Interactive quiz
How to spot a scam text message in Canada
A scam text usually pushes you to act fast, comes from someone you were not expecting, and has a link or asks for money, a code or personal details. Do not click and do not reply. Forward it to 7726 (SPAM) so your carrier can block it, delete it, and check any real claim by going to the company's website yourself.
Try the quiz
Eight texts, made up but based on ones going around Canada. Decide if each is a scam, legit or if you can't tell from the text alone. You will see the reason straight away.
Answer: Scam.
Urgency, a deadline and a link that is not Canada Post's website. Canada Post says to check a parcel by entering the tracking number on canadapost.ca yourself, and it leaves a delivery notice card when it tries to deliver.
Answer: Scam.
The CRA says it will not text you a link and ask you to log in or confirm personal information. To check for a refund, open your CRA My Account by typing canada.ca/my-cra-account into your browser.
Answer: Scam.
A link to deposit money is the trap: the page asks for your online banking sign-in. If you think a transfer is real, open your bank's app or type its address yourself and look there. Money you are owed never needs you to sign in through a text.
Answer: Scam.
Threats about fees and licence plates, plus a link that is not 407etr.com. Many people who get this text have never driven the 407. If you do use it, sign in at 407etr.com by typing the address, or wait for the notice by mail.
Answer: Can't tell.
One text cannot prove anything: it may be an honest mistake. But a friendly wrong-number message from a stranger is a common way to start a chat that later turns to investments or romance and ends in a request for money. Do not reply. Delete it and block the number.
Answer: Legit.
You asked for it, it has no link and it asks you to do nothing except type the code on the site you are already on. The same text arriving when you had not just signed in would mean someone else is trying to get into your account. Never read a code out to anyone who contacts you.
Answer: Scam.
No name, a new number, a reason not to phone, secrecy and gift cards. Call your grandchild on the number you already have, or ask another family member.
Answer: Scam.
You did not apply, the pay is far too good for the work and the chat moves to a messaging app. Real employers rarely recruit by text from a random number. These jobs often end with you being asked to pay money or to move money for someone else.
Seven red flags
One flag is a reason to slow down. Two or more is usually enough to know.
It pushes you to hurry
Deadlines, late fees, a suspended plate or account. Scammers want you to act before you think.
You were not expecting it
A parcel you did not order, a refund you did not ask for, a job you did not apply for, a stranger who knows your name.
It has a link
Even a link that looks close to a real name can be a fake. Type the company's address yourself instead.
It asks for money in a strange way
Gift cards, cryptocurrency and e-Transfers to a person you do not know.
It asks for a code, a password or personal details
A real business will not ask you to read out a code or send your password by text.
It asks you to keep it secret
Secrecy stops you from checking with someone who would say stop.
It threatens you
Arrest, a fine, cutting off your service. Real agencies do not work this way by text.
What to do with a scam text
Don't click and don't reply
Leave the link alone and don't answer, even to say no thanks.
Forward it to 7726
Forward the text to 7726, which spells SPAM on the keypad. It is free in Canada and doesn't count against your data or messaging plan. Your mobile provider uses it to investigate the sender and improve its filters.
Delete it and block the number
Scammers often change numbers, so blocking is a small help. The forward to 7726 does more.
Check the claim yourself if it might be real
Open the company's website or app by typing the address, or call the number on your card or bill. Not the one in the text.
If you lost money or gave details, act quickly
Call your bank first, using the number on the back of your card. Then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or on 1-888-495-8501. If you entered a password, change it from the real site.
Money already sent is the situation where minutes matter. If that's you, see what to do after a scam.
Common questions
Is it safe to forward a scam text to 7726?
Yes. Forwarding a text to 7726 (SPAM) is free in Canada and does not count towards your data or messaging plan. It tells your mobile provider about the message so it can investigate and improve its filters.
Does the CRA send text messages?
The CRA says it will not text you a link and ask you to log in or confirm personal information. It may send a text with a code when you sign in to your own CRA account. If in doubt, go to canada.ca/my-cra-account in your browser and check for messages there.
I am expecting a parcel. How do I check a delivery text?
Do not use the link. Type canadapost.ca into your browser and enter the tracking number yourself. Canada Post also leaves a delivery notice card when it tries to deliver something.
What if I already clicked the link?
If you did not type anything in, close the page and delete the text. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank on the number on the back of your card. If you entered a password, change it now from the real site. Then report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Should I report every scam text to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre?
For a text you ignored, forwarding it to 7726 is enough. Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if you lost money or shared personal or financial details.
Sources
Not sure about one you got?
With the scam check plan you forward me any suspicious message and get a clear answer, with the reason, within one business day. It is C$12 a month and covers up to 4 people.