Resources

Practical guides for staying safe online and recovering if something goes wrong.

Prevention

These guides help you recognize common scams and protect yourself before something happens.

Coming soon

Red flag reference card

A one-page card showing the most common scam warning signs, with examples. Designed to print and keep near your phone or computer.

Interactive

How to spot a phishing text

A simulated SMS conversation with a scammer pretending to be from Canada Post, the CRA, or a bank. Practice spotting the red flags.

Learn more about our simulator
Interactive

Rental scam detection

A mock Facebook Marketplace listing and chat. Practice how to tell if a rental listing is real, and what information a real landlord will and won't ask for.

Learn more about our simulator
Interactive

Immigration fraud warning signs

A simulated WhatsApp conversation with a fraudulent immigration consultant. Learn what licensed consultants look like versus scammers.

Learn more about our simulator

If you've been scammed

If something has already happened, here's what to do. These steps are specific to Canada.

  1. Contact your bank

    If you shared financial information or sent money, call your bank immediately. They may be able to stop or reverse a transaction. The number is on the back of your bank card.

  2. Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

    Call 1-888-495-8501 or report online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. This is a federal government service. Reporting helps protect others.

  3. Freeze your credit

    Contact Equifax Canada (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion Canada (1-800-663-9980) to place a fraud alert on your credit file. This prevents scammers from opening accounts in your name.

  4. Report identity theft to police

    File a report with your local police service. You'll need this report number for some of the next steps. In Toronto, you can file online through the Toronto Police Service website.

  5. Secure your accounts

    Change the passwords on any accounts that may be affected. Start with your email, then bank accounts, then anything else. If you need help doing this, bring your device to one of our workshops and we'll walk through it with you.

These steps can feel overwhelming. You don't have to do them all at once, and you don't have to do them alone. Reach out to us at info@techguides.ca if you need help figuring out where to start.