How to protect yourself from fraud

On this page

Instruction: Change of selection promptly shifts the focus to a matching heading further down, on the same page.

Fraud and online scams cost Canadians millions of dollars every year.1 Protecting your identity and finances has never been more important. By staying aware and practicing good online habits, you can spot scams and reduce your risk of fraud and identity theft.

Manulife is committed to protecting your personal information and helping you stay ahead of fraud threats through strong fraud detection and prevention practices. This guide offers practical fraud prevention tips, scam awareness strategies, and steps to take if you think you’ve been targeted.

Use this resource during Fraud Prevention Month, and any other time of year, to protect yourself from fraud and stay one step ahead of emerging scams.

Fraud awareness and prevention: How to stay safe online and offline

  1. Recognize imposter scams: Fraudsters may pose as trusted entities like government agencies or well-known companies. Always independently verify the identity of the caller or sender before sharing any information.
  2. Secure personal information: Store sensitive documents like Social Insurance Numbers, passports, and bank statements securely. Avoid sharing personal information over the phone, or by email or text.
  3. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Protect your online accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for an added layer of security.
  4. Click with caution: Be cautious with unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information. Look for red flags like urgent requests or unfamiliar links.
  5. Monitor your financial accounts: Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
  6. Stay informed about investment scams: Be skeptical of investment opportunities that promise high returns with little risk. Do thorough research and consult a trusted financial advisor before investing.
  7. Protect your digital devices: Keep your software and antivirus programs up to date. Avoid downloading apps or software from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.
  8. Use secure networks: Avoid conducting financial transactions over public Wi-Fi. Use a secure, private network whenever possible.
  9. Sign up for alerts: Sign up for push notifications for your financial accounts to receive real-time alerts about transactions and suspicious activity.
  10. Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about the latest fraud tactics and share this knowledge with friends and family to help protect them, too.

Top scams and fraud tactics to watch in Canada

Fraud tactics continue to evolve, and Canadians are seeing increased sophistication in online and offline scams.

Common Scam Types

  • Phishing scams:
    Fraudulent emails or texts designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or giving up personal data.
  • Call spoofing:
    Scammers manipulate caller ID to appear as a trusted organization (e.g., banks, government agencies).
  • Deepfake impersonation scams:
    Fraudsters may use AI-generated audio or video to mimic voices or identities to request money or information, or to entice you with high return investments.
  • QR code scams:
    Fake QR codes placed on posters, parking meters, or emails can redirect you to malicious sites or install malware.
  • High pressure investment scams:
    Promises of unusually high returns with little risk are nearly always fraudulent.

Manulife Fraud Prevention: How we work to protect you

Manulife is committed to keeping your accounts secure with tools, safeguards, and clear communication practices.

Manulife ID

Manulife ID is a single username and password to access all your Manulife accounts. Manulife supports a two-step verification for stronger security and easy account management. It’s best practice to direct the verification code to a mobile number, or passkey, rather than email.

If you receive a verification request that you did not initiate, it may mean:

  • Someone with a similar username made an input error, or
  • Someone may be attempting to access your account — contact Manulife and change your password immediately.

Manulife will not:

  • Randomly call to request personal information (unless you initiated paperwork and they are clarifying details).
  • Ask you to click links in unexpected emails or texts to verify information.
  • Request payment through gift cards or unfamiliar methods.

What to do if you’re a victim of fraud

If you suspect you've been targeted or notice an unfamiliar transaction, act quickly.

Steps to Take Immediately

  1. Collect your evidence: If you’re a victim of fraud, gather all the information you can about the fraudulent transaction, including documents, receipts, and copies of emails or text messages.
  2. Call us: Contact Manulife immediately at one of our publicly available contact numbers if you do not recognize a transaction. We’ll help you place flags on all your accounts and change your passwords.
  3. Report to credit bureaus: You can report fraud to both Equifax and TransUnion and place a fraud alert on your credit report, which requires creditors to verify your identity before opening a new account. You should also contact any other banks or credit card companies where you have accounts.
  4. Report the fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the police: If you choose, you can report the fraud to your local police authority and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Reporting scams to law enforcement helps prevent others from becoming victims. However, reporting fraud to the police will not affect the speed, priority, or resolution of your claims.

Finally, stay on the look out: Fraudsters often re-target victims with fake “recovery” schemes. Never send additional money.

Frequently asked questions

Fraud Awareness Month is an annual March initiative focused on helping Canadians recognize, prevent, and report fraud. It brings organizations together to share guidance, tools, and up‑to‑date information so people can protect themselves and their financial well‑being.

The 4 P’s of fraud2 highlight the key steps to staying safe:

  • Protection – Safeguard your personal and financial information.
  • Patience – Take your time; don’t let anyone pressure you into quick decisions.
  • Proactivity – Stay informed and watch for unusual activity.
  • Prevention – Report suspicious behaviour early to help stop fraud before it starts.

Additional resources

Manulife Fraud Prevention Centre

Educating yourself about fraud is your best protection against it.

Go to the Fraud Prevention Centre

Group Plans Share and Protect

Something look suspicious?
Be part of the solution. Report it below – with as much information as possible.

Go to the Share & Protect e-form

Get claim smart

Learn the do’s and don’ts to help you submit true and accurate claims. And you make the most out of your benefits plan – while protecting it. 

Learn more about submitting accurate claims