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Scams

Have you ever been a victim of a scam? Do you know someone who has? Maybe you aren’t even sure what a scam is? A scam is a method many hackers use in order to get money in addition to your personal information. Scams can result in identity theft, fraud, theft from your bank account or credit card, and computer viruses. There are many different types of scams that people may fall victim to and as a Carleton student, you need to be aware and know how to protect your personal information.

Types of scams

Protecting yourself

What to do if you’ve been a victim of a scam

  1. Submit a report via the Ottawa Police Report Fraud website or by calling 613-236-1222, extension 7300.
  2. Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website or call 1-888-465-8501.
  3. Contact Campus Safety Services if the incident was in relation to Carleton University in any way, especially if there is an immediate on campus risk to you or someone you know; open 24/7, 365 days a year.
  4. Request a copy of your credit bureau report – in certain instances, this report may be free of charge. Request that a “Fraud Warning” be placed on your credit file instructing creditors to contact you personally before opening new accounts in your name – these warnings remain on file for 6 years. Remember to contact and file fraud warnings with both bureaus.
  5. Get help from Carleton resources such as Health and Counselling or the International Student Services Office.

If you encounter a suspicious message, website or phone call, please contact Carleton’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Service Desk at its.service.desk@carleton.ca or 613-520-3700. If you are scammed or click on a link in your Carleton email, please change your Carleton account password right away and contact the ITS Service Desk.

International students who are concerned they may have been a target of a scam can contact the International Student Services Office (ISSO) at isso@carleton.ca or 613-520-6600.

For your safety

Carleton Will Never

The CRA Will Never

The IRCC Will Never

Resources

Carleton resources:

Government resources: