Not fear. Power.
By the end, you can do three things.
NoticeSee red flags
PauseDo not rush
AskGet help safely
Scammers want speed. Safety needs a pause.
Newcomer workshopSafe Online Practices
Canada, phone, bank, email
Safe Online in Canada
Protect your personal information with simple daily habits.
Today is about confidence, not fear.
01Warm-up question
Raise your hand
How do you lock your digital door?
Your phone, email, and bank app need a lock too.
02Workshop goal
03What we protect
Personal information
Treat it like cash.
1
SIN
Your 9-digit Social Insurance Number.
2
Bank details
Passwords, PINs, cards, and account numbers.
3
ID documents
Passport, PR card, work permit, address.
04The main habit
Say it together
The 10-second safety habit
Stop
Do not click. Do not pay.
Breathe
Pressure is a warning sign.
Check
Use the real website or phone number.
Ask
Talk to a trusted person.
05Government scam
CRA or IRCC?
If they threaten you, hang up.
Real government workers do not demand gift cards, Bitcoin, or instant payment by fear.
CRA: Pay today or police will come.
IRCC: You will lose your visa now.
Safe move: hang up and check Canada.ca yourself.
06Audience vote
REAL OR SCAM?
"You owe money. Buy Apple gift cards now, or you will be arrested today."
Trust
Check
Trash
07Fake job offers
Too good, too fast
Real jobs do not ask you to pay first.
Random message
"Earn $500 a day from home."
Fake cheque
They send money, then ask some back.
Personal info
They ask for SIN too early.
08Fake cheque story
One common trick
The cheque looks real. The loss is real too.
"You are hired"
They send a cheque for equipment.
"Send money back"
You pay a fake supplier.
"Cheque bounced"
The bank removes the money.
Your money is gone
A real job pays you. You do not pay them.
09Rental scams
Housing pressure
Never pay for a home you have not seen.
Cheap rent plus urgent payment is a red flag.
!
"I am outside Canada."
!
"Send a wire transfer now."
!
"I will mail the keys."
10Package phishing
Canada Post: Delivery failed.
Pay $2.00 to release your package.
canada-post-fee.example
Links can lie
Do not tap surprise links.
If you expect a package, open the real website yourself and use your tracking number.
11SIN safety
9
digits to protect
Social Insurance Number
Your SIN is secret.
Do not carry it in your wallet.
Do not give it to a landlord.
Do not put it on a job application before hiring.
12Password habits
Make it long
A passphrase is easier for you, harder for thieves.
Weak
Canada123
Stronger
My-red-coat-likes-7-snow-days!
Extra safe
Turn on two-step sign-in when you can.
Never share a code sent to your phone.
13Public Wi-Fi
Library, cafe, airport
Free Wi-Fi is public space.
Read the news. Do not log in to your bank or send private documents.
14Social media
Small details add up
Before you post, cover private details.
Hide your address and tracking number.
Documents
Do not post ID, visas, or PR cards.
Children
Think before sharing school or location.
15If something happens
No shame. Act fast.
If you get scammed, ask for help quickly.
Call your bank
Freeze cards and accounts.
Change passwords
Start with email and banking.
Report it
Police and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
16Practice game
YOU DECIDE
"A landlord asks for a deposit before you see the apartment."
Trust
Check
Trash
17Take-home checklist
Five habits
Use these every week.
1
Pause before clicking a link.
2
Use official websites yourself.
3
Keep your SIN private.
4
Use long passphrases.
5
Ask a trusted person when unsure.
18Questions
You are not alone
Questions?
Safe online habits get easier with practice.
Report fraud
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
1-888-495-8501
antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Check government messages
Use Canada.ca, CRA, or IRCC pages directly. Do not use surprise links.