Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Reporting

What is the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre?

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is Canada’s central agency for collecting information on fraud, identity theft, and scams. It is operated jointly by the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Competition Bureau of Canada.

Why reporting matters

Most fraud in Canada goes unreported, the CAFC estimates that fewer than 5% of victims come forward. Every unreported case makes scammers more confident, harder to trace, and more likely to target other Canadians.

Reporting your experience, even if you didn’t lose money, helps Canadian authorities track emerging threats, share warnings with the public, and occasionally recover funds.

How to report

• By phone: 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free, weekdays 10am–4:45pm Eastern)
• Online: Use the Fraud Reporting System at the link below
• By mail: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, PO Box 686, North Bay, ON, P1B 8J8

What to have ready

• Details of what happened (dates, amounts, communication methods)
• Any emails, text messages, or phone numbers from the scammer
• Receipts, transfer records, or account statements
• Whether you’ve already contacted your bank or local police

There is no wrong reason to report. Even attempted fraud, where no money was lost, is valuable data for protecting others.