Changed recently
- Whether to also report a scam to local police is now Report it to local police and get a file number. Source
- First step after losing money to a scam is now Report first to the financial institution that sent the money. Source
- Who may legally charge for immigration advice is now Only law society members, Quebec notaries, or College members. Source
- When you can take a bank complaint to OBSI is now After 56 days without a resolution from the bank. Source
| Fact | Value | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First step after losing money to a scam | Report first to the financial institution that sent the money | 2026-09-08 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "What to do if you're a victim of fraud" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Second scam aimed at people who already lost money | Never pay anyone who promises to recover your lost money | 2026-09-08 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "What to do if you're a victim of fraud" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| How to report a scam online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre | Report at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca; you may report anonymously | 2026-09-07 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Report fraud and cybercrime" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| How to report immigration fraud or an unauthorized consultant | CBSA Border Watch 1-888-502-9060, weekdays 9 am to 9 pm Eastern | 2026-09-08 | Canada Border Services Agency, "Contact the Border Watch Line" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| How to check an immigration consultant's licence | Search the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants public register | 2026-09-07 | College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, "Public Register" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| CAFC alert - account takeover using your one-time passcode | Never share a one-time passcode; it hands over your account | 2026-04-01 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Securing your online accounts - protect your one-time passcodes" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| CAFC alert - fake FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, travel and rentals | Fake ticket, travel package and rental ads target World Cup fans | 2026-03-11 | RCMP / Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Warning on FIFA World Cup themed frauds" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| CAFC alert - payment redirection (spear phishing) fraud on businesses | Fake emails change payment instructions and redirect a real payment | 2026-05-13 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "CAFC and partners assist in $3.5M recovery linked to payment redirection fraud" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| CAFC alert - spear phishing transfer frozen with US Secret Service | $1.7 million CAD fraudulent transfer frozen after fast reporting | 2026-01-29 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "CAFC and US Secret Service freeze $1.7M fraudulent transfer" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Crypto investment scams that start on social media or dating apps | Fake trading platforms show gains you can never withdraw | 2026-09-08 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Investment" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Jobs that move money through your own bank account | Moving payments through your account makes you a money mule | 2026-09-08 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Money mule awareness" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Most reported types of fraud in Canada in 2025 | Identity fraud, investment fraud, service fraud | 2025-12-31 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre / Competition Bureau, "Fraud Prevention Month to bring hidden crime into the spotlight" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Phone number to report a scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre | 1-888-495-8501, Monday to Friday 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern | 2026-09-07 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Report fraud and cybercrime" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Reported fraud losses in the first three months of 2026 | over $188 million | 2026-03-31 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre supported Operation FRONTIER+III" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Share of fraud victims who actually report it | only 5% to 10% of frauds are reported | 2026-03-06 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre / Competition Bureau, "Fraud Prevention Month to bring hidden crime into the spotlight" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| The emergency or grandparent scam | Hang up and call the relative on a number you already have | 2026-09-07 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "Emergency" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| The fake cheque or overpayment job scam | No real employer sends a cheque and asks you to wire part back | 2026-09-07 | Competition Bureau Canada, "Job and employment scams" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Types of fraud that cost Canadians the most money in 2025 | Investment fraud, romance fraud, job fraud | 2025-12-31 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre / Competition Bureau, "Fraud Prevention Month to bring hidden crime into the spotlight" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| When you can take a bank complaint to OBSI | After 56 days without a resolution from the bank | 2022-06-30 | Financial Consumer Protection Framework Regulations (SOR/2021-181) ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Whether to also report a scam to local police | Report it to local police and get a file number | 2026-09-08 | Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "What to do if you're a victim of fraud" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Who may legally charge for immigration advice | Only law society members, Quebec notaries, or College members | 2021-11-23 | Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, section 91 ✓ 2026-09-09 |
| Who reviews your complaint if the bank says no | OBSI, the single free banking ombudsman since November 1, 2024 | 2024-11-01 | Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments, "OBSI becomes sole banking ombudsman" ✓ 2026-09-09 |
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How this page is checked
Before an approved update, the checker re-opens each source and looks for the exact claim. A ✓ shows the date that last succeeded. Archived copies may support explicitly historical claims, never current applicability.
iamonmybreak publishes general information for working people. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Rules differ by province and country and change over time; the date at the top of this piece is when we last checked. For your specific case, especially anything involving money you are owed, contact a free community legal clinic or your provincial or state labour standards office.