Tips and Information to Help Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

You may not realize it, but scams targeting our seniors is a form of elder abuse.

While it is sometimes tricky to spot a scam, scammers tend to follow similar patterns. They will be excited to offer something very good, such as winning a trip or money – or instill fear with something very bad – such as going to prison, fines or threatening loss of personal assets.

Here are examples of common scams which are often aimed at seniors, and some prevention and safe guards, including local resources for support, and steps to take if targeted.

Common Scams Targeting Canadian Seniors

• CRA Scam (Canada Revenue Agency) – Scammer claims you owe taxes and must pay immediately or face arrest.  May come as a phone call, email, or text.
• Service Canada/Passport/Immigration Scams – Impersonators claim your SIN is compromised or there’s an issue with your documents.
• Grandparent or Emergency Scam – Someone poses as a grandchild or relative needing urgent money due to an accident or arrest.
• Tech Support Scams – Fake calls or pop-ups claim your computer is infected and request remote access.
• Romance Scams – Scammer builds an online relationship, then asks for financial help.
• Prize or Lottery Scams –  “You’ve won!” — but you must pay taxes or a fee first.
• Bank Investigator or Fake Bank Call – A scammer pretends to be from your bank asking you to help with an “investigation” into a dishonest employee.

How We Can Protect Ourselves

1. Recognize  Red Flags

• High-pressure tactics, urgent requests for money, secrecy.
• Unsolicited calls or messages asking for personal information.

2. Protect Personal Information

• Never give out your SIN, banking details, passwords, or credit card numbers over the phone or email.
• Legitimate organizations like CRA or Service Canada never demand payment via gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers.

3. Use Call Blocking and Email Filters

• Register with the National Do Not Call – www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca
• Use call-screening or blocking tools on phones.
• Mark suspicious emails as spam and do not click on suspicious links from unknown senders.

4. Stay Connected

• Talk to trusted family or friends before acting on any financial requests.
• Seniors living alone should have regular check-ins with someone they trust.

 If You’re a Victim or Suspect a Scam

1. Stop. Hang up. You are not being rude. 
2. Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately if you sent money.
3. Report the fraud to:
   • Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
     1-888-495-8501
     🌐 www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
   • Local police department (non-emergency line in Calgary.) 403-266-1234
   • Seniors Safety Line (for elder abuse including fraud):
     1-866-299-1011

Prevention Reminders

• If it sounds too good to be true — it probably is.
• No government agency will threaten arrest over the phone.
• No Bank will ever contact ask you for password information
• No Bank will ever ask you to cut up your card and send a courier to pick it up for “safe disposal”.
• Consider entering all of your contacts into your phone. If you don’t recognize the name, don’t answer. 
• You never have to act right away if you are being pressured to — talk to someone you trust first.