How do I know if a phone call is a scam?
Scam calls follow predictable patterns once you know what to look for. The biggest warning sign is urgency — a caller who says you must act right now, or something terrible will happen. Real organisations (CRA, banks, police) never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Another red flag is secrecy — being told not to tell your family or banker. Caller ID can be faked, so even a number that looks official may not be. If a call makes you feel anxious or afraid, that feeling is the scam working as intended. You can always hang up and call the organisation back using the number from their official website or the back of your card.
What to do
- Notice if you feel rushed, frightened, or pressured — that is the first sign of a scam.
- Scammers often claim to be from CRA, your bank, police, or a grandchild in trouble.
- They ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies — real organisations never do this.
- Caller ID can be faked — a familiar-looking number proves nothing.
- Hang up. You can always call back using the real number from the organisation's website.
- Tell a trusted person about the call — reporting it helps warn others.
The 3-Second Rule
If anyone on the phone asks you to pay with a gift card — that is always a scam. Every time. No exceptions.
Important Warning
The CRA will never call you demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest. If you receive this type of call, hang up immediately.
Learn More
Go deeper with our full lesson: Module 2: The Security Shield.