Young Canadians aged 18 to 34 say that despite growing up in a digital world—where smartphones and apps were part of childhood—they’ve become prime targets for online fraud. Nearly one in three in this age group report falling for a scam.
With 41% of scams occurring on dating and social apps, why are socially and digitally savvy Canadians still vulnerable? Below we outline the top phishing tactics aimed at young Canadians and offer expert guidance from cybersecurity professionals on how to avoid becoming a victim.
The latest scams in Canada targeting Gen Z
Those statistics come from a recent TD survey showing phishing is not limited to older adults. Young people—who spend much of their time online—are frequently targeted via email and text (74%), phone calls (64%), social media (43%), online ads (29%), job or service applications (25%), and online dating apps (10%).
Digital fraud is rising. A TransUnion study found suspected online fraud attempts increased nearly 39% in 2023 across the countries surveyed, suggesting the threat is growing and many incidents likely go unreported.
I spoke with cybersecurity expert Laura Payne, chief enablement officer and vice president of security consulting at White Tuque, about the scams currently preying on young workers, online shoppers and daters—three groups that repeatedly appear in recent fraud reports.
One common tactic targets eager-to-please junior employees. Scammers send convincing emails that appear to come from a boss or manager, asking staff to perform favors such as buying gift cards as a “surprise” for the team. Less experienced workers may comply without verifying, purchase the cards and then realize they handed them over to criminals.
“The ‘boss’ emails, ‘I want to do a nice thing for the company. Buy some gift cards. Don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret,’” Payne explains. “I’ve seen people go out, buy the cards, and only later discover they were tricked into giving the codes to scammers.”
Other employment-related scams include fake gig or one-off jobs where people complete tasks and never receive payment. Online shoppers face phishing via fraudulent delivery notifications that ask them to enter personal details to “confirm” or “secure” a package. In online dating, scammers may pose as romantic partners and coax victims into sending intimate photos, which are later used for blackmail or extortion.
How young Canadians are being targeted
Only 6% of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they had not been targeted by a scam, and 7% said they weren’t worried about being scammed. The survey identified the main channels used to approach young Canadians in 2023:
| Scam method | Percentage targeted |
|---|---|
| Email/text message | 74% |
| Phone call | 64% |
| Social media | 43% |
| Online ads on retail or news/entertainment sites | 29% |
| Job or service applications | 25% |
| Online dating apps | 10% |
| Other | 4% |
When asked about the specific types of scams they encountered, young adults reported the following:
| Scam type | Percentage targeted |
|---|---|
| Job-related | 19% |
| Investment fraud | 15% |
| Emergency scams (e.g., impersonating a relative) | 12% |
| Cheque deposit scams | 12% |
| Mortgage-related fraud | 8% |
| Donation scams | 8% |
| Romance scams | 7% |
Why tech-savvy Canadians still fall for phishing
Being comfortable with technology doesn’t automatically protect someone from fraud. Sophia Leung, senior vice president and head of the Protect Platform at TD Bank, notes that many young adults have not actively educated themselves about fraud protection: 46% of 18- to 34-year-olds surveyed had not taken steps to learn about fraud prevention in the past year.
Payne adds that scams often succeed by triggering emotions—panic, urgency, excitement or desire. Scammers craft messages designed to provoke a strong reaction, such as a fake job offer demanding an upfront payment, a confidential request from a supposed manager, or a new romance that quickly moves to intimate exchanges. When people respond emotionally, they may overlook warning signs that would have been obvious if they had time to think.
“If someone is trying to get you emotionally involved,” Payne says, “that’s a common red flag for a scam or phishing attempt.”
Who is behind phishing scams?
Cybercrime is organized and profitable. “If cybercrime were a country, it would have an enormous economy,” Payne says. Many fraud operations resemble a supply chain: people create scams and sell them to others, while hired “operators” carry out the fraud—similar to a call centre model where workers are paid to run scams.
This layered structure allows multiple actors to profit at different stages. In targeted activities such as catfishing or extortion, the motivation is financial gain, and scammers often use systematic, business-like methods to scale their operations.
7 ways to protect yourself from fraud
Young adults can reduce their risk by adopting practical habits. Here are seven effective tips:
- Don’t share sensitive information on dating apps: Until you meet someone in person and have established trust, avoid sharing intimate photos, banking details, ID numbers or any other personal data.
- Be cautious with suspicious job offers: Avoid pay-to-play job schemes. If a job asks you to buy materials, make payments, or transfer money, get a second opinion from a senior colleague, family member, or trusted friend.
- Shop carefully online: When using marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, meet in public places during daylight, confirm payment is secure, and avoid shipping goods before payment clears.
- Keep devices updated and secured: Use anti-malware, enable multi-factor authentication on email and financial accounts, and install software updates. Smartphones are powerful computers and can be compromised if left unprotected.
- Trust your instincts: Generic messages, incorrect names, strange email addresses, urgent requests, or poor spelling and grammar can be signs of a scam. If something feels off, pause and verify before responding.
- Protect your financial accounts: Enroll in fraud alerts from your bank, credit card, and brokerage accounts. Reconcile receipts and statements regularly, and be careful with free trials that auto-renew.
- Check your credit report: Review your credit report at least once a year to spot unfamiliar accounts or errors. In Canada, the main credit bureaus are Equifax and TransUnion; contact them directly to correct mistakes rather than relying on third parties that promise quick fixes.
How to report a scammer
If you suspect fraud, talk to someone you trust—an experienced colleague, a family member, or a friend. For scams involving money or clear criminal activity, contact your local police. Even if police cannot immediately resolve the issue, reporting helps authorities track crime patterns and protect others.
Don’t be ashamed to report an incident. Scammers rely on victims feeling embarrassed and keeping quiet. Reporting also helps financial institutions and fraud centres respond more effectively.
Collect and keep evidence such as emails, screenshots, receipts, transaction records and web pages. Report incidents to your bank, your local police, and national fraud reporting centres or consumer protection agencies.
Additional resources and further reading
- Articles on what to do if your bank account or credit card is compromised
- Guides to common crypto scams and how to avoid them
- Practical tips on protecting yourself after losing a wallet
- Answers to common questions about e-transfer scams and other financial fraud