Silence around scams leaves families exposed despite widespread awareness of the benefits of openness, TD survey finds
Most Canadians acknowledge that speaking openly about fraud would make them less likely to fall victim to it, yet the vast majority are simply not doing it, according to new research from TD Bank.
The survey, conducted by Léger between December 2025 and January 2026, polled a nationally representative sample of 1,517 Canadian adults. It found that 62% believe regular family discussions about scams would reduce their sense of vulnerability to fraud, but only 23% report that such exchanges actually happen on a consistent basis.
The gap between intention and reality is even more pronounced among younger Canadians. Three quarters of Gen Z respondents said open family conversations would help them feel better protected, yet more than half said they would be too embarrassed to disclose a personal fraud experience. That compares with 28% of Canadians overall who expressed the same reluctance, pointing to a deeper stigma problem among the generation that often considers itself most digitally literate.
"Talking openly about fraud can help remove stigma and empower more Canadians to spot scams earlier. Even simple conversations can help to build the awareness and confidence to take action when facing a suspicious situation," said Tarundeep Dhot, Vice President of Fraud Management at TD. "Canadians don't have to navigate fraud risks alone. Sharing experiences and tips with people you trust can be a powerful way to stay one step ahead of scammers."
The findings arrive as scam tactics grow increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters deploying artificial intelligence and social engineering techniques that can deceive even financially experienced individuals. TD is using the results to push for a cultural shift, encouraging Canadians to treat fraud prevention as an ordinary topic of household conversation rather than something to be concealed out of embarrassment.
The bank points to practical steps households can take, including raising recent suspicious calls, texts, or emails as conversation starters and keeping those discussions ongoing and free of judgment. For clients who have already been targeted, TD advises contacting a financial institution immediately and reporting incidents to relevant authorities, noting that speed of response can limit losses and potentially prevent the same tactics from reaching others.
