Bank and Browse with Confidence
Simple ways to stay secure and recognize suspicious activity.
Staying secure online starts with a few simple habits. Knowing what to look for, protecting your personal and financial information, and taking a moment before responding to an unexpected request can go a long way.
Scams can come through calls, texts, emails or online messages and may appear to come from a person or organization you know. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and take the time to check.
And remember, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. If you’re unsure about a transaction or message, contact us. We’re always happy to help you take a closer look.
Know what to look for
Common Scams & Fraud
Knowing how common scams work can make them easier to spot. Here are some of the types of fraud you may encounter and the signs to watch for.
Warning Signs of a Scam
If you notice any of these, slow down. It's always okay to pause a transaction and ask questions first.
Pressure to Act Fast
You're being rushed, or told to keep the transaction secret.
Unusual Payment Methods
You're asked to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
No In-Person Contact
You've never met the person or business, and things moved quickly.
Pressure to Act Fast
You're being rushed, or told to keep the transaction secret.
Unusual Payment Methods
You're asked to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
No In-Person Contact
You've never met the person or business, and things moved quickly.
Deposit and Forward
You're asked to deposit a cheque and send part of the money elsewhere.
Out-of-the-Blue Contact
Someone reaches out claiming to be family, a government agency, or a business you use.
Too Good to Be True
Guaranteed high returns, a prize you didn't enter, or high pay for little work.
Deposit and Forward
You're asked to deposit a cheque and send part of the money elsewhere.
Out-of-the-Blue Contact
Someone reaches out claiming to be family, a government agency, or a business you use.
Too Good to Be True
Guaranteed high returns, a prize you didn't enter, or high pay for little work.
The Scale of the Problem
Fraud is growing fast in Canada, and British Columbia is hit harder than anywhere else.
Lost to fraud in 2025
$704M
A record year. Canadians reported more than $704 million in fraud losses.
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Of that loss is in B.C.
57%
B.C. accounts for more than half of Canada's fraud losses and half of all cases.
Source: Central 1
Actually reported
5–10%
Only a small share of frauds are ever reported, so the real total is far higher.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Fraud Prevention
How We Protect You
Fraud monitoring combines proven technology with people trained to slow down, look closer and ask the right questions when something doesn’t seem right.
- Enterprise Fraud Management
We use Central 1's Enterprise Fraud Management system. In 2024, it helped credit union clients prevent 11,043 scams.
- Staff Trained to Ask Questions
If a transaction looks unusual, our team is trained to pause and ask a few extra questions. Not because we don't trust you, but because we're looking out for you.
Not Sure if Something Was a Scam?
Acting quickly can help protect your accounts and information. Find out what steps to take and when to contact us.
Learn More About Scams
For more information about current scams and how to protect yourself, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which keeps an up-to-date list of active frauds, Get Cyber Safe for practical tips on staying safe online, or the Competition Bureau's Little Black Book of Scams, a plain-language guide to the most common scams in Canada.
