The Call Forwarding Scam
⚠️ Key warning sign: Your phone carrier or bank will never ask you to dial a code to "activate security" or "fix an account problem." Dialling codes you are asked to enter by a caller is almost always a scam.
How the scam works — step by step
- You receive a call from someone claiming to be your mobile carrier (Rogers, Bell, Telus) or your bank. They say there is a problem with your account or your SIM card.
- They tell you the fix requires dialling a specific code on your phone — for example, *21*[their phone number]# followed by the call button.
- You dial the code without realising it activates call forwarding — routing all your incoming calls to the criminal's phone number.
- The criminal now calls your bank, pretending to be you. When the bank sends a one-time verification code to "your" phone, the criminal receives it instead.
- They access your online banking, change passwords, and transfer money.
The codes criminals use
Common call forwarding activation codes used in this scam include:
*21*[number]#— unconditional call forwarding**21*[number]#— forwarding variation*67*[number]#— another variation
To cancel all forwarding: dial ##002# and press call. Do this if you are unsure whether you have been tricked.
What to do
- Hang up on any caller asking you to dial any code
- Call your carrier directly on their official number to verify your account status
- Dial ##002# to cancel any call forwarding that may have been activated
- Change your online banking password from a device that is not your phone
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501
Your carrier will never ask you to dial a code over the phone
Legitimate phone carriers manage account settings through your online account portal or at a retail store — not by asking you to dial codes. Any caller asking you to input codes is attempting fraud.
Report this scam
If you have experienced this scam, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or at antifraudcentre.ca. Reporting helps protect other Canadians.
Back to Module 2: Security Shield →
If you have experienced this scam, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or at antifraudcentre.ca. Reporting helps protect other Canadians.
Back to Module 2: Security Shield →