Scams targeting Canadian seniors are more sophisticated than ever. They come by phone, email, text message, and social media — and they are designed by professionals who test their tactics constantly. You are not gullible if you have been fooled; you are human. But knowing what to look for makes you a much harder target.
This guide covers the most common scams hitting Canadians right now, the specific phrases and tactics scammers use, and exactly what to do when something feels wrong.
The Most Common Scams Targeting Canadian Seniors
1. The CRA Phone Scam
A caller claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency and says you owe unpaid taxes. You will be arrested, they say, unless you pay immediately — usually with gift cards or wire transfer.
"This is the CRA calling. There is a warrant for your arrest due to unpaid taxes. To avoid going to jail today, you must purchase $2,000 in Google Play cards and call us back with the numbers."
2. The Grandparent Scam
A caller pretends to be your grandchild (or a lawyer or police officer representing them) and says they are in trouble — arrested, in a car accident, stranded in another country — and need money urgently. They beg you not to tell their parents.
"Grandma, it's me, I'm in trouble. I had a little accident and I'm in jail. Please don't tell mom and dad. My lawyer will call you — I need you to send bail money right away."
The emotional manipulation in these calls is powerful. Always verify by calling your grandchild directly on their known number before doing anything.
3. Tech Support Scams
A pop-up window on your computer screams that you have a virus and your device is locked. A phone number tells you to call "Microsoft Support" immediately. Or someone calls you claiming to be from Microsoft and says they have detected a problem on your computer.
4. Romance Scams
Someone contacts you online or through social media, often on a dating site or Facebook. They are kind, attentive, and seem perfect. After weeks or months of building a relationship, they ask for money — usually for an emergency (medical, travel, business). They will never meet you in person.
Romance scams are devastating because they also break the heart. If an online contact has never video-called you and is asking for money, treat it as a serious red flag regardless of how real the relationship has felt.
5. The Package Delivery Scam
You receive a text saying a package could not be delivered and you need to pay a small customs fee by clicking a link. The link takes you to a fake site designed to steal your credit card details.
Canada Post and courier companies do not ask for payment via unsolicited text link. If you are expecting a package, go directly to the company's official website.
The Universal Red Flags
Across all types of scams, these warning signs appear over and over:
- Urgency: "You must act now or it will be too late."
- Secrecy: "Do not tell your family about this."
- Unusual payment: Gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, money order.
- Fear: Threats of arrest, account closure, or legal action.
- Too good to be true: Prize winnings, inheritance, or investment returns that seem extraordinary.
- Remote access requests: "Please download this software so I can fix your computer."
Practise Spotting Scams
The best way to get good at recognising scams is to practise in a safe environment. The Digital Confidence Centre's Scam Simulator lets you work through realistic examples — fake emails, text messages, and phone scenarios — so you can build your instincts without any real risk.
Try the Scam Simulator — practise spotting real scam tactics with no risk. See if you can catch the red flags.
For a full lesson on online safety and scam awareness, work through Module 2: The Security Shield. It takes about 30 minutes and covers everything in this article interactively.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
First, you are not alone. Scammers succeed often. Here is what to do:
- If you shared banking or credit card information, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card or on their official website.
- If you sent money via gift cards, call the card company right away and report it — they may be able to cancel unredeemed cards.
- Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. Your report protects others.
- If you gave someone remote access to your computer or device, change all your passwords immediately and consider taking the device to a technician.
You can also find additional scam resources and Ontario-specific help on the Resources page.