When should I use the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for a scam or identity theft concern?

Use the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) website when you are in Canada and want to check whether a scam or identity theft situation matches known fraud patterns, or when you want to understand what kinds of fraud are currently affecting Canadians. The site is a national information and reporting resource: it collects information on fraud and identity theft and provides information on past and current scams. It is a starting point for understanding a situation, not an emergency service or a guarantee that money will be recovered.

What the CAFC website is for

The CAFC describes itself as collecting information on fraud and identity theft, and providing information on past and current scams affecting Canadians. That gives you two practical uses:

• Checking a suspicious situation against known scams. If someone contacted you, asked for payment, or tried to use your identity, the site's scam information can help you see whether the pattern is already documented.
• Understanding the wider fraud landscape. The site covers both past and current frauds, so it is useful for context rather than only for one incident.

The site does not present itself as an emergency responder or as the agency that investigates every individual case. Treat it as an information and reporting channel, and use local police or your bank for urgent losses.

When it fits your situation

How to use the site

1. Open the site and choose your language. The landing page is a language selection screen with two options: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (English) and Centre antifraude du Canada (French). Pick the one you read most comfortably.
2. Read the scam information before deciding your next step. The site provides information on past and current scams, so you can compare your situation with documented patterns.
3. Decide what action the situation needs. If money or identity documents are at immediate risk, contact your bank and local police. Use the CAFC to add your information and to learn about the fraud type.
4. Note the terms of use. The English entry links to "Terms and conditions of use" and the French entry links to "Conditions régissant l'utilisation" — worth a quick read if you plan to submit information.

Common sticking points

• Expecting case-by-case investigation. The CAFC collects information on fraud and identity theft; that is different from running your individual investigation.
• Skipping the scam pages. Many people want to report immediately. Reading the current scam information first often clarifies whether your situation is a known pattern and what the usual next steps are.
• Using it as a first call in an emergency. If money is actively leaving your account, your bank and police come first.
• Language confusion. The landing page is only a language choice, not the main content. Choose English or French to reach the actual CAFC material.

A quick example

Suppose you get a text claiming to be from a delivery company asking for a small "redelivery fee" by card. Before paying or replying, you open the CAFC site, choose English or French, and look through the current scam information. If the pattern matches a documented fraud, you have a clearer basis for ignoring it and for reporting the details. If it does not match, you still have the option to submit the information so it can be compared with other reports.

Bottom line

Use the CAFC website when you are in Canada and want to check a scam or identity theft concern against known frauds, or when you want to report information about a fraud affecting Canadians. Choose English or French on the landing page, read the scam information first, and handle urgent money or identity risks through your bank and local police.