Messages & accounts
The invitation that steals your account
A message resembling a known invitation service asks for your email password or an account code to reveal party details. It may name a friend.
Know the signsFOR FAMILIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA
A convincing story.
A moment to check.
A familiar voice. A generous offer. An urgent text. Learn what to notice—and what to do next, together.
Clear examples. Official sources. No scare tactics.
ONE HABIT. MANY SCAMS.
Make room for a second thought.
01
Pause.
Before you pay, share a code or install an app, give yourself a moment.
02
Disconnect.
End the call or stop replying. You can check without the caller’s help.
03
Verify.
Use a saved number, your official app or the number on your bill.
EVERYDAY SITUATIONS
It can start with something ordinary.
Shopping & travel
A sticker over the parking code
A fraudulent QR sticker covers the legitimate payment code on a parking meter.
Know the signs
Family & emergencies
“We have your injured pet.”
A supposed animal hospital demands urgent treatment money. Stolen or AI-generated pictures may appear to show your pet in distress.
Know the signsNO JUDGMENT. JUST NEXT STEPS.
Something already happened?
Whether you shared a code, paid someone or gave an app access, start here.
THE SCAM LIBRARY
Recognize the request.
Change the outcome.
28 explainers · Research review 2026-09-19
Recent warnings and established scams.
28 explainers
Family & emergencies
A familiar voice. An urgent request.
Someone sounds like your child or grandchild, says they are in trouble and asks you to keep it secret. AI can imitate a voice; ordinary impersonation works too.
Know the signsMessages & accounts
The phone-bill discount trap
A caller claims to be your mobile provider and offers a discount or new phone. The Rogers “40% off” example is one version of this story.
Know the signsMessages & accounts
“Read me the Apple code.”
A supposed Apple support agent says a code will stop an account attack. A genuine code can be triggered by someone else and does not authenticate the caller.
Know the signsMoney & property
The “safe account” transfer
A supposed bank investigator reports fraud and tells you to move savings to a protected account. Caller ID and partial card details can look convincing.
Know the signsShopping & travel
A small fee for a missing parcel
An unexpected delivery or payment message says a small charge will release your parcel. The linked website may copy a real courier.
Know the signsShopping & travel
The unpaid-toll text
A text claims an overdue road toll needs immediate payment to avoid penalties.
Know the signsMoney & property
Paying to unlock your wages
An unexpected recruiter offers simple online tasks. A platform shows growing earnings and may make a small initial payment. Then it asks for a deposit.
Know the signsMessages & accounts
The urgent tech-support call
An unsolicited caller or alarming pop-up says your device is infected and directs you to a technician.
Know the signsMessages & accounts
The “prove you’re human” trap
A familiar-looking CAPTCHA asks you to paste or run commands for a security check.
Know the signsMessages & accounts
A real permission screen, a malicious app
A shared file or invitation opens a legitimate account permission screen, but the app requesting access belongs to an attacker.
Know the signsMessages & accounts
The invitation that steals your account
A message resembling a known invitation service asks for your email password or an account code to reveal party details. It may name a friend.
Know the signsShopping & travel
A sticker over the parking code
A fraudulent QR sticker covers the legitimate payment code on a parking meter.
Know the signsShopping & travel
An unexpected gift with a QR code
An unsolicited package includes a code to reveal the sender or arrange a return. Some deliveries also support fake reviews made in your name.
Know the signsFamily & emergencies
“We have your injured pet.”
A supposed animal hospital demands urgent treatment money. Stolen or AI-generated pictures may appear to show your pet in distress.
Know the signsFamily & emergencies
The new client who overpays
A supposed parent urgently books childcare, sends a cheque for too much and asks you to refund the difference.
Know the signsMoney & property
Deepfake officials offering recovery
A video impersonating an FBI official sends previous scam victims to a counterfeit complaint site. A supposed investigator may then offer to recover losses.
Know the signsFamily & emergencies
The official threatening arrest
An alleged official claims you missed court or are linked to a crime. Fake credentials and AI-supported video calls can add credibility.
Know the signsMoney & property
An investment courier at your door
An online investment contact says cash collection is needed to fund an account or release profits. A courier arrives with an agreed password.
Know the signsShopping & travel
The copied car dealership
A cloned dealership website copies real branding, photographs and vehicle listings, sometimes using AI.
Know the signsShopping & travel
The unofficial bill-payment portal
A paid search result looks like your utility or service provider’s official payment page but belongs to an unrelated intermediary.
Know the signsMoney & property
The rental with a different landlord
Photos of a real property appear in a new listing with a different contact, attractive rent and pressure to send a deposit.
Know the signsMoney & property
A stranger selling your land
Criminals impersonate vacant-land owners using stolen information and forged identification, then try to sell the property.
Know the signsMoney & property
A permit invoice with real details
A municipal-looking invoice quotes your real permit number, project address and officials’ names obtained from public records.
Know the signsMoney & property
The course promising trading wealth
Lifestyle videos promise financial freedom through paid investment coaching or trading education.
Know the signsMoney & property
A fortune from someone with your name
A supposed lawyer offers to split an unclaimed life-insurance policy belonging to someone who shares your surname.
Know the signsFamily & emergencies
The relief fund that appeared overnight
A donation appeal follows a fire, flood or other disaster. It impersonates a charity or invents one, using urgent emotional messages.
Know the signsShopping & travel
The brand sale in your social feed
A personalized ad offers a desirable product at a steep discount and leads to an impersonated store or counterfeit seller.
Know the signsShopping & travel
The fake airline help number
A paid search ad places a scammer’s phone number or website beside a familiar airline or hotel name.
Know the signsNo matches. Try a broader word such as “phone”, “payment” or “account”.
TAKE THE CONVERSATION HOME
A family guide.
A habit worth sharing.
Twenty illustrated pages, real-world examples and a printable family check-first card.
Open the free family guide ↗OUR FAMILY PROMISE
“You can tell me if something happened. We will deal with it together.”
Start here. Keep talking.