Keeping up with threats and how to mitigate them is getting harder
Fraudsters continue to find new ways to try to relieve Canadians with their money, and the pressure is getting to many people.
Amid a growing range and volume of fraud and scam threats, 86% of those taking part in the 2025 iteration of RBC’s annual Fraud Prevention Month Poll said that it’s getting harder to spot the risks and protect themselves.
The research highlights the intensification of the threats with 98% of respondents stating they have seen increasingly sophisticated scams and 89% saying they have noticed rise in scams and fraud attempts.
The main kinds of fraud attempt seen by respondents include phishing (generic deceptive messages through email or text) and spear phishing (more targeted emails and texts that look legitimate from a seemingly trusted source), but they also report more attempts focused on older people, deepfake scams, and ones impersonating real people or organizations.
This constant battle against financial crime is hard to keep up with, leading to ‘fraud fatigue’ for many poll participants.
"With the increase in volume and sophistication of scams, it's understandable that Canadians are finding it challenging to always have their guard up when it comes to fraud. Criminals are using the latest technology to gather information, build trust, create urgency and prey on people's needs and fears," says Vanja Gorazi, Vice President, Fraud Management, RBC. "This has led to a wave of investment, romance, senior and other scams. It has never been more important to stay alert."
Protecting against scams
RBC’s report includes insights into how respondents are trying to protect themselves from scammers:
- 93% never share passwords, PINs, or login details with anyone
- 92% never respond to unsolicited texts, calls or emails
- 91% say "no" when pressured to respond to an urgent request or offer
- 84% always use more than one way to authenticate themselves where possible
- 71% no longer trust any form of communication, even if it seems to come from a trusted source
"It's human nature to do the right thing for our families, friends and communities – fraudsters know this and try to capitalize on it. When it comes to scams, sometimes even one slip can lead to significant losses and stress. That's why it is so important to stay vigilant, educated and talk to friends and family about how to stay safe from scams," concluded Gorazi.
