TL;DR: Canadians aged 60 and over lost nearly $180 million to fraud in 2024, more than any other age group, and filed 12,801 reports. Scams include fake Service Canada callers and redirected pension payments: one Edmonton case took $179,689 from seniors over four years through 176 redirected CPP and OAS payments. If a payment is missing, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914, then your bank, police and the CAFC.
The scale
From Money.ca’s report, citing CAFC data:
| 2024 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Losses, Canadians aged 60+ | nearly $180 million (highest of any age group) |
| Fraud reports filed by seniors | 12,801 (most of any specified age group) |
The same report describes an Edmonton case where 176 CPP and OAS payments were redirected to a personal account over four years, taking $179,689 from seniors.
How the scams work
- Fake Service Canada calls: someone says your benefits are suspended, your SIN is compromised, or you’re owed an increase, and needs your details “to fix it.”
- Redirected payments: criminals change your direct deposit details, or have payments reissued to an account they control.
- Relative-in-trouble calls timed around payment days.
Toronto Police describe seniors as targeted because of “perceived accessibility, vulnerability and reluctance to report this crime.” The last part matters: reporting is how payments get traced.
Warning signs
- pressure to act right away;
- requests to keep it secret from family, caregivers or the bank;
- callers you can’t verify;
- payment by wire, gift card or crypto;
- unfamiliar withdrawals, e-Transfers or changes to your direct deposit.
What to do
- Missing CPP or OAS payment? Call Service Canada: 1-800-277-9914.
- Report to your bank, local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Create your My Service Canada Account yourself, so nobody can set one up in your name, and check it regularly.
- If your SIN was exposed, follow Service Canada’s steps.
For families
A monthly two-minute check-in (“did your pension arrive?”) catches redirection fast. See protecting elderly parents and Service Canada scams. A free email exposure check shows if a parent’s email is in breach data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Canadian seniors lose to fraud in 2024?
Canadians aged 60 and over lost nearly $180 million, the most of any age group.
How do CPP and OAS payments get stolen?
Criminals change direct deposit details or have payments reissued to accounts they control.
What number do I call about a missing CPP or OAS payment?
Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
Does Service Canada call to say my benefits are suspended?
Treat such calls as scams. Hang up and call Service Canada on its official number.
Sources
- Money.ca: CPP and OAS fraud warning signs for Canadian seniors
- Service Canada: Unauthorized and misleading communications