Scams and Fraud Understanding Scams and Fraud
Scams and fraud involve tricking someone into giving away money, personal information, or property. These crimes can take many forms, including:
- Phone or email scams
- Romance or investment scams
- Identity theft
- Contractor or service fraud
- “Grandparent” scams targeting seniors
Victims often feel embarrassed or blamed, but it’s important to know these crimes can happen to anyone and are deliberately manipulative.
How Victim Services Can Help
Victim Services organizations support people affected by scams and fraud—even if the crime happened online or across borders.
Support may include:
- Emotional support and help managing feelings of fear, guilt, or betrayal
- Guidance on reporting to police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or financial institutions
- Assistance with safety planning (especially in cases of ongoing scams)
- Referrals to legal advice or credit support services
Staff can help you understand what happened, reduce risk of future harm, and feel supported during recovery.
