The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is dedicated to empowering community members with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their families from fraud. On this page, you’ll find valuable information about recognizing and reporting fraudulent activity, as well as details about common scams and practical tips for fraud prevention. Together, we can work towards a safer, more informed community.
Common Scams & Fraud
ATM Fraud
What to Look For: Skimming devices and hidden cameras capture your card details and PIN. Some ATMs may also be tampered with to “trap” your card.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Inspect ATMs for signs of tampering before use.
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Use ATMs located inside banks for added security.
Charity Scams
What to Look For: Fake charities prey on your generosity, especially after disasters or during the holidays. Scammers may pressure you to donate immediately or refuse to provide proper details about their organization.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify the charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Donate directly through official websites or organizations.
- Never give cash or personal details to solicitors you don’t trust.
Cryptocurrency Scams
What to Look For: Fraudsters promote fake investment opportunities, impersonate crypto wallet providers, or create phishing schemes to steal your wallet credentials. Some claim you’ll earn huge returns if you transfer your crypto to them.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Stick to trusted crypto platforms and wallets.
- Avoid “guaranteed” returns or unsolicited investment advice.
- Use multi-factor authentication on crypto accounts.
Dating and Romance Scams
What to Look For: Scammers on dating sites or apps try to build trust, then ask for money or personal info. They may claim to have a family emergency or need help with travel expenses to visit you. They may also request intimate images and blackmail you once they have them.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be wary of someone who professes their love to you who you haven’t met in person
- Do an image search of the person to see if their photo is taken from a stock image
- Be cautious of someone who avoids meeting face-to-face
- The scammer may express distress or an emergency that requires you to send them money very early on in your communications. Do NOT send money.
- Look for inconsistencies in their online profile and what they tell you
- Stick to reputable dating platforms.
- Don’t share personal or financial info with people you haven’t met in person.
- Don’t share intimate images.
Emergency Scams / Grandparent Scams
What to Look For: A scammer pretends to be a family member or friend in trouble, like needing bail money or help after an accident. They’ll ask you to send money quickly and not tell anyone else.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Take a breath and verify the story with other family members.
- Ask questions only your loved one would know.
- Never wire money without confirming the situation.
Fake Subscription Scams
What to Look For: You receive notices about renewing subscriptions for services you never signed up for. Scammers may ask for payment or personal details to “cancel” the service.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Ignore calls or emails about unknown subscriptions.
- Check your bank statements for unusual charges.
- Contact the service provider directly if in doubt.
Gift Card Scams
What to Look For: Scammers request payment via gift cards, claiming it’s the only way to settle debts, resolve a problem, reimburse them, pay for an item or service, get a job, etc.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Legitimate companies or government agencies will never ask for gift card payments.
- Never purchase gift cards for, or share gift card numbers with, anyone you don’t know.
Health and Medical Scams
What to Look For: Offers for “miracle cures” or “quick fixes” for serious conditions, dramatic weight-loss promises, or drugs sold online at super-low prices. These are often fake, untested, or even harmful.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Don’t trust health claims that seem too good to be true.
- Check with a healthcare professional before trying new treatments.
- Avoid buying medications from unverified online pharmacies.
Home Repair/Door-to-Door Scams
What to Look For: Scammers offer urgent repairs (e.g., roof, driveway) or energy-saving products, often demanding large deposits upfront. They may claim your home is in immediate danger or pressure you into a quick decision.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Don’t agree to repairs without getting multiple quotes.
- Verify the business’s credentials and references.
- Never pay cash upfront for work that hasn’t been done.
Identity Theft
What to Look For: Scammers steal personal information through phishing, fake websites, or even by digging through your trash. They use this info to open accounts, apply for credit, or commit other fraud in your name.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Shred sensitive documents before disposing of them.
- Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
- Monitor your credit report for suspicious activity.
Immigration Scams
What to Look For: Scammers pose as immigration officials or consultants, threatening deportation or offering to fast-track applications for a fee. They may request personal info, upfront payments, or use fake government documents to appear legit.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Only use licensed immigration consultants or lawyers.
- The government won’t threaten you or demand gift cards or crypto payments.
- Verify all info on the official Canada website (canada.ca).
- Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Internet Scams
What to Look For: These include phishing emails pretending to be from your bank, fake websites selling goods, or malware that infects your computer. Scammers might try to steal personal info or money by tricking you into clicking on bad links.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Don’t click links or download files from unknown senders.
