November is Monetary Literacy Month (FLM), and this yr’s “Speak Cash” marketing campaign encourages Canadians to have open conversations about cash and the monetary choices that have an effect on their on a regular basis lives. As a part of #FLM2026, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is elevating consciousness about funding fraud and inspiring Canadians to debate monetary alternatives, acknowledge warning indicators and share data to assist defend themselves and others.
Investment fraud continues to account for the best reported monetary losses in Canada, with greater than $1.6 billion in losses reported to the CAFC since 2021. In 2025 alone, Canadians reported $351 million in funding fraud losses. Cryptocurrency-related funding fraud accounts for almost all of those losses and stays a major concern. Fraudsters use social media, on-line commercials, faux buying and selling platforms and private relationships to advertise fraudulent funding alternatives. Speaking brazenly about investments and sharing experiences with pals, members of the family and colleagues may also help others acknowledge fraud earlier than shedding cash. These conversations can even cut back the stigma related to fraud and encourage victims to come back ahead.
Warning Indicators
Be cautious of funding alternatives that contain:
- Guarantees of assured, excessive or risk-free returns.
- Unsolicited funding provides acquired by social media, on-line commercials, textual content messages or courting platforms.
- People who rapidly construct belief or develop private relationships earlier than introducing funding alternatives.
- Stress to speculate instantly or claims that a possibility is on the market for a restricted time.
- Requests to open cryptocurrency accounts, buy cryptocurrency or switch funds to unfamiliar digital wallets.
- Investment web sites or buying and selling platforms displaying important earnings however stopping you from withdrawing your cash.
- Requests to pay further charges, taxes or deposits earlier than accessing or withdrawing your funding funds.
- People impersonating monetary advisors, celebrities or different trusted figures to advertise funding alternatives.
Learn how to Defend Your self
- Be cautious of funding alternatives that promise excessive returns with little or no danger. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
- By no means make investments cash primarily based on strain or urgency. Take time to analysis the chance earlier than making a monetary resolution.
- Confirm that the person or firm providing an funding is registered with the suitable securities regulator. Go to the Canadian Securities Directors’ web site at aretheyregistered.ca to verify registration.
- Analysis the funding firm, buying and selling platform and people concerned. Be cautious of faux web sites, on-line critiques and testimonials.
- Be cautious of people you meet by courting apps or social media who encourage you to spend money on cryptocurrency.
- By no means present distant entry to your laptop or cellular machine to somebody providing funding recommendation or help.
- Don’t ship cryptocurrency to digital wallets or accounts managed by people you have no idea or belief.
- Converse with a trusted monetary skilled earlier than making funding choices, significantly when contemplating unfamiliar alternatives.
- Speak brazenly about funding fraud with family and friends. Sharing details about fraud makes an attempt and warning indicators may also help defend others from turning into victims.
Keep knowledgeable about present fraud developments and prevention suggestions by visiting antifraudcentre.ca and share this data with others.
Report Fraud
For those who or somebody you realize has been a sufferer of funding fraud, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Even when no cash was misplaced, fraud makes an attempt ought to nonetheless be reported. Stories assist the CAFC establish rising fraud developments, assist legislation enforcement investigations and develop prevention messaging to warn Canadians. By reporting fraud, sharing experiences and having open conversations, we may also help cut back the stigma related to fraud and forestall others from turning into victims.
Report fraud and cybercrime on-line at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or contact the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501.
