Fake Tech Support Scams in Canada
How fake tech support fraud targets Canadians — from Microsoft pop-up scams to CRA impersonation — and how to report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Part of: Fake Tech Support Calls
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake tech support scams are among the most widely reported fraud types in Canada, encompassing both the browser pop-up variant (fake virus alerts directing victims to call a number) and cold-call variants where the caller poses as Microsoft, Apple, or — in a pattern specific to Canada — the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a Canadian telecom company.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) tracks this fraud category and publishes guidance tailored to Canadian consumers. This guide covers the specific variants most commonly reported by Canadians, the payment methods typically demanded (gift cards, cryptocurrency, and bank transfers), and the correct reporting routes including the CAFC and the RCMP.
How this scam works on Canada
Canadian victims most commonly encounter fake tech support through browser pop-ups that mimic Windows or Mac system alerts, claiming a virus has been detected and instructing the user to call an 800 or 1-888 number. The number connects to a scammer who directs the victim to grant remote access via legitimate tools (AnyDesk, TeamViewer), then claims to find severe infections.
A Canada-specific variant involves callers impersonating Bell, Rogers, Telus, or Shaw/Freedom, claiming there is unusual activity on the account or that the victim's IP address has been compromised. The scammer creates urgency and uses the caller ID spoofing to display a number that appears to belong to the carrier.
Payment demands typically start with gift cards (Google Play, iTunes, Amazon) but have evolved to include Interac e-Transfer, cryptocurrency ATMs, and wire transfers. The CAFC notes that crypto ATM use in scam payments has increased significantly in Canada, where the ATM density is higher than in most countries.
Common red flags
- A browser pop-up with a phone number claiming your computer has a virus or has been blocked
- A call claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, Bell, Rogers, Telus, or the CRA about a technical problem
- Request to install remote access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer) during a support call
- Payment request via iTunes or Google Play gift cards, crypto ATM, or Interac e-Transfer to resolve a technical issue
- The CRA never contacts taxpayers about technical issues — any CRA call requesting tech support payment is fraud
- Caller who claims your IP address has been 'hacked' and that the fix requires immediate payment
How to protect yourself
- Close browser pop-ups that display phone numbers — never call a number displayed in an alert window
- If you receive an unsolicited call about your computer, hang up and call the company back on a number from their official website
- Never grant remote access to your computer to an unsolicited caller
- Be aware that the CRA communicates by letter for most issues and never demands payment via gift cards, crypto, or wire transfer
- Report suspicious calls to the CAFC before engaging further — reports help identify and warn others about active campaigns
How to report it
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-888-495-8501
- Report CRA impersonation specifically to the CRA at canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/security/protect-yourself-against-fraud.html
- Report to your provincial consumer protection office — Ontario's Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, BC's Consumer Protection BC, etc.
- If remote access was granted, disconnect from the internet immediately, run a malware scan, and change all passwords
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I already granted remote access to a fake tech support caller?
Disconnect from the internet immediately by unplugging the network cable or turning off Wi-Fi. Then restart the computer. Change all passwords — email, banking, social media — from a separate, clean device. Run a full malware scan. Report to the CAFC. If banking credentials may have been compromised, contact your bank's fraud line directly.
Does the CRA ever call about technical problems or security issues?
No. The CRA communicates primarily by mail for most tax and benefit matters. It does make some phone calls about specific issues, but it never requests payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer, and it never contacts taxpayers about computer viruses or technical security issues. Any such call is a scam.