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– Canadians continue to report feeling vulnerable to scams and identity threats –
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TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadians are facing a flood of scam attempts, with one in three reporting fraudulent job or CRA-related texts in the past three months alone, according to new research from Equifax Canada.
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The Equifax Cybersecurity Survey*, reveals a growing preparedness gap in what to do in cases of scams or fraud. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians surveyed say they would contact the police if their identity was stolen, and half would reach out to a credit bureau. Of those surveyed, 79 per cent stated they would contact their bank, however nine per cent admit they wouldn’t know what to do at all.
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One in four Canadians surveyed also reported receiving scam emails, while a further 13 per cent admit to clicking on a fraudulent link, and six per cent say they have already had their identity stolen.
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“We can’t treat scams as background noise anymore,” says Julie Kuzmic, Head of Consumer Advocacy and Compliance at
Equifax Canada. “We are seeing a strong public sentiment that the threat of fraud is happening in real time on our phones, in our inboxes, and also targets our children. Canadians are telling us these threats feel constant and personal, and too many are left wondering what to do when they’re targeted.”
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The survey also shows a near-universal sense of risk with 97 per cent of those surveyed saying that protecting themselves online is important, and 93 per cent report that protecting their family online is important:
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- 82 per cent worry about children being taken advantage of online.
- 75 per cent worry about their information being hacked from their personal computer.
- 71 per cent worry about someone using technology to trick them into giving away personal information.
- 61 per cent worry about someone impersonating them on social media.
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“Fraud today is deeply personal. It’s arriving by text, email, or social media in ways that feel familiar and authentic,” noted Kuzmic. “Our research shows that the broader community’s biggest concern is protecting their families, especially children, from being taken advantage of online. That’s a fear we need to address head-on with the right tools and solutions to protect ourselves and our families.”
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Protecting yourself and your family
The best defence against scams is educating yourself and being cautious.
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- Verify everything: Independently verify unsolicited requests. Government agencies/banks will never ask for personal info via email/text, or demand gift cards/cryptocurrency. For businesses, go directly to their official website if an account issue is suspected.
- Don’t be pressured: Legitimate organizations allow time for verification.
- Build a shield: Use strong passwords and logins, secure your Wi-Fi and be careful what you share.
- Educate yourself: Stay informed about current scams.
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Equifax was one of the top names mentioned in the survey when Canadians think of ID and online protection services. “As fraud threats continue to evolve, Equifax is committed to helping educate Canadians, and providing them with solutions that can help them monitor their credit and protect their identity,” said Kuzmic. “Knowing that so many people surveyed are worried about their children being taken advantage of online, considering an identity protection subscription service such as Equifax Complete Protection can be helpful. As well, our Identity Theft Protection page has important information on how identity theft happens, tools to help prevent it, and what to do if your identity is stolen.”
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