4 scams that hit Ontario in February 2025 [Video]

Fraudsters are constantly adapting their tactics to deceive unsuspecting victims, often targeting people facing financial difficulties or using new technology to appear more convincing. From text messages impersonating banks to romance scams that tug at heartstrings, here are four scams sweeping Ontario in February.

Scammers are using text messages and emails that appear to come from legitimate financial institutions, such as the Royal Bank of Canada, to steal sensitive information. The messages claim there’s a “potential issue” with your account and urge you to click a link to review your activity. However, the link redirects to a fake website designed to harvest personal data.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, an agency that tracks and monitors fraud across the country says this is a form of “smishing”—a text-based variation of phishing. These scams often impersonate banks, government entities or subscription services like Netflix.

The CAFC warns that clicking these links …