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How to Spot Email Scams: A Visual Guide for Canadian Seniors

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Senior reviewing email on laptop with caution

Don't Let Scammers Into Your Inbox

Email scams are one of the most common ways criminals target Canadians — and seniors are often at the top of their list. The good news is that once you know what to look for, most scams are easy to spot. This guide will teach you the red flags that give scammers away.

Red Flag #1: It Creates Urgency or Fear

Scammers want you to panic and act fast. If an email says things like:

  • Your account will be closed in 24 hours
  • You owe the CRA $3,000 — pay now or face legal action
  • Your grandson is in the hospital — wire money immediately

These are almost always scams. Legitimate organizations give you time and don't demand instant action.

Red Flag #2: The Sender's Address Looks Wrong

Always check the actual email address, not just the display name. A scam might show "CRA Canada" but the actual address is something like cra-refund@totally-not-canada.xyz.

Real government emails end in: gc.ca (federal) or ontario.ca, bc.ca, etc. (provincial)

If the address uses gmail.com, hotmail.com, or a random domain — it's not real.

Red Flag #3: It Asks for Personal Information

No legitimate bank or government agency will ever email you asking for:

  • Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Your banking password or PIN
  • Credit card numbers
  • A copy of your passport or driver's licence

The CRA will never send you an email with a link to log in. They send you to canada.ca and you log in yourself.

Before clicking any link, hover your mouse over it (or press and hold on a phone). A small preview will show where the link actually goes.

A link that says "Sign in to your TD account" might actually point to td-secure-login.scam-site.com — not the real td.com.

Rule of thumb: If in doubt, don't click. Go directly to the website by typing it into your browser.

Red Flag #5: Poor Spelling and Grammar

Many scams originate outside Canada and the writing shows it. Watch for:

  • Strange phrasing like "Dear valued customer" instead of your name
  • Spelling mistakes a real company wouldn't make
  • Inconsistent formatting or fonts

That said — modern scams use AI to write better English, so don't rely on this alone.

Red Flag #6: Unexpected Attachments

Never open an attachment from someone you don't know. Even if it looks like an invoice or shipping notice, it could install malware on your computer.

If you're not expecting a file, don't open it. Contact the company directly using a phone number from their official website.

Common Scams Targeting Canadian Seniors

  • CRA Tax Scam: "You owe taxes — pay now or be arrested." The CRA never does this by email.
  • Bank Alert Scam: "Your account has been compromised — click here to verify." Your bank won't email you this.
  • Grandparent Scam: "Grandma, it's me — I'm in trouble, please send money." Always verify by calling your grandchild directly.
  • Prize/Lottery Scam: "You've won $50,000 — pay a $200 fee to claim it." You didn't win anything. Real prizes don't require fees.
  • Tech Support Scam: "Your computer has a virus — call this number." Microsoft and Apple will never contact you this way.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam

  1. Don't click anything — no links, no attachments, no reply buttons
  2. Don't call any phone number in the email — look up the real one yourself
  3. Delete the email or mark it as spam/junk
  4. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
  5. If you already gave personal info, call your bank immediately

Your Best Defence: Slow Down

Scammers rely on you reacting without thinking. When in doubt, stop and ask yourself: "Would a real bank or government or company contact me this way?" If the answer is no — trust your gut. Delete it, and call the organization directly using a number you find on their official website. You can always check with a family member too. There's no rush that can't wait 10 minutes.