The journal
Guides

Scams that target newcomers in Canada (and how to stay safe)

Newcomers are a common target for scams in Canada — criminals count on you not yet knowing how things work here. The good news: almost every scam follows a pattern. Here are five common ones and the simple rules that stop them.

Published
August 5, 2026
Read
6 min
By
Passage Team
Topic
Guides

Sadly, newcomers are a common target for scams in Canada. Criminals know that if you are new, you may not yet know how things work here, and they use that against you. The good news is that almost every scam follows a pattern. Once you know the patterns, they are easy to spot and avoid.

Here are five common scams, and the simple rules that stop them.

A person taking a phone call outdoors, looking cautious

The five most common scams

Scam 1 · Fake government or immigration call
A caller claims to be from the government, the tax agency, or immigration, says there is a problem with your file, and demands money right now — by gift card, e-transfer, or crypto — often threatening arrest or deportation to scare you.
The truth: real agencies never demand payment by gift card or e-transfer, and never threaten to arrest or deport you over the phone.
✓Do this: hang up. If you are worried it is real, look up the official number yourself and call directly — never the number the caller gave you.
Scam 2 · The job that asks you to pay
A "job" asks you to pay upfront for training, materials, or a "processing" cost — or to receive money in your account and forward it to someone else.
The truth: a real employer pays you. (Real licences like Smart Serve or a security licence, or a uniform, can cost money — but the job itself never does.) Forwarding money for a stranger can make you part of a crime.
✓Do this: never pay a fee to get a job, and never receive-and-forward money for a stranger.
Scam 3 · The rental scam
You find a great apartment online at a low price. The "landlord" is away and cannot show it, but you can secure it by sending a deposit today. After you send the money, they disappear.
The truth: a real landlord will let you see the place, or arrange a proper viewing, before you pay anything.
✓Do this: never send a deposit for a home you have not seen and a lease you have not signed. If it feels rushed or too cheap, walk away.
Scam 4 · The prize or refund trick
A message says you have won a prize or are owed a refund. To claim it, you just need to share your banking details or pay a small fee first.
The truth: you cannot win a prize you never entered, and no real refund requires you to pay first or hand over your banking password.
✓Do this: ignore it. Never share your banking login, and never pay to receive money.
Scam 5 · Predatory loans and "instant cash"
You are short on money and see an offer for a payday loan or instant cash with no questions asked. It feels like a quick fix.
The truth: these loans charge huge interest and can trap you in a cycle of debt that is very hard to escape.
✓Do this: talk to your bank or a settlement agency about safer options first — there is almost always a better choice.

The golden rules that stop almost every scam

Keep these in mind
●
The government never demands payment by gift card, e-transfer, or cryptocurrency.
●
Never pay a fee to get a job or a SIN.
●
Never send a deposit for housing you have not seen — at least by a live video viewing.
●
Never share your banking password or SIN with someone who contacts you.
●
When you feel unsure or rushed, stop. Hang up and check with an official source.

Trust your instincts

Scammers create fear and a sense of urgency, because they want you to act before you think.

If a message makes you panic and demands money right now, that pressure itself is a warning sign. Take a breath, slow down, and check.

Protecting your money is a skill, and now you know the patterns. Share this with other newcomers you meet — helping each other stay safe is part of building a strong community in Canada.

Scams change over time, so if you are ever unsure, check with your bank's official fraud line or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Passage helps international students study in Canada. We fund tuition and first-year living costs for students in high-demand programs like healthcare, skilled trades, tech, and early childhood education, working with partner schools. Want to see if you qualify? Check your eligibility in a few minutes at go.passage.com.

Continue reading

Join the movement

Take your first step today.

Check your eligibility for top Canadian study programs and see if you qualify for a Passage loan.

Check eligibility