Spam and scam calls in Canada: what to do

How common are scam calls in Canada?

• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received over 112,000 fraud reports in 2025, with over C$704 million lost.Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Fraud Prevention Month 2026: top 10 frauds in 2025
• Only 5% to 10% of frauds are ever reported, the CAFC says, so real losses are far higher.Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Fraud Prevention Month news release (March 6, 2026)
• Callers posing as a “fraud investigator” from a bank or the police took C$28.3 million from 1,137 Canadians in 2025.Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Fraud Prevention Month 2026: top 10 frauds in 2025Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Bank investigator
• Bell’s AI call blocking stopped more than 1 billion fraudulent calls in its trial, the CRTC reports.CRTC, Caller ID spoofing

How do I stop sales calls in Canada?

The National Do Not Call List (DNCL) is the CRTC’s list of numbers telemarketers must not call. It’s free.

1. Register online at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca, or call 1-866-580-3625 from the phone you want to add.National Do Not Call List, Consumer FAQs
2. Your number goes on the list at once, but telemarketers get 31 days to update their lists.National Do Not Call List, Consumer FAQs
3. Registration is permanent: you never need to register the same number again.National Do Not Call List, Consumer FAQs
4. Registered charities, political parties, surveys and newspapers selling subscriptions may still call you.National Do Not Call List, Who can still call you
5. So may a company you bought from in the last 18 months, or asked about something in the last 6.National Do Not Call List, Who can still call you
6. The official sites are bilingual: in French, the list is at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/fr.Liste nationale de numéros de télécommunication exclus (LNNTE)

Where do I report a scam call?

• The CRTC enforces the telemarketing rules. Complain about a sales call at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or 1-866-580-3625.National Do Not Call List, Consumer FAQsCRTC, How to protect yourself from scammers
• Report a scam call, even if you lost nothing, to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca.Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Report fraud and cybercrimeCanadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Fraud Prevention Month news release (March 6, 2026)
• Or call the CAFC on 1-888-495-8501, weekdays from 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern.Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Report fraud and cybercrime
• Forward a scam text to 7726 (SPAM), so your wireless provider can block it.Canadian Telecommunications Association, What to do if you’ve been targeted by fraud
• Gave a caller your account details? Call your bank or card company right away.CRTC, How to protect yourself from scammers
• Lost money or been threatened? Call your local police, or 911 if you’re in danger.Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Extortion (Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada)Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Fraud Prevention Month news release (March 6, 2026)

What do phone companies offer for free?

• Since December 2019, phone companies must block calls from numbers that can’t exist, like 999-999-9999, or filter calls instead.CRTC, Compliance and Enforcement and Telecom Regulatory Policy 2018-484 (December 19, 2018)CRTC, Caller ID spoofing
• The CRTC told phone companies to check caller ID with STIR/SHAKEN on internet calls by November 30, 2021.CRTC, Compliance and Enforcement and Telecom Decision 2021-123 (April 6, 2021)
• Not every call can be checked yet, and only smartphones show the result, the CRTC says.CRTC, Caller ID spoofing
• Rogers and Fido label suspect calls “Likely Spam” or “Likely Fraud” on your call display, at no cost.Rogers, FAQs about Spam Call DetectFido, Spam Call Detect FAQs
• TELUS Call Control is free on its wireless plans: unknown callers must press a digit to get through.TELUS, TELUS launches Call Control to block spam calls (May 21, 2020)
• On December 9, 2021, the CRTC approved Bell’s AI system for blocking fraud calls in its network.CRTC, Caller ID spoofing
• Vidéotron’s help page shows how to block numbers and screen unknown callers on iPhone and Android.Vidéotron, Unwanted or fraudulent calls: how to block them

Which scams are common right now?

What should I say, and not say?

Where does Vicem fit?

Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t, on its own number or on yours.

• It answers the calls you miss and turns away scam calls.
• It always tells callers it’s an AI.
• Works when your phone is off.
• Asks you before anything important.
• Anyone can check what it did.
• Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes.
• It never gives a caller your details.
• You get a short summary of every call.

What it can’t do

• It answers only the calls you forward to it or that reach your Vicem number. Calls you pick up are yours.
• It doesn’t block or report numbers. Keep the register and your phone company’s filter on.
• Some phone companies charge for forwarded calls. Check yours before you turn it on.
• You can get a local Vicem number in Canada.

What do people ask?

Where next?