Scammers impersonating government officials to steal money and personal info, officials say
Canadian authorities are sounding the alarm over a wave of sophisticated scams targeting residents across Ontario and Canada, with fraudsters impersonating federal officials in calls, emails, and text messages.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued an urgent warning Monday, advising the public to be vigilant against scams designed to steal personal data or demand payments.
“These scammers are impersonating CBSA employees,” officials stated. “They use fake phone numbers, names, and even CBSA logos or email addresses to trick people into handing over sensitive information.”
Red flags include:
- Requests for personal details like SINs, credit card numbers, bank accounts, or passport numbers
- Demands for immediate payment or threats of legal action or jail time
The CBSA emphasized that it never contacts people by phone, text, or email to request personal or financial information.
“If someone asks for your SIN or credit card info over the phone or email claiming to be from CBSA—it’s a scam,” the agency said in a post on social media.
While CBSA may reach out to importers or recipients to clarify package declaration details, officials stress they do not collect duties or taxes directly. That role belongs to Canada Post, which handles any applicable fees before delivering packages.
Officials also warned that new scams appear daily, many designed to mimic federal agencies in order to gain victims’ trust.
To protect yourself:
- Hang up immediately if something feels suspicious
- Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown emails
- Never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts