Learn how to spot and avoid phishing scams

Protect yourself from phishing scams

an illustration of a large fish hook through an envelope containing an identity document

This Fraud Awareness Month, we’ve been spotlighting some scams to look out for, with tips on how to protect yourself from cybercriminals.

Our final topic: phishing and promo scams.

These scams lure victims with fake offers and alerts to get them to click on malicious links and share their personal details. They might use social media posts, emails, or texts with messages disguised as prize notifications, promotions, or security warnings, and use familiar branding and urgent messaging to catch you off-guard.

The scammers then use this information to gain access to your accounts.

Signs something might be a scam:

You receive a “You’ve won!” message for a contest you never entered

Sender addresses or website links don’t exactly match the official brand

You receive requests to verify your account by clicking a link

Messages or posts contain poor formatting, spelling mistakes, or inconsistent logos

Promotions that seem overly generous or too good to be true

How to protect yourself:

Avoid clicking links in unexpected communications. Instead, visit the official website directly by typing it directly into your browser.

Check sender details carefully before responding, keeping an eye out for spelling mistakes.

Use spam filters and keep your device’s security software up to date.

Be skeptical of urgent or unusually generous offers.

Think you may have fallen victim to a scam? Here’s what to do:

Stop interacting with the message(s)

Change your passwords immediately—especially if you clicked a link

Run an antivirus or security scan on your device

Report the phishing attempt to your bank or the company being impersonated

Report the incident to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

3 ways to help protect your account:

Secure sign‑in:

Set up passkeys and two‑factor authentication (2FA) to help prevent unauthorized logins.

Card controls:

Instantly lock or unlock your card, change your PIN, or report it lost or stolen.

Real‑time alerts:

Receive customized alerts for security activity, transactions, balances, and card purchases to help you spot issues fast.

Discover more ways to protect your account.

Learn more

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