Stay safe online
Pause. Look. Check.
Three steps that stop most scams. Practise them here with our scam-spotting game, the same one residents play in week 3.
The routine
Before you click, pay or reply
Pause
Scammers rush you with deadlines, threats or exciting prizes. Real banks, governments and families give you time. If you feel hurried, stop.
Look
Who is it really from? Is there a link, a fee, a gift card, or a request to keep it secret? Any one of these is a warning sign.
Check
Ask your buddy or a family member. Call back using a number you already trust, like the one on your bank card, never the one in the message.
Practice game
Scam or safe?
Nine practice messages. Tap a button, or drag the card left for scam and right for safe. Phone numbers and web addresses here are made up.
Warning signs to look for
- A deadline or a threat
- Gift cards, wire transfers or crypto
- A request for a PIN, password or code
- "Don't tell anyone"
Know the patterns
Common scams in Canada
Government impostors
A caller or text claims to be from the CRA, Service Canada or the police, says you owe money or have a refund, and demands quick payment or personal details.
The "grandparent" emergency
Someone pretending to be a grandchild, or a lawyer or officer on their behalf, needs money for bail or a hospital and asks you to keep it secret.
Parcel and delivery texts
A message says a package is on hold and asks for a small fee through a link. The real goal is your card number.
Bank and card alerts
An email, text or call says your account is locked and asks you to "verify" your card, PIN or a one-time code.
Tech support pop-ups
A loud warning fills the screen and tells you to call a number. The "technician" asks for remote access or payment.
Romance and friendship
A new online friend builds trust over weeks, then needs money for travel, customs fees or an emergency.
If something went wrong
It happens to careful people too
Scammers are professionals. If you clicked, paid or shared something, acting quickly helps. There's no shame in it.
- Stop all contact.Hang up, don't reply, and don't send more money.
- Call your bank.Use the number on the back of your card to freeze cards or stop payments.
- Change passwords.Start with email and banking. Ask someone you trust to sit with you.
- Report it.Reporting helps stop the same scam reaching your neighbours.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
1-888-495-8501
Report scams and fraud, and check current scam alerts.
antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca211 Ontario
Dial 2-1-1
Free, confidential help finding community and social services, 24 hours a day.
Police, fire or ambulance
9-1-1
If you're in danger or a crime is happening now.
Get Cyber Safe
The Government of Canada's guides to protecting your devices and accounts.
getcybersafe.gc.caPrivacy & safety
Our commitments to residents
Consent in plain language
Every participant gives consent in plain language. Participation is always optional, and anyone can stop at any time.
No central logging
We don't log residents' personal messages, emails or security incidents. Scam concerns are handled person to person by buddies and volunteers.
Anonymous feedback
Survey data is anonymous and combined. Nothing identifying leaves a facility without written consent.
Hands off your accounts
Volunteers are oriented on privacy and never handle residents' passwords or financial accounts.