New identity theft scams Canadians need to watch for
Samantha Kohn, Freelance Blogger
* This article is sponsored by Equifax.
These days, scammers have more tools, tricks, and tech than ever, and they’re using them to steal personal and financial information from innocent Canadians. This article breaks down some of the newest scams contributing to identity fraud in Canada, how they work, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Phishing scams are getting harder to spot
Phishing scams aren’t new, but they’ve evolved fast. Scammers no longer rely on poorly written emails. Now they’re using multiple platforms, including text messages, which is known as smishing. These fake emails and texts are built to look like they’re from someone you trust, like a boss, family member, or financial institution.
Some of the latest phishing tactics include fake banking updates, Netflix account issues, and delivery notices. Others try to hook you with travel deals or loan offers. A common one to watch for right now is the gift card scam, where scammers pretend to be your boss and ask you to buy gift cards, then send them the codes. They often claim they’re in a meeting or urgently need the cards for a client gift.
How to protect yourself:
Always check the email address or phone number the message is coming from (not just the name that shows up). If someone claims to be your boss, call or message them directly to confirm.
Phone scams sound more convincing than ever
Scammers are using AI-generated voices, spoofed caller ID numbers, and bits of real personal information to make their calls sound legitimate. One growing scam involves using AI to clone a loved one’s voice (often a child or grandchild) and pretend they’re in trouble. The caller might say they’ve been in an accident or are in jail, then ask for money to be sent right away.
The Canada Revenue Agency has also reported a rise in fake CRA calls, where scammers claim you owe back taxes or your SIN has been compromised. Some calls threaten arrest or legal action if you don’t respond immediately.
How to protect yourself:
Always hang up on suspicious calls, even if the voice sounds familiar or claims to be from a hospital or jail. Call the person back using a number you already trust. It’s also a good idea to talk to your family about this type of scam ahead of time. Consider choosing a “safe word” that only your real family members would know to use if something ever seems off.
And remember: the CRA doesn’t threaten or demand payment over the phone.
Social media scams use your own posts against you
Oversharing online can make it easier for scammers to impersonate you or guess your passwords. Birthdays, pet names, or kids’ schools are all goldmines for identity thieves. Some scammers go further by creating fake profiles pretending to be you or someone you know.
How to protect yourself:
Set your profiles to private. Avoid posting personal info like your full birthdate or address. Social media monitoring as part of your ID theft protection plan can flag suspicious activity tied to your accounts.
Data breaches put your info on the dark web
When companies are hacked, your information can be exposed and sold online. Criminals can use this data to open credit cards in your name, impersonate you, or access your accounts.
How to protect yourself:
Use strong, unique passwords for every account and change them regularly. Monitor your credit so you can catch suspicious activity quickly. Having an ID theft protection product with dark web monitoring can also alert you when something’s off.
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How you can stay one step ahead of identity theft
Scammers are creative, but you don’t have to make it easy for them. Staying informed, trusting your instincts, and putting the right protections in place can go a long way in preventing identity fraud in Canada.
For additional peace of mind, subscribe to Equifax Complete™ Protection. It’s a multi-layered credit and cybersecurity service that helps you catch fraud early and recover faster if it happens.
It’s designed to strengthen your overall ID theft protection strategy and give you added confidence that your personal information is being watched over.
The bottom line
Scammers aren’t slowing down. They’re finding new ways to steal information through texts, phone scams, social media, and more. But with the right habits and a few smart tools, you can stay a step ahead.
Trust your instincts, stay alert, and put protections in place to make it harder for scammers to succeed. And remember, signing up for Equifax Complete Protection can help you detect, prevent, and recover from fraud – with identity theft insurance to back it all up (terms and conditions apply).
Get more details about Equifax Complete Protection.