The Bank of Canada (“Bank”) is aware of email and social media scams that send unsolicited messages falsely claiming to originate from the Bank and/or its officers.

These scams misrepresent the Bank and make use of the Bank’s name, identity, logos, trade-marks and letterhead without authorization. The Bank has no connection to these scams.

Recognizing a Scam

The Bank of Canada is Canada’s central bank:

  • It does not accept deposits from or on behalf of individuals.
  • It does not collect personal or financial information from individuals through email.
  • It does not request personal or financial information through social media messaging applications.

The Bank’s employees and officers do not

  • request personal or financial information through email or social media messaging applications
  • participate in any Internet-based communications that request information or payment for services

Reporting a Scam

Take the following steps if you have concerns about the contents of any Internet-based communication that purports to be from the Bank:

  • Delete the email or message immediately and contact your local authorities.
  • Do not follow links. Access the Bank’s website by typing the URL yourself —www.bankofcanada.ca— and look for references to the program identified in the email.
  • Call our Public Information Office at 1-800-303-1282 (toll-free in North America), or visit the Contact Us page on our website.