Campaign urges Canadians to report scams as annual losses climb and AI fuels more convincing fraud
Canadian authorities are intensifying efforts to combat fraud as mounting losses and increasingly sophisticated scams continue to threaten consumers and businesses nationwide.
March marks the 22nd annual Fraud Prevention Month and the Competition Bureau, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are collaborating to raise awareness and encourage reporting of fraudulent activity across the country.
Officials say fraud remains one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in Canada, often occurring quietly through everyday digital interactions or cross-border schemes that make detection difficult.
New figures highlight the scale of the issue. Canadians reported losses exceeding $704 million in 2025, while total reported fraud losses since 2022 have surpassed $2.4 billion, according to the CAFC. However, authorities warn that these numbers likely represent only a small portion of the real damage, as an estimated 5% to 10% of fraud incidents are ever reported.
Separate reports suggest that Canadians are growing numb to scams as fraud rises and older adults screen visitors.
Fraud Prevention Month aims to address that gap by equipping Canadians with practical guidance on recognizing scams, refusing suspicious requests and reporting incidents to investigators. The campaign also highlights the growing complexity of fraud schemes, ranging from investment scams and identity theft to romance fraud and impersonation of government officials.
Over 80 organizations across Canada take part in the initiative each year, pooling resources and expertise to keep fraud prevention on the public agenda for consumers and businesses alike.
“AI has armed fraudsters with powerful tools to create highly convincing impersonations and deceptive marketing schemes. Canadians must stay vigilant. When people report fraud, they’re not just protecting themselves, they’re helping stop it," says Jeanne Pratt, Acting Commissioner of Competition.
Authorities say most Canadians have encountered fraud in some capacity—whether as victims themselves, through their workplaces or by witnessing scams targeting others. Greater reporting is essential to understand the scale of the problem and help law enforcement disrupt criminal networks.
“Most Canadians have encountered fraud in some form, whether as a victim themselves, as part of a business, or as a witness to another’s experience. Fraud Prevention Month is about bringing these stories together, not only to understand the full scope of the problem, but also to empower Canadians to fight back. Follow along this month to learn more about the latest fraud trends, how to protect yourself and where you can report," says Marie-Claude Dandenault, Deputy Commissioner, Specialized Policing Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
According to authorities, identity fraud, investment fraud and service fraud were the most frequently reported scams last year. Meanwhile, investment fraud, romance fraud and job scams generated the highest financial losses.
Officials are urging Canadians who suspect they have been targeted by a scam to contact local police and submit a report through Canada’s national cybercrime reporting system—even if no money was lost. Reporting incidents, they say, helps investigators uncover patterns, link cases and prevent further victims.
As fraud tactics evolve—particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence and digital impersonation—authorities say vigilance and reporting will remain the most powerful tools in limiting the growing impact of financial crime.
