Taxi meters & fake Wi-Fi: scams that actually target visitors in Canada

Canada is a low-drama destination for scams, but a handful of schemes do target visitors — mostly around taxis, card skimming, and phishing calls or messages. None of it requires paranoia, just a few habits.

What's the most common taxi scam, and how do I avoid it?

Some drivers claim the meter is "broken" to run up an off-the-clock fare and overcharge you. Before you get in, check that the meter is active and showing the standard minimum fare. Stick to official taxi stands rather than flagging cars off the street, and if anything about the ride feels wrong once you're inside, get out.

How does credit card skimming happen here, and what should I watch for?

Skimmers are small devices criminals attach to card readers to copy your card data, and they turn up on machines at stores, ATMs, gas stations, and even in taxis. There's no foolproof visual test, so the practical move is to stay alert to your surroundings when paying and trust your instincts — if a reader looks tampered with or a situation feels odd, use another machine or pay another way.

Is public Wi-Fi actually risky for tourists?

Yes — open networks can be unsafe because scammers sometimes set up "evil twin" hotspots with names that closely mimic legitimate ones to harvest your personal information. Avoid logging into banking or other sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi, and save those tasks for a trusted connection.

What about suspicious calls, texts, or "official" websites?

If you get a text or email claiming to be from a company or government agency, don't use the contact details in the message — look up the organization's number independently and call that instead. The same goes for phone calls: never hand over financial information to an unexpected caller, and if you're unsure whether it's genuine, verify through the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. When shopping or handling anything official online, double-check the URL and domain, since spoofed sites are designed to look identical to the real thing. Also be wary of any company asking for an upfront fee before delivering a loan, good, or service — that's illegal for lenders to do in Canada.

Any health-related scams to know about?

Fake online pharmacies sell medication at suspiciously low prices or without needing a prescription; legitimate ones list full contact details and require valid prescriptions for regulated drugs. Similarly, be skeptical of "miracle cure" claims backed only by testimonials — check for actual published medical research and consult a healthcare professional instead.

A quick, unrelated practical note: if you're relying on your phone for maps or verifying a business's real contact number while traveling, having reliable data (rather than jumping on open Wi-Fi) makes it easier to stay cautious — see Canada travel basics for connectivity options.

FAQ

What do I do if I think my identity or card was compromised? Check your credit report through Equifax or TransUnion and set up alerts for unauthorized inquiries, then report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501.

Should I ever pay upfront for a loan? No — it's illegal for companies to request upfront fees before providing a loan in Canada, so treat any such request as a red flag.

Is it safe to flag a taxi on the street? Official taxi stands are the safer bet; if a cab feels off once you're in it, simply exit.

Sources

• https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal/advice-plus/features/posts.dont-get-duped-how-to-avoid-travel-scams.html
• https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/protect-protegez-eng.htm
• https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/overseas-fraud
• https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/little-black-book-scams
• https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/protecting-yourself-identity-theft-online-itsap00033