Emergency Response Protocol
STOP. SECURE. REPORT.™
If you are under pressure right now, follow these steps immediately. Do not engage with the caller.
STOP THE LOSS
Immediate Action
Financial Threat
Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your physical card. Tell them you suspect “Social Engineering” and ask to freeze your accounts.
Do not use a number the caller gave you.
Authority Threat
Hang up. Real Canadian agencies — RCMP, CRA, IRCC — do not threaten arrest or deportation over the phone, and they never demand payment via gift cards or crypto.
SECURE YOUR IDENTITY
Next 30 Minutes
Place a Fraud Alert
Call both national credit bureaus. This stops new accounts from being opened in your name.
Equifax Canada
1-800-465-7166TransUnion Canada
1-800-663-9980Independent Verification
If you are worried the “Authority” call was real, call the official lines directly — never a callback number they provided.
OFFICIAL REPORTING
Crucial for Recovery
Local Police
Report the incident to your local police service and get a Police File Number. You will need this for your bank and insurance.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
The CAFC is the central hub for tracking these professional criminals across Canada.
Once you have taken these steps, return to your readiness check. You can pause, resume, or restart at any time.
I Have Secured My Household — Return to Readiness CheckNothing here requires a name, an email address, or payment. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.