Protect Yourself from Scams: A Message to University Students

It’s important to stay informed about a growing concern for university students: scams targeting young people via in-person interaction, phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and students are increasingly becoming victims of these fraudulent schemes.
What to Watch Out For
Fake Emails from University or Government Bodies: Scammers often impersonate university offices or government agencies like the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency). These emails may ask for personal information, passwords, or even payments for tuition, grants, or taxes.
Phone Calls Claiming Urgent Action is Needed: Fraudsters may call pretending to be from a bank, credit card company, or government agency. They often pressure you into making immediate payments or sharing personal details.
Phishing Text Messages (Smishing): Beware of texts that appear to be from financial institutions, offering refunds or requesting account verification. They often include suspicious links that lead to phishing websites designed to steal your information.
Fake Job Offers: Scammers may send job offers via email or social media or attend campus in person, offering high-paying positions that require little effort. These jobs may ask for personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), or may even involve sending you a check to deposit into your account—later discovered to be fake.
Taxi and Rideshare Payment Scam: Strangers ask to use your debit or credit card to pay for a taxi or rideshare, claiming the driver doesn’t accept cash. In return, they offer you cash for the transaction. The scam involves the ‘taxi driver’ switching your card with a fake one and stealing your PIN, allowing them to make fraudulent purchases. Card swap scam reported in Ottawa involving taxis, ridesharing | CTV News
Tips to Stay Safe
Verify the Source: If you receive an unexpected message from a bank, university office, or government agency, call them directly using official contact information to confirm its legitimacy.
Don’t Click on Suspicious Links: Always be cautious of links in unsolicited emails or text messages. These can lead to phishing websites that steal personal data.
Use Strong Passwords and Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Protect your accounts with secure passwords and set up MFA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you think you’ve received a scam message, report it to Information Technology Services (ITS) or Campus Safety. You can also file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Never Use Your Card to Pay for Someone Else’s Transaction.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam and shared personal or financial information:
Immediately contact your bank or financial institution to protect your accounts.
Change your passwords for any affected accounts.
Report the incident to Campus Safety Services, ITS, Ottawa Police Service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Stay Vigilant
Scams are on the rise, but by staying aware and informed, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Always pause before responding to any request for personal or financial information, and seek help from trusted sources if something doesn’t feel right.
For more information on protecting yourself from scams, visit
Scams – Student Affairs (carleton.ca)
Is this job a scam? Is it too good to be true? – Career Services (carleton.ca)
Security Awareness – ITS (carleton.ca)
Phishing and Reporting – ITS (carleton.ca)