Fraud Prevention Month: How to Protect Yourself in 2026

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reported 23,113, victims of fraud in 2025 (up to September 30th), with a total reported dollar loss of more than $544 million over that same period. The good news is, these numbers seem to be down from the previous year, however we all know that scams are still a serious and pervasive issue that need to be dealt with (source).

While there are many different types of fraudulent activities designed to redirect your hard-earned dollars into a scammer’s pockets, it is unfortunate to note that there has been an increase in fraudsters impersonating the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, promoting business or job opportunities, or offering tech support. Find other examples of fraud listed on the CAFC website.

As scams get ‘smarter’ every year, Canadians need to be more alert than ever when it comes to who they share their personal data and financial information with.

10 ways to protect yourself this Fraud Prevention Month

1. If you receive a suspicious call, ask questions. Ask for the business website address (URL), the company history, or request a call-back number. Legitimate organizations will willingly provide you with this information, and allow you the time you need to think about your purchase or donation, and make a decision at a later date.
2. No means no. High-pressure sales tactics are meant to make you act quickly – without thinking things through. If the person selling to you wants you to make your purchase immediately, let them know that you’ll need to see the information in writing first. If they continue to put the pressure on, don’t be afraid to hang up.
3. Add a second or third secret question to your bank and credit card accounts. The default question is usually your mother’s maiden name – which can be pretty easy for a scammer to find.
4. Don’t click on that link or open that attachment. Never click on a suspicious looking link or download an attachment if you don’t recognize the sender. (That’s phishing!). Also, responding to emails requesting: financial information, a change in password or update to your personal information is always a no-no. Your bank would never request your personal information or a password change via email.
5. Familiarize yourself with spoofing. Scammers have the technology to create legitimate-looking websites, email addresses, and even phone numbers. If something seems off, call the person or business directly – whether you’ve received a phone call or email. And be sure to verify that the website URL is the right one.
6. Triple check that a website is legitimate – and secure. Look at the web address (URL) to ensure it’s the right one. You can confirm by Googling the company name, checking its email signature, or reviewing any hard copy brochures or marketing materials you may have on hand. Check the company’s URL to see if it begins with https://. (The extra ”s” stands for security, so this one should be easy to remember!)
7. Watch out for contests or promises that seem too good to be true. Winning a contest can be exciting, but if you can’t remember entering, and you’re being asked for money to pay for shipping, taxes, or another fee, be extra cautious. When you win a contest, you shouldn’t have to pay for your prize.
8. Be wary of free Wi-Fi. Unless a business offers a password-protected system, computer-savvy thieves can easily hack into free Wi-Fi systems to steal usernames and account passwords from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
9. Monitor your accounts. Be sure to check the activity of your bank and credit card accounts regularly – early detection is key if something is amiss. Keep your eyes peeled for orders that seem larger than normal, repeat orders of the same time, or business names you’ve never dealt with.
10. Avoid payment via gift cards, cash, or money orders. If a business asks you to pay by gift card, disconnect from the call immediately. Also, be wary if a business offers to send a courier to pick up the funds, as most reputable companies would be able to process other forms of payment. A final note: Cash is untraceable and can’t be cancelled like a credit card payment or cheque.

If you think you’ve been a target of fraud, be sure to report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre immediately.

How we protect you

Rest assured that both Serenia Life Head Office and our team of advisors abide by strict compliance guidelines to protect your personal information. In support of protecting our members’ personal data, our systems are upgraded regularly, and we continue to provide ongoing Cyber Security training for our staff.

And remember, we will never ever send Serenia Life members an email asking for personal information. Contact your advisor if you receive a suspicious email, and they’ll advise you of next steps.

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