Service

There are a variety of service frauds, including:

• Financial services
• Telecommunications
• Insurance
• Tech support frauds
• Immigration frauds

Some of the more common service frauds reported to us include:

• Home services and equipment
  • Air duct cleaning
  • Furnace, hot water tank or other home appliances or equipment
  • Paving services
  • General contracting or home maintenance
• Cellphone service provider fraud
• Help with government documents
• Immigration website
• Low interest rate offers
• Pardon
• Resale
• Tech support

Home services and equipment

A fraudster offers services such as air duct cleaning or furnace/boiler repairs at very low rates. If the company completes the services:

• they are of low quality
• the warranties are invalid
• the repairs can cause potential risks

Cellphone service provider fraud

The CAFC has received reports of criminals pretending to be cellphone service providers. They may claim to work for a victim’s current provider and offer a discount, upgraded plan or new device. The threat actors may instruct victims to log in to their real cellphone account while they remain on the phone. They may then ask for account details, security codes or other personal information.

In other cases, criminals may convince victims to open an account with a different service provider and obtain a new cellphone or tablet. They may ask victims to provide identification, such as a driver’s licence or Social Insurance Number (SIN), to complete the order. Once the device is delivered, the fraudster may claim that the wrong item was sent and instruct the victim to ship it to another address. The device and personal information may then be used to commit fraud or identity theft.

Warning signs

• You receive an unexpected call, text message or email offering a discount, upgraded plan or new device
• The person pressures you to act quickly or says the offer is only available for a limited time
• You are asked to log in to your cellphone account while the caller stays on the line
• You are asked for your account password, security code, PIN or multi-factor authentication code
• You are asked to provide a driver’s licence, Social Insurance Number or other identification
• You are told to open an account with a different service provider
• You receive a cellphone or tablet and are told to send it to an address provided by the caller
• The return address is different from the verified address of the service provider

How to protect yourself

• If someone contacts you claiming to be from your service provider, end the call and contact the company directly
• Use the telephone number on your bill, account or the company’s official website
• Do not use contact information provided by the caller
• Never share passwords, PINs, security codes or multi-factor authentication codes
• Do not provide personal or financial information during an unexpected call, text message or email
• Do not log in to your account while an unknown caller is guiding you
• Before opening a new account or accepting a device, confirm the offer directly with the service provider
• If you receive a device you did not order, contact the service provider directly and confirm the correct return process
• Never ship a cellphone or tablet to an address provided by an unknown caller

Help with government documents

For a fee, a website offers services to help you:

• get a passport
• get a birth certificate
• book a driver's road test

The website may promise faster processing times or other guarantees.

The forms needed to get government identification are free. No one can speed up the process.

Immigration website

Fraudsters create fake websites and online ads that offer "cheap" immigration services or even may "guarantee" high paying jobs. Many of the websites will look like official government sites.

Beware if they are asking you to pay for application access fees or deposits before the application is even started.

Learn more about immigration frauds and fraud.

Low interest rate offers

A fraudster offers reduced interest rates on credit cards or line of credit. They request personal information from you, such as your:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• mother's maiden name
• date of birth
• credit card information

In most instances, the fraudsters request a one-time fee for the service.

The fraudsters do not have the ability to lower interest rates. They're stealing your personal information and/or your money.

Pardon

For a fee, a website offers services to help you get a pardon or criminal record waiver. The website may promise faster processing times or other guarantees.

The forms required to obtain a pardon are free. No one can speed up the waiver process.

Resale

Common resale frauds target automobiles, timeshares and rental or property listing. Typically, you'll get a call after posting something for sale online. The fraudster claims to have a buyer and offers their help to sell the item, for a fee. If you pay, you learn there is no buyer and your money is gone.

Tech support

A fraudster claims a virus has infected your computer. The communication might happen through:

• Alarming website pop-ups that demand you call a number urgently
• Unsolicited telephone calls (they may claim to be a Microsoft or other well-known computer company employee)

The fraudster states that your computer is sending out viruses or has been hacked and must be serviced. They request access to your computer and may run programs or alter settings.

The fraudster asks you to pay a fee for fixing your computer via credit card or money transfer. In some cases, the fraudster asks you to log into your bank account to transfer funds.

Date modified:

2026-07-23