact you on dating apps or social media.
🎁 Gift Card Scams
No real company, government, or person in need asks to be paid in gift cards. Ever.
Warning signs:
- ⚠️If anyone asks you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers — it's a scam, 100% of the time.
- ⚠️The CRA, IRS, and utility companies do not accept gift cards as payment.
- ⚠️Once you share gift card numbers, the money is gone and cannot be recovered.
- ⚠️If you're at a store buying gift cards and the cashier warns you, listen to them.
Remember: Scams are designed to fool smart people. You are not foolish for being targeted.
Checking is always the right move. 🛡️