A familiar voice
AI can imitate a loved one asking for urgent help. End the call and call them back using a saved number.
Digital Fraud Awareness campaign
The cost of scams
in Canada.
Fraud takes savings and affects lives.
Understanding the scale helps us act.
Reported lost in 2025Canadian dollars · All agesCanadian Anti-Fraud Centre data
Explore the impact · 2024
See where older adults
fit in the picture.
Hover to preview. Click or tap a circle to keep its details open. You can also use the buttons below.
The circles use 2024 data so national and older-adult figures cover the same year. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
The layers show what is included. Areas are not to scale. The outer circle is an estimate.
The wider cost of fraud: $6.43–12.86bn. Illustrative estimate · 2024 · CAD. Most fraud goes unreported. If reported dollars represented 5–10% of all losses, the $643 million reported in 2024 would imply a total of $6.43–12.86 billion. This is a calculation to illustrate the possible scale, not a measured total or an official CAFC dollar estimate. The reporting rate may differ between small and large losses.
Sources and how to read the estimates
The outer circle shows a possible total above $1 billion. The illustrative range is calculated as $643 million ÷ 10% = $6.43 billion and $643 million ÷ 5% = $12.86 billion. Applying a reporting rate to dollars assumes reported and unreported frauds have comparable losses. That assumption is uncertain.
The 5–10% reporting figure describes fraud reporting; it does not establish the exact share of money reported. No unreported-loss estimate for adults aged 60+ is included.
The latest national headline uses 2025 data. The nested comparison uses 2024 figures from government publications so years are not mixed. Older adults are defined here as ages 60 and over.
- Competition Bureau, March 6, 2026: over $704 million reported in 2025
- Finance Canada, October 2025: $643 million reported in 2024
- Government of Canada, February 2026: at least $179.9 million lost by adults aged 60+ in 2024
Sources checked September 17, 2026. Totals may be revised.
AI scam awareness
A voice or video
can be faked.
Artificial intelligence can help scammers imitate people and create believable messages. You do not need to spot every fake. Pause an unexpected request and check it through a separate, trusted contact.
A convincing video
AI can make a public figure appear to endorse an investment. Check the claim independently before following a link or sending money.
A personal message
AI can write polished messages that use details about you. Open the organization’s official app or contact it using details you already trust.
A convincing voice, clear video, or perfect spelling is not proof of identity. Check the request before sharing money, passwords, or verification codes.
What you can do
Help someone check
before they act.
Recognize the pressure
Watch for requests to act urgently, keep a secret, send money, or share a verification code. Take time to check.
Contact someone you trust
Agree on who to call if a message seems suspicious. Use a phone number you already know, not one provided by the caller.
Get help quickly
If money was sent, contact the financial institution immediately. Report the incident to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Support the person without blame.
Take part
Bring scam awareness
to your community.
We are developing interviews and workshops with older adults, families, and community groups.
All-in-one protection · In development
Get help reviewing suspicious calls, texts, and emails in one place.
Safeguard is being developed to bring all three into one service, with clear warnings and support from a trusted contact. You will be able to keep using your existing landline or mobile phone. We will release the software when the complete tool works together.
Explore the protection tool