1. Collect your thoughts
2. Contact your financial institutions
3. Contact the police
4. Report the incident
5. Protect yourself from future fraud

Stay calm. Gather all information about the fraud, including:

• documents
• receipts
• copies of emails and/or text messages

Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money.

If you're a victim of identity fraud:

• place flags on all of your accounts
• change all of your passwords
• report the fraud to your credit bureaus

Report the incident to your local police and get a file number for future reference. If you find suspicious activity on your credit report, update your file with the police.

Contact the Anti-Fraud Centre through the fraud Reporting System

Depending on the type of fraud, or how it occurred, you'll also want to report it to other organizations.

Fraud that took place online through a website

Report the incident directly to the administrators of the website. You can do so through a link such as "Report Abuse" or "Report an Ad".

Redirected mail

If you suspect that someone had your mail re-directed, contact your service provider.

You should also notify your service provider (telephone, cell phone, electricity, water, gas, etc.) of the identity fraud.

Lost, stolen, or misused immigration documents

Please contact Citizenship and Immigration Centre if:

• your immigration documents have been lost or stolen
• you suspect someone is fraudulently using them

Lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, report the incident to Passport Office and to your local police.

If you are outside of your country, you must report the loss or theft to the nearest embassey or government office abroad.

Stolen Social Insurance Number

Learn what to do if you suspect someone is using your government identification number.

Lost or stolen provincial or territorial identity documents

These documents include:

• your birth certificate
• your driver's license
• your health card
• other documents issued by a province or territory

Please contact the province or territory that issued the document if:

• the document has been lost or stolen
• you believe someone is fraudulently using this information

You can find contact information on provincial and territorial government websites.

Scammers often target victims of fraud a second or third time with the promise of recovering money. Always do your due diligence and never send recovery money.

Share any updates with the Anti-Fraud Centre, your financial institutions and police.

Tell family, friends, neighbours and co-workers about your experience. You may prevent someone else from becoming a victim.