--- title: "How to spot a scam text message in Canada ยท Jeyki Security" description: "Try a short quiz with realistic Canadian scam texts, learn the red flags, and see what to do: don't click, forward to 7726, and report it." url: "https://jeyki.ca/guides/how-to-spot-a-scam-text-message-canada" --- 1. [Home](https://jeyki.ca/) 2. [Guides](https://jeyki.ca/guides) 3. How to spot a scam text message in Canada 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. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Written by Jeyki Security, free to use and print. [Email this to a parent](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20spot%20a%20scam%20text%20message%20in%20Canada&body=Hi%2C%20I%20thought%20this%20free%20guide%20would%20help%20you%3A%0A%0AHow%20to%20spot%20a%20scam%20text%20message%20in%20Canada%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fjeyki.ca%2Fguides%2Fhow-to-spot-a-scam-text-message-canada%0A%0AIt%20is%20written%20for%20people%20in%20Canada%20and%20takes%20a%20few%20minutes.)Share or copy linkPrint this guide ## 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. 1. 1. Is this message a scam? > From +1 (604) 555-0163 > > Canada Post: Your parcel is on hold because the address is incomplete. Update it within 24 hours or it will be returned: canadapost-redeliver.info/ca ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 2. 2. Is this message a scam? > From CRA-Refund > > CRA: You are eligible for a tax refund of $412.50. Claim it now at cra-refund-claim.ca/secure ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 3. 3. Is this message a scam? > From +1 (778) 555-0119 > > You have received an Interac e-Transfer of $250.00 from J. Singh. Deposit it here within 30 minutes: interac-deposit.co/claim ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 4. 4. Is this message a scam? > From +1 (289) 555-0174 > > 407 ETR: Unpaid toll balance of $11.20. Pay today to avoid a late fee and licence plate suspension: 407etr-pay.info ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 5. 5. Is this message a scam? > From +1 (587) 555-0138 > > Hi Sarah, are we still on for Thursday? Let me know :) ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 6. 6. Is this message a scam? You just tried to sign in to your email and asked for a code. > From 22395 > > Your verification code is 482913. Do not share this code with anyone. If you did not request it, ignore this message. ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 7. 7. Is this message a scam? > From Unknown number > > Hi Grandma it's me. My phone broke, this is my new number. Can't call right now. > > I'm in trouble and need $900 today for a fee. Please don't tell Mom. Can you buy gift cards? ScamLegitCan't tell 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. 8. 8. Is this message a scam? > From +1 (236) 555-0182 > > Hello, we found your resume online. Work from home, earn $300 to $800 a day, no experience needed. Message our manager on WhatsApp to start today. ScamLegitCan't tell 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. Try again ## Seven red flags One flag is a reason to slow down. Two or more is usually enough to know. 1. ### It pushes you to hurry Deadlines, late fees, a suspended plate or account. Scammers want you to act before you think. 2. ### 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. 3. ### 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. 4. ### It asks for money in a strange way Gift cards, cryptocurrency and e-Transfers to a person you do not know. 5. ### 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. 6. ### It asks you to keep it secret Secrecy stops you from checking with someone who would say stop. 7. ### 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 1. ### Don't click and don't reply Leave the link alone and don't answer, even to say no thanks. 2. ### 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. 3. ### Delete it and block the number Scammers often change numbers, so blocking is a small help. The forward to 7726 does more. 4. ### 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. 5. ### 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](https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca) or on [1-888-495-8501](tel:+18884958501). 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](https://jeyki.ca/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 1. [Reporting spam text messages to 7726, Get Cyber Safe (Government of Canada)](https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en/blogs/reporting-spam-text-messages-7726) 2. [Recognizing spam, fraudulent emails and text messages, Canada Post](https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/company-policies/privacy-security/what-do-to-if-you-get-suspicious-email.page) 3. [Recognize a scam, Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/recognize-scam.html) 4. [Fraud awareness, 407 ETR](https://www.407etr.com/en/fraud-awareness) 5. [Report cybercrime and fraud, National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System](https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/) ## Related guides - [Email hacked? A free Canadian checklist](https://jeyki.ca/guides/email-hacked-canadian-checklist) Secure the account, protect your money, and tell the right people. Saves your progress and prints. - [Recovering a hacked Facebook, Instagram, or Meta account](https://jeyki.ca/guides/recover-hacked-facebook-instagram-meta-account) Official recovery steps for a taken-over Facebook, Instagram, or Threads account, plus practical ways to secure it once access is restored. ## 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. [See the scam check plan](https://jeyki.ca/services#scam-check)