Fraud & Safety (Canada/BC)
Protect yourself from scams and fraud targeting students. Learn common scam tactics, red flags, and how to report fraud. If something feels off, trust your instincts.
🚨Common Scams Targeting Students in BC
Scammers often target students because they may be new to handling money, housing, or job searches. Being aware of common scams helps you protect yourself.
Job Scams
Fake job offers that ask for upfront fees, personal information, or seem too good to be true.
- Work-from-home scams asking for "training fees"
- Fake job postings that ask for SIN, bank account info before hiring
- Pyramid schemes disguised as "business opportunities"
Rental Scams
Fake rental listings that ask for deposits before viewing, or use stolen photos.
- Landlord "out of country" asking for wire transfer
- Rent that's suspiciously low for the area
- Pressure to send money immediately without viewing
Immigration Scams
Fake immigration consultants or "government" calls demanding payment or personal information.
- Phone calls claiming to be from IRCC demanding immediate payment
- Fake immigration consultants charging high fees for "guaranteed" results
- Emails asking for study permit numbers, SIN, or bank details
CRA (Tax) Scams
Fake calls or emails claiming you owe taxes and must pay immediately.
- Phone calls demanding immediate payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Threats of arrest or deportation if you don't pay
- Emails with fake CRA logos asking for personal information
Scholarship/Financial Aid Scams
Fake scholarships that require upfront fees or personal information.
- "You've won a scholarship" emails asking for processing fees
- Fake financial aid services charging for "guaranteed" aid
- Requests for bank account info to "deposit" scholarship money
What to Do Now:
- ✓Never send money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you don't know
- ✓Verify all job offers, rental listings, and services independently
- ✓Government agencies (CRA, IRCC) will never call demanding immediate payment
- ✓If something seems too good to be true, it probably is
- ✓Trust your instincts - if something feels off, step back and verify
🚩Red Flags Checklist
Watch for these warning signs. If you see multiple red flags, it's likely a scam.
- ⚠️Asks for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- ⚠️Pressure tactics: "act now" or "limited time offer"
- ⚠️Too good to be true: unexpected prize, scholarship, or job offer
- ⚠️Requests personal info: SIN, bank account, passwords, credit card numbers
- ⚠️Poor grammar, spelling errors, or unprofessional communication
- ⚠️Asks you to keep it secret or not tell anyone
- ⚠️Unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be government, bank, or university official
- ⚠️Requests payment upfront before you receive anything
- ⚠️Offers money but asks you to send some back first
- ⚠️Can't meet in person or view property/job location
- ⚠️Threats of arrest, deportation, or legal action if you don't comply
🆘What to Do If You Were Scammed
If you've been scammed, act quickly. Don't be embarrassed - scammers are skilled at what they do. Reporting helps protect others and may help you recover losses.
What to Do Now:
- ✓Stop all communication - Don't reply to calls, texts, emails, or messages from the scammer
- ✓Don't send any more money - Scammers may try to get more by promising to return your money
- ✓Take screenshots - Save all messages, emails, and website screenshots as evidence
- ✓Report immediately - Contact local police (911 for emergency, non-emergency line otherwise) and report to Report Cybercrime & Fraud portal
- ✓Check your accounts - Review bank accounts, credit cards, and credit reports for unauthorized activity
- ✓Notify your bank - If you've shared banking info, call your bank immediately to freeze accounts if needed
- ✓Contact your school - Report scams targeting students to your Student Services office
- ✓Report to Consumer Protection BC - For consumer fraud and scam reporting in BC
📞Reporting Links
Report fraud and scams to help law enforcement track scammers and protect others. Multiple reporting channels are available.
What to Do Now:
- ✓Report online through the official Report Cybercrime & Fraud portal (RCMP/CAFC)
- ✓Contact local police if you've lost money or feel unsafe
- ✓Report consumer fraud to Consumer Protection BC
- ✓If it's an immigration-related scam, verify consultants are authorized through IRCC or CICC
- ✓Keep all documentation and report numbers for follow-up
Useful Links:
Related Guides:
🛡️Safety Resources
Beyond fraud prevention, know your safety resources on campus and in the community. Many schools offer safety services like safe walk programs, emergency contacts, and security support.
What to Do Now:
- ✓Save your school's campus security number in your phone
- ✓Check if your school offers safe walk programs or security escorts
- ✓Know where emergency phones are located on campus
- ✓For emergencies, call 911; for non-emergencies, use local police non-emergency line
- ✓Trust your instincts - if a situation feels unsafe, leave and get help