How to Report Fraud in Canada (and Get Your Money Back)
Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, file with your local police, and call your bank immediately. Canada has no law forcing banks to refund scam victims, so acting within the hour is everything.
Quick answer: Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or 1-888-495-8501, file a report with your local police, and call your bank now. Canada has no law forcing banks to reimburse scam victims, so speed is everything.
What to do in 3 steps
- Call the bank that moved the money. Report it as fraud and ask them to stop or recall the transfer and dispute the charge. For card fraud, invoke your chargeback / zero-liability protection.
- Report to the CAFC and local police. File with the CAFC online or on 1-888-495-8501 (Mon–Fri, 10:00–16:45 ET), and report to your local police to get a file number — the police investigate; the CAFC collects intelligence.
- Escalate free to the ombudsman. If the bank's final answer is unfair, take it to OBSI on 1-888-451-4519 after the bank's complaint process is exhausted.
How recovery actually works
There is no statutory scam-reimbursement scheme in Canada. Unauthorised card transactions are usually covered by network chargeback and zero-liability rules. But money you were tricked into sending yourself (an e-transfer or wire) is rarely recoverable once the fraudster withdraws it — banks reimburse case-by-case at best. A federal review of bank duties is under way, but nothing is law yet.
What to have ready
- A timeline of events and all transaction details (amounts, dates, references)
- Copies of every email and text with the fraudster
- The receiving account or wallet details, and any names, sites and numbers used
- Your police file number when escalating
Frequently asked questions
What number do I call to report fraud in Canada? The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501, and your local police for a file number.
Will my bank refund me? Likely for clearly unauthorised card fraud; unlikely for transfers you authorised after being deceived.
What if the bank refuses? Escalate free to OBSI, the banking ombudsman, on 1-888-451-4519.