Could our emotions
make us vulnerable
to fraud?
No one expects it, but anyone can fall victim to fraud.
That’s because scammers don’t always try to outsmart us. Instead, they exploit our most basic human emotions.
The good news?
The right tools and knowledge can help you become unshakeable in the face of fraud attempts.
Learn how
Ready to find out
how you react to fraud attempts?
Take our guided exercise to learn how your emotions can impact your actions in the face of fraud attempts.
Start now
Which of these emotionally-charged messages might you respond to?
Replay
Your answer
In a new Interac survey1,
82%
of respondents agree Canadians need better protections from fraud.
Continue to find out how to stay in control.
Your answer
51%
of survey respondents reported feeling negative emotions (such as stress, anxiety, and concern) before falling victim to fraud.
Your answer
84%
of Canadian fraud victims surveyed agree it’s important to pause when receiving messages or notifications you weren’t expecting, because they could be fraudulent.
What strategy helps you feel most in charge of your emotions?
Replay
Your answer
75%
of survey respondents agree that it’s important to manage your emotions during a fraud attempt.
Congratulations!
You’ve completed the exercise.
Click below, and you can share a link with others to spread the word.
Remember, anyone can be targeted by scammers. Help others learn how emotions can make us vulnerable, and how to take back control.
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The emotional toll of fraud:
By the numbers
Nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) of Canadian fraud victims said fraud attempts are everywhere, according to an Interac survey1.
Keep reading to see how fraud can make victims feel.
Click to see
0%
of respondents agree that anybody can fall victim to fraud
The top three emotions respondents reported feeling before falling victim to fraud were:
0%
agree that experiencing strong emotions can make you more vulnerable to falling victim to fraud
Learn more about how fraudsters manipulate emotions
Protect yourself:
When a communication seems strange, stop for a moment to breathe, think, and follow your instincts. If you have any doubt about a request for personal information or a notification you weren’t expecting, don’t feel you must respond right away.
Before responding to any unexpected messages, take the time to assess the situation and look out for the telltale signs of a scam. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre tracks the latest scams and shares how to spot them.
If you have concerns or suspect fraud, remember to play it safe and trust your instincts. And if you’ve already shared sensitive information, contact your local police and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Be empowered to fight back against fraud
Fraudsters try all sorts of tactics to prey on your emotions. With the right resources, you can learn how to stay unshakeable and in control.
Meet the unshakeable professionals
These individuals know a thing or two about staying cool under pressure. And they’re ready to share their tips.
CC Darling
Aerialist
Each day is different for CC Darling, who has been performing as an aerialist since 2019. During performances, CC stays in charge by trusting in her training.
“High-stress situations are often unexpected, but if you learn and practice all the necessary steps beforehand, the high-stress situation becomes easier to navigate.”
Devon Bailey
Firefighter
Devon Bailey played professional football before becoming a firefighter, and he was drawn to the career as a way to continue to work as part of a team. In moments of high stress, Devon breathes deeply to gather his emotions and “zone in.”
“The key to staying calm is living in the moment. When you breathe and understand the situation you are in, you are able to make the right move or decision to better the situation or even save lives.”
Chris Côté
Air Traffic Controller
As an air traffic controller, Chris has to stay focused and alert at all times on the job. The key to staying in charge, he says, is to take a step back before acting on emotions.
“You always have more time than you think, even if it is in milli-seconds. That small amount of time will change everything if you don't take it to properly assess the situation. And do not be shy about raising your hand to get help."