Showing what to do in Canada. Somewhere else?
Where to report it in Canada is being checked by our editors and will appear here soon. The other steps apply everywhere.
Straight away
Scammers often come back with a second story, such as a fake service that offers to recover your money for a fee. Nobody genuine asks you to pay to get your money back.
Use the number on the back of your card or on the bank's own website. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping the payment or getting it back.
Then sign out of other devices. Our guide "My account has been hacked" has the full steps.
Take screenshots of the messages, the sender's number or address, any website links and your payment receipts. Don't delete the conversation yet.
Report it
Social networks, marketplaces and messaging apps all have a report option. It helps get the scammer removed.
Afterwards
People who have been scammed are often contacted again, sometimes by someone pretending to be the police, your bank or a recovery service.
Scams are very common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Telling others helps protect them.
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Last checked 2 November 2026 · Something wrong?