- Use antivirus software and keep it updated.
- Always type website addresses yourself instead of clicking on links.
Job and Employment Scams
What to Look For: These scams promise high pay for little effort, often involving upfront fees or using your bank account for “business purposes.” Fake job offers can also be fronts for money laundering.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Research the employer and job opportunity thoroughly.
- Never pay upfront fees for a job.
- Be cautious of job offers that require you to transfer money or share personal info.
Lotteries, Sweepstakes, and Contests
What to Look For: Scammers claim you’ve won a big prize from a lottery or contest you never entered. They’ll often say you need to pay fees or provide personal info to claim your winnings. Sometimes they’ll even use official-looking documents to convince you it’s real.
How to Protect Yourself:
- If you didn’t enter, you can’t win-simple as that.
- Never pay upfront fees for prizes.
- Don’t share personal or banking info with anyone claiming you’ve won.
Mobile Phone Scams
What to Look For: Scammers send fake texts, offer “free” ringtones, or call and hang up so you’ll return the call (to a premium-rate number). Sometimes, they’ll try to trick you into subscribing to expensive services without realizing it.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Ignore texts or missed calls from unknown numbers.
- Read the fine print before subscribing to services.
- Block and report suspicious numbers.
Money Transfer Scams
What to Look For: Someone asks you to transfer money for them-maybe for an inheritance, to claim a reward, or as part of a “job.” They’ll ask for fees upfront or provide fake cheques that will bounce after you’ve sent the money.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never agree to transfer money for someone you don’t know.
- Ignore emails or messages about unexpected inheritances or winnings.
- Verify payment methods before depositing or spending money.
Moving Scams
What to Look For: Rogue movers offer low quotes, then hold your belongings hostage for more money. Others might damage or steal your items and disappear.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Research movers and check reviews before hiring.
- Get a written estimate and understand the terms.
- Avoid paying in full before the move is completed.
Online Marketplace Scams
What to Look For: Sellers demand payment upfront and never deliver the product, or buyers use fake payment methods for items they pick up.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Use secure payment methods (e.g., PayPal’s goods and services option).
- Meet in public places for exchanges.
- Avoid transactions that feel rushed or pressured.
Pyramid Schemes
What to Look For: These scams promise big profits for recruiting others, not from selling actual products or services. They’re often disguised as “business opportunities” and may even involve people you know. Eventually, they collapse, leaving most participants at a loss.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be cautious if the focus is on recruitment, not sales.
- Research any opportunity independently.
- Walk away from high-pressure sales tactics.
Rental Scams
What to Look For: Scammers post fake rental ads or impersonate landlords, asking for deposits or personal information upfront. You might be asked to wire money without seeing the property.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Always visit a rental property in person before signing or paying.
- Don’t send money or provide personal info before verifying the landlord’s identity.
- Research market prices; if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Service Scams
What to Look For: Scammers pretend to offer lower rates on services like antivirus software, credit cards, or utilities. They often ask for payment upfront or personal details to secure the “deal.”
How to Protect Yourself:
- Only trust offers directly from your service provider.
- Avoid giving payment info over the phone unless you initiated the call.
- Hang up on unsolicited calls about “special deals” or limited-time offers.
Sextortion Scams
What to Look For: Scammers claim to have compromising photos or videos of you and threaten to share them with your contacts unless you pay. Sometimes, they’ve hacked your accounts or used phishing to get personal information, but often, they’re bluffing and have nothing.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never send money; it encourages further threats.
- Avoid sharing intimate content online, even with trusted individuals.
- Update your passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Report the scam to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
If you are worried a nude of you under the age of 18 is being shared online, NeedHelpNow.ca can help. There are steps you can take to regain control, and people to support you.
SIM Card Swap Fraud
What to Look For: Fraudsters convince your carrier to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card, giving them access to your accounts (especially if you use SMS for two-factor authentication).
How to Protect Yourself:
- Use app-based two-factor authentication instead of SMS.
- Set a PIN or passcode with your carrier.
- Monitor your phone for sudden loss of service.
Small Business Scams
What to Look For: Scammers send fake invoices, pretend to be your regular supplier, or offer bogus advertising opportunities. They might also target your domain registration with fake renewal notices.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Check invoices and orders carefully before paying.
- Train staff to recognize suspicious calls or emails.
- Verify domain renewals directly with your registrar.
Tax/Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Scams
What to Look For: Scammers pretend to be from the CRA, claiming you owe back taxes or are eligible for a refund. They’ll pressure you to pay or share personal details to “process your refund.”
