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 confusionÌýto 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¯Ìý
Know the signs of a scam
Phone, email or text request warning signs:
- Official agencies contact you for payment or personal information without warningÌý
- You are asked for your banking information or social insurance number (SIN)ÌýÌý
- You are asked to make payments in Bitcoin, through wire transfer or purchase gift cardsÌý
- You feel threatened or are scaredÌýÌý
Ìý Job offer warning signs:
- You are promised a high-income for little or no effortÌý
- You are asked for banking information and to send a transfer to access work materialsÌý
- You are asked to cash a cheque and to transfer part of the payment back to the company or individualÌý
- You are charged a fee for work related credentials and/or pay stubs to meet program or job requirements
Housing warning signs:
- You are asked to send a deposit without seeing the rental unitÌý
- If you are asked to pay in cash. Use bank cheques, money orders or e-transfersÌýafter a legitimate rental agreement is signed
- If there is no contract and you'reÌýasked to make a verbal agreement
- If you're pressuredÌýto provide your Social Insurance Number and banking information
- If the landlord or subletter is difficult to get a hold ofÌý
- If you request to see the rental unit and the landlord or subletter declinesÌý
- The rent amount seems too low for market valueÌý
- The lease or sublet agreement doesn't seem completeÌý
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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:Ìý
- Check if a charity is real – search the Canada Revenue Agency's databaseÌý
- Confirm collection agencies – contact your provincial agencyÌý
- Find a company's real number – look online and call them directly to confirm the previous callÌý
- Double-check with your credit card company – call the phone number on the back of your cardÌý
- Talk to family – if someone claims a relative is in trouble, verify with other family membersÌý
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.Ìý
Video resources
Phishing scams
Subscription traps
Identity theft scamsÌý
Health and medical scams
Emergency scamsÌý
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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¯Ìý
If you suspect you may be the victim of a scam, contact:
- University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Special Constable Services - 519-888-4911 or uwscs@uwaterloo.ca, Ìý
-  - Call the non-emergency line at 519-570-9777, or Ìý
- File a report with the  â¶Ä¯
If you need support, counselling services are available:
- Counselling Services - 519-888-4096 (#2 on prompt for Counselling Services) Ìý
-  - mates@wusa.ca â¶Ä¯Ìý
-  - 1-844-437-3247 Ìý
Visit the  to learn about scams targeting newcomers to Canada
