Guide for Canadian households
A Familiar Name on Your Phone Is Not Proof
The caller says your bank account has been compromised. Another person claims to be a police officer confirming the investigation. A message threatens arrest over a tax debt. The phone display may even show a real bank, government or police number.
Read time: About 4 minutes
Published: September 15, 2026
Prepared by: The Fraud Doctor
Evidence reviewed: September 25, 2026
Concerned right now?
End the contact. Do not move money, read out a security code, install software or use a link from the caller.
For a bank concern, call the number on the back of your bank card. For a CRA or police concern, find the official number yourself.
View Canadian fraud-response stepsWhy Impersonation Calls Feel Official
These calls borrow authority from organizations people are taught to trust. Fear of losing savings, or of arrest, makes cooperating feel safer than hanging up.
Caller ID can be faked to show a real bank or police number. The caller may already know your name, address or bank. A second “manager” or “officer” may join to confirm the story, but both voices belong to the same fraud.
The CRA will not threaten arrest or demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or e-transfer. Police do not recruit members of the public into investigations by asking them to move money. A “safe account” is the fraudster’s account.
Six Warning Signs That Mean Stop
A real organization will never object to you hanging up and calling back on a number you found yourself. If money or account information has already been shared, use the fraud-response steps at the top of this page now.
- An unexpected caller says an account, identity or tax file is in immediate danger.
- A second supposed bank, police or government representative joins the call.
- You are asked to read out a one-time code, password or banking detail.
- You are told to install software or let someone see or control your screen.
- Money must be moved to a “safe account,” cryptocurrency, gift cards or an e-transfer recipient.
- You are threatened with arrest, or told not to speak with family or bank staff.
STOP · VERIFY · CALL™
STOP
End the contact. Do not send money, share information, read a security code, click a link or allow access to your device.
VERIFY
Check the story independently. Do not trust the caller’s displayed name, telephone number, link, document or instructions.
CALL
Call someone you trust before acting.
Bank concern: call the number on the back of your bank card. CRA or police concern: find the official contact information yourself.
Awareness is not a plan
Most people already know to be careful. What holds up against a confident, official-sounding call is a household plan agreed and practised in advance.
Put your family’s plan in placeFrequently asked questions
Can my bank call me about fraud?
Yes. You can still end any unexpected call and contact the bank on the number printed on your card.
Does a real-looking caller ID prove the call is genuine?
No. Caller ID can be faked to show an organization’s real name or number.
Will the CRA ever call?
It may, but it will not threaten arrest or demand payment by cryptocurrency, gift card, prepaid card or e-transfer.