Fraud, Scam, and Abuse Reporting Resources for Newcomers To Canada
As a newcomer to Canada, it’s important to know your rights and where to get help if you experience scams, fraud, abuse, or exploitation. This guide provides trusted contacts and services to report problems and get legal support—especially helpful for immigrants, refugees, and those new to Canadian systems.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Report: Fraud or scams across Canada.
- Phone: 1-888-495-8501
- Website: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Report: Serious financial scams or crimes
- Phone: 1-888-495-8501
- Website: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm#a1a
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Report: Immigration fraud, overstays, or human trafficking
- Phone: 1-888-502-9060
- Website: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/pyaf-pvcf-eng.html
- Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Report: Immigration fraud or employers who break immigration rules
- Phone: 1-888-242-2100
- Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
- Web Form: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/web-form.asp
- Human Trafficking Hotline
- Report: Human trafficking.
- Phone: 1-833-900-1010
- Website: https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca
Protect yourself in Alberta (for newcomers living in Alberta)
- Service Alberta
- Report: Scams related to employment agencies, rental housing, services, or purchases.
- Phone: 1-877-427-4088 (Toll-Free)
- File a Complaint: https://www.alberta.ca/file-consumer-complaint.aspx
- Check if an agency is licensed: https://www.servicealberta.ca/find-if-business-is-licenced.cfm
ALTERNATIVES FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE
If you need legal help in Alberta, there are several free or low-cost resources available to the general public. These services can assist with issues related to immigration, housing, employment, family matters, and more. Many are designed to support individuals with limited income, including newcomers and vulnerable populations.
- Alberta Justice – Civil Action
- File a Civil Claim: https://albertacourts.ca/cj/areas-of-law/civil/claims/filing
- Find a Lawyer: https://www.lawsociety.ab.ca/public/lawyer-directory/
- Pro Bono Law Alberta
- Services: Pro Bono Clinics / Organizations around Alberta and Legal Resources:
- Location: 1900, 840 – 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G2
- Contact: 403-541-4804
- Website: https://www.pbla.ca/legal-resources
- Legal Aid Alberta
- Services: Legal assistance for qualified low-income individuals across various legal areas
- Phone: 1-866-845-3425
- Website: https://www.legalaid.ab.ca/
Community Legal Centers
- Calgary Legal Guidance
- Services: Free legal advice and information for low-income individuals in Calgary
- Phone: 403-234-9266
- Email: clg@clg.ab.ca
- Website: https://www.clg.ab.ca
- Edmonton Community Legal Centre
- Services: Legal help for low-income people in the Edmonton area (immigration, employment, housing, etc.)
- Phone: 780-702-1725
- Email: intake@eclc.ca
- Website: https://www.eclc.ca
HELPFUL LINKS
- CRA Scams and Fraud: Learn how to recognize, avoid, and report scams pretending to be from the Canada Revenue Agency
- Government of Canada Campaign – Scams and Fraud: General information on common scams in Canada, how to protect yourself, and where to report fraud or suspicious activity.
- Fraud Prevention Tip Sheet (PDF): Tips on how to detect, avoid, and report immigration scams.
- How to Identify Immigration Scams: Official advice on recognizing and avoiding fraudulent immigration websites and services.
- What to do if you’re a victim of fraud: Step-by-step guide on what actions to take if you’ve been scammed, including how to report it and protect yourself from further harm.