Emergency Response Protocol
STOP. SECURE. REPORT.™
If you are under pressure right now, follow these steps immediately. Do not engage with the caller.
Immediate physical danger or threats: Call 911.
If the person pressuring you is a caregiver, relative or someone you depend on, do not confront them if doing so could increase danger or isolation.
Your first three contacts
Your financial institution
Call the number on the back of your physical bank card or in the institution’s official app or website. Say that you may be the victim of fraud or social engineering. Report any transaction you did not authorize and ask whether any pending payment or transfer can be stopped or recalled. Ask the institution to secure affected accounts or cards and tell you what to do next.
Do not use a telephone number, link or contact information provided by the person who contacted you.
Local police — non-emergency
If money or personal information was lost, identity fraud may have occurred, or threats were made, contact your local police service using the non-emergency number on its official website. Ask for a police file or occurrence number and keep it for future reference. Your financial institution or insurer may ask for it.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Report confirmed or attempted fraud even if no money was lost. Reports help authorities identify fraud patterns and warn other Canadians.
Additional help when relevant
Identity or credit information exposed
If you shared sensitive identity information, believe an account was opened in your name, or find credit activity you do not recognize, contact both Canadian credit bureaus and ask what fraud or identity-protection option is available where you live.
Equifax Canada
1-800-465-7166TransUnion Canada
1-800-663-9980Was the caller claiming to be from the CRA?
End the original contact and verify the situation directly with the Canada Revenue Agency. Do not use a callback number supplied by the caller.
CRA individual enquiries
1-800-959-8281Was the caller claiming to be from immigration?
Use this only when the communication involves immigration status, deportation threats, visas, permits, citizenship, immigration documents or someone claiming to represent IRCC. IRCC is not a general fraud-reporting service.
IRCC, from within Canada
1-888-242-2100Do you need confidential victim support in British Columbia?
VictimLinkBC provides confidential, multilingual crisis support, safety planning, information and referrals for people affected by crime or abuse. It is not a replacement for 911 when someone is in immediate danger.
If remote access was already given
If remote access was already allowed, stop using the affected device and disconnect it from Wi-Fi or unplug its network cable. Using a different trusted device, contact the financial institution and change passwords for affected accounts. Have the affected device checked by a reputable technical-support professional before reconnecting it.
Preserve the evidence
Do not continue the conversation, but preserve the evidence. Keep receipts and take screenshots of messages, email addresses, telephone numbers, payment instructions and transaction details. Do not click links or open attachments while collecting this information.
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.