Impersonation Scams in Canada: Fake Bank Investigators, Police and 'Emergency' Calls
Impersonation scams are among the costliest frauds reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). In the 'bank investigator' scam, a caller posing as your bank's fraud department or the police says an employee is stealing from your account and asks for your help — by withdrawing cash, buying crypto, sending an Interac e-Transfer, or handing your debit card to a courier. In the 'emergency' or 'grandparent' scam, a caller poses as a grandchild or a lawyer needing bail money. Scammers use spoofed caller ID showing RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC or Desjardins numbers, so the call can look real.
Real Scam Message Examples
These are real examples of messages used in this type of scam. If you receive something similar, do not click any links.
Example 1
“TD Fraud Alert: Did you attempt a purchase of $1,289.99 at Best Buy? Reply YES or NO. If NO, a fraud agent will contact you shortly.”
Example 2
“This is Constable Martin with the RCMP financial crimes unit. An employee at your RBC branch is stealing from customers. We need you to withdraw $6,000 so we can mark the bills. Do not tell the teller.”
Example 3
“Grandma it's me, I'm in trouble. I was in a car accident and I'm being held. Please don't tell Mom. My lawyer will call you about the bail — it's $9,500.”
Warning Signs of an Impersonation Scam in Canada
- ⚠Your 'bank' or 'police' asks you to help with an investigation by withdrawing cash, buying crypto or sending an e-Transfer
- ⚠You're asked to give your debit or credit card to a courier or driver who comes to your home
- ⚠The caller tells you not to tell branch staff why you're withdrawing money because they're 'under investigation'
- ⚠A grandchild, relative or 'lawyer' calls needing urgent bail money and asks you to keep it secret
- ⚠Caller ID shows your bank's real number — but the caller asks for your PIN, a verification code or remote access
How Does This Scam Work?
- 1It often begins with a fake fraud-alert text, or a call where caller ID is spoofed to show your bank or a police service
- 2The caller creates an emergency: an unauthorised transaction, a corrupt employee, or a relative in custody
- 3You're asked to 'secure' your money or 'help catch' a criminal by withdrawing cash, buying crypto at a Bitcoin ATM, sending e-Transfers, or surrendering your card
- 4A courier, 'officer' or ride-share driver may come to collect cash or cards; you're told to keep everything secret
- 5Money and cards are used immediately; victims are sometimes contacted again with a fake 'recovery' investigation
Legitimate vs Scam: How to Tell the Difference
| Aspect | ✓ Legitimate | ✗ Scam |
|---|---|---|
| Investigations | Banks and police never ask customers to help catch a suspect by withdrawing money | Asks you to withdraw cash or buy crypto to 'help the investigation' |
| Cards | Your bank will never send a courier to pick up your card | A courier or driver comes to collect your debit or credit card |
| Security codes | Banks never ask for your PIN, password or one-time verification code | Asks you to read out a code texted to you to 'stop' a transaction |
| Secrecy | Bank staff will ask about unusual withdrawals to protect you | Tells you to lie to bank staff or keep the call secret from family |
What Should You Do?
- ✓Hang up and call your bank on the number on the back of your card — from a different phone if possible
- ✓For a 'grandchild' call, hang up and call the family member or their parents directly on a number you already have
- ✓Paste the suspicious message into ScamCheck for an instant verdict
- ✓Never hand your card, PIN or cash to a courier or 'officer'. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
- ✓Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501, antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) and to your local police if you lost money or someone is coming to collect cards or cash
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Check it now — it's free →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAFC and how do I report to it?
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is the national centre that collects fraud and scam reports and shares them with police, jointly managed by the RCMP, the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police. You can report online through antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or call toll-free 1-888-495-8501. Reporting helps police link cases, even if you didn't lose money.
What is the bank investigator scam?
A caller pretends to be your bank's fraud department or the police and asks you to help investigate a dishonest employee or suspicious transaction — by withdrawing money, buying crypto, sending e-Transfers or giving up your card. Real banks and police never ask for this.
My caller ID showed my bank's number — could it still be a scam?
Yes. Scammers can spoof caller ID to display any number, including your bank's. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card yourself.
Should I call the CAFC or the police first?
If money has been lost or someone is on their way to collect cash or cards, contact your bank and your local police first, then report to the CAFC. If there's an immediate threat, call 911.
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