Report Fraud in Canada: CAFC, Police and Who Else

Key facts, from pages we opened on 5 October 2026

CAFC: “If you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, please contact your local police as soon as possible.”
CAFC phone, toll-free: 1-888-495-8501, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern time, closed holidays. Online: reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca; anonymous reporting is available.
The CAFC operates with the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Competition Bureau of Canada, and its repository can link crimes together in Canada and abroad.
IRCC lists the CBSA Border Watch Line as the primary channel for immigration fraud in Canada.

The two reports almost everyone should make

Local police. The CAFC says local police investigate incidents and the CAFC maintains a central repository of information to assist investigations. If you lost money or identity documents, report to the police first.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Use the online system or phone. The CAFC says you can report even if you did not fall victim, and online reports can be anonymous.

When you report, have the date, amount, payment method, the seller's names, numbers and web addresses, and screenshots. Use the first-hour checklist if you have not secured the account yet.

Who else, by type of scam

If it concerns	Also report to	Source we read
Fake text or website pretending to be a provincial agency	Local police; the agency (ICBC encourages affected customers to contact police)	ICBC notice
A look-alike passport site or other deceptive marketing	Competition Bureau online complaint form; local police or the Report Cybercrime and Fraud website for fraud	Competition Bureau release, 28 July 2026
Immigration fraud in Canada, marriages of convenience, false application information	CBSA Border Watch Line	IRCC report-fraud page
Citizenship fraud	IRCC's citizenship fraud tip email, the IRCC Client Support Centre, and the CAFC	IRCC report-fraud page
A paid immigration representative who is not licensed or who misbehaves	IRCC online form (secure.cic.gc.ca/ClientContact), the Border Watch Line, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants or the provincial law society	IRCC report-fraud page
Someone working as a nurse without registration (Ontario)	CNO: investigations-intake@cnomail.org	CNO unregistered practitioners page
A seller of CELPIP or IELTS results	CELPIP's test-security page; IELTS at security.ielts@idp.com or a test centre	CELPIP and IDP pages
A SIN scam call	CAFC; ESDC's SIN program contact page; the Privacy Commissioner for complaints	ESDC protecting your SIN
A fake IDP seller using CAA's name	CAA and the CAFC	CAA page

What your report does and does not do

It adds to a national picture. The CAFC says reports support crime forecasting and prevention and can link crimes in Canada and abroad.
It does not guarantee an investigation of your case or a refund. Police decide how to proceed.
It does not replace the bank call. Dispute windows run on the bank's clock.

What to have ready

The date and time, the amount and the payment method (card, transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card).
Names, phone numbers, email addresses and web addresses the seller used, copied exactly.
Screenshots of the advert, the chat and the payment confirmation.
What you sent: documents, photos, a signature, a Social Insurance Number.

If you are not sure it is a scam

The CAFC says you can report scams even if you did not fall victim, so a suspicious text or website is a valid report. Compare it with the red flags and with the official route in how to check a Canadian document.

If you also want to tell us

You can send a link or a description through our contact form, but never send ID or payment details. We do not investigate individual cases, recover money or give legal advice, and we forward nothing on your behalf. Report first to the authorities above.

The wording on those agencies' pages can change. If a phone number or address here no longer works, search for the agency by name and use the contact details on its own site.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report fraud in Canada?

Contact your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, by phone at 1-888-495-8501 or online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca. Anonymous online reporting is available.

Do I report to the police or the CAFC first?

The CAFC says to contact local police as soon as possible if you were a victim; the CAFC then keeps a central repository that can link crimes together.

Can I report a scam if I did not lose money?

Yes. The CAFC says you can report scams even if you did not fall victim.

Where do I report immigration fraud in Canada?

IRCC lists the CBSA Border Watch Line as the primary channel for immigration fraud inside Canada, the CAFC for scams, and the licensing body for representative misconduct.

What are the CAFC's hours?

Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern time, closed holidays, according to the CAFC page we opened on 5 October 2026.

Does Truthdocuments investigate reports?

No. We do not investigate individual cases, recover money or give legal advice. Report to the police and the CAFC first.

Sources and official links

About the author
Written by Mark Dent from the Criminal Code of Canada, provincial and federal government pages, regulator notices and court reporting. We do not sell, issue or arrange any licence, certificate or other document, and we are not a government body. Read the editorial policy, or report a mistake.