Fraudulent Internet-Based Communications
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.