How to Protect Yourself:
- The CRA doesn’t threaten arrests or ask for payments in gift cards.
- Log in to your official CRA account to verify claims.
- Report suspicious calls or emails to the CRA.
Taxi Scams
What to Look For: Drivers overcharge, claim their card reader is broken, or use fake apps to inflate fares. They may even swap your card during payment.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Use ride-hailing apps where possible.
- Check the fare and agree on a price beforehand for cash rides.
- Monitor your card transactions after paying.
Tech Support Scams
What to Look For: You get a call or pop-up claiming your computer is infected, urging you to pay for unnecessary repairs or grant remote access.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never allow remote access to your computer unless you initiated contact with a trusted service provider.
- Close suspicious pop-ups immediately.
- Update your antivirus software regularly.
Telephone Scams
What to Look For: Scammers pretend to be from companies or service providers, claiming issues with your account, offering fake discounts, or threatening to disconnect your services unless you pay immediately. They may ask for personal details or payment over the phone. Their caller ID can be spoofed to appear as the legitimate company’s name or phone number.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Hang up and call the company directly using their official number.
- Never share personal or payment information with unsolicited callers.
- Be skeptical of unexpected “limited-time offers” or threats of disconnection.
- Report suspicious calls to your service provider and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Best Practices to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Be Aware and Skeptical
- Pause before acting — scammers often pressure you to act quickly. Take your time to think.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited contact, whether by phone, email, text, or door-to-door visits.
- Do not be pressured into signing contracts — read them carefully
Phone and Online Safety
- Never give out personal or financial information (SIN, banking info, passwords)
- Hang up on suspicious calls — you can always call the organization back using a number from an official source.
- Don’t click links or open attachments in emails or texts from unknown senders.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on accounts
Financial Protection
- Monitor bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
- Don’t send money or gift cards to strangers or people you’ve only met online.
- Legitimate companies or government agencies will NEVER ask for gift card payments.
- Avoid paying fees upfront for supposed prizes, winnings, or investments.
- Shred personal documents before throwing them out.
- Always cover your PIN when using your debit or credit card
Social Awareness
- Talk openly about scams with family and friends, especially if something feels suspicious.
- Don’t be embarrassed to say no or hang up — legitimate businesses and government agencies will understand.
- Be cautious of romantic or friendship offers online — never send money or personal information to someone you haven’t met in person
When in Doubt
- Verify directly: Call the company, bank, or government agency using a number from their official website.
- Report suspected scams to local police and other authorities (e.g., Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501).
- Ask someone you trust to review suspicious messages or offers before you respond.
I may be a victim of fraud/a scam. What should I do?
If you think you may be a victim of a fraud, there are some key steps you should take immediately to reduce your risk of losing more money, and to avoid being scammed again.
- Stop all communication with the scammer
- Stop making any major financial decisions until your accounts are secured
- Gather all records you have of the scam
- Notify your financial institution and other companies where you have an account that may have been affected
- Change all your passwords to your accounts, including social media sites
- Protect your devices that you use to communicate with the scammer, such as your computer, laptop, tablet, and cellphone
- Ensure security or operating software on your device is up-to-date
- Install anti-spyware protection on your computer
- Perform a virus scan of your hard drive and files
- Do not send your personal, credit card or online banking details in an email
- Put an alert on your credit report by contacting Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada
- Report suspected scams to local police and other authorities (e.g., Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501).
Resources
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – provides more advice on scams and frauds and current types of frauds.
Be Scam Smart – a series of videos by CRA Canada with tips to protect you from scams.
Canada Revenue Agency: Scams and Fraud – how to protect yourself against scams and schemes. Find out how to report a scam, suspicious activity, or suspected tax cheating.
Cyber Crime, Computer and Internet Safety – provides information regarding online frauds and crimes.
Competition Bureau’s Information Centre – provides information regarding laws businesses must follow.
Competition Bureau – Fraud and Scams page – provides tips and advice, common scams, info on reporting, etc.
Government of Canada Little Black Book of Scams – a guide to protection against fraud
Office of Consumer Affairs – provides information about common scams that occur in your own province or territory.
Equifax – provides credit reports and scores to consumers.
TransUnion Canada – provides credit reports and scores to consumers.
Serious Fraud Office (Ontario Provincial Police) – provides resources for fraud victims and guides on reporting fraud in Ontario.