Protect yourself from scams

Monday, February 10, 2025
by IEC

Phone, text message, and web-based scams are on the rise in Canada. Fraudsters invent new schemes and strategies daily. It is vital that students learn how to identify illegitimate claims to protect themselves.

Scammers use fear and cause confusion to manipulate us. If you receive a call or text from an unfamiliar number, ignore it. If someone you do not know insists they are trying to help you but uses intimidation or threats, it is illegitimate. If you’re looking for housing and the price is too good to be true, it’s a scam.

Remember: even if a someone tells you to act quickly, it’s important to take your time and assess the situation carefully to avoid being scammed. â¶Ä¯Â 

Know the signs of a scam

Phone, email or text request warning signs

  • Official agencies contact you for payment or personal information without warning 

  • You are asked for your banking information or social insurance number (SIN)  
  • You are asked to make payments in Bitcoin, through wire transfer or purchase gift cards 
  • You feel threatened or are scared  

Housing warning signs

  • You are asked to send a deposit without seeing the rental unit 
  • If you are asked to pay in cash. Use bank cheques, money orders or e-transfers after a legitimate rental agreement is signed
  • If there is no contract and you're asked to make a verbal agreement
  • If you're pressured to provide your Social Insurance Number and banking information
  • If the landlord or subletter is difficult to get a hold of 
  • If you request to see the rental unit and the landlord or subletter declines 
  • The rent amount seems too low for market value 
  • The lease or sublet agreement doesn't seem complete 

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Job offer warning signs

  • You are promised a high-income for little or no effort 
  • You are asked for banking information and to send a transfer to access work materials 
  • You are asked to cash a cheque and to transfer part of the payment back to the company or individual 
  • You are charged a fee for work related credentials and/or pay stubs to meet program or job requirements

Do your homework:

Don't give in to high-pressure tactics. Scammers often use these to trick you into making unsafe decisions.

Before you give money or information, make sure you know who you're dealing with: 

  • Check if a charity is real – search the Canada Revenue Agency's database 
  • Confirm collection agencies – contact your provincial agency 
  • Find a company's real number – look online and call them directly to confirm the previous call 
  • Double-check with your credit card company – call the phone number on the back of your card 
  • Talk to family – if someone claims a relative is in trouble, verify with other family members 

Tip: If you receive a threatening phone call, hang up even if the caller tells you not to. Write down everything you remember from the call (e.g., phone number, badge number, where they claim to be calling from, details of the request, etc.). Call the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Regional Police Service non-emergency line to discuss the call with an officer. 

Video resources

Phishing scams

Health and medical scams

Subscription traps

Emergency scams

Identity theft scams

Other resources

If you suspect you may be the victim of a scam, it is important to come forward. There are resources available to support you. Reporting will not have an impact on your academic standing with À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ or your Canadian visa. â¶Ä¯Â 

If you suspect you may be the victim of a scam, contact:

If you need support, counselling services are available:

  • Counselling Services - 519-888-4096 (#2 on prompt for Counselling Services)  
  •  - mates@wusa.ca â¶Ä¯Â 
  •  - 1-844-437-3247  

Visit the  to learn about scams targeting newcomers to Canada.

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