The rate of first-party fraud in Canada rose 32 per cent year over year, moving from 0.25 per cent at the end of 2024 to 0.33 per cent by Q4 2025, according to Equifax Canada’s Market Pulse Fraud Trends and Insights. First-party fraud involves individuals using their own legitimate identity to misrepresent information for financial gain.
The increase comes as a new Equifax Canada Fraud Survey conducted for Fraud Prevention Month reveals that Canadians are feeling increasingly worn down by the steady stream of scams and fraud attempts in their daily lives.
Nearly three in ten Canadians surveyed, 28 per cent, describe the daily volume of fraud attempts as a “manageable annoyance.” More than one-quarter say they feel numb to suspicious messages and delete them without reviewing them. Sixteen per cent report feeling “anxious and tired” trying to determine what is real and what is fake, while five per cent say they feel “completely burnt out.”
More than four in five Canadians surveyed, 83 per cent, are concerned that technology can now be used to create fake legal documents such as pay stubs, insurance claims, or identification that appear convincingly real.
Identity theft and impersonation scams remain top concerns. Two-thirds of Canadians believe identity theft, 67 per cent, and impersonation and phishing scams, 64 per cent, are among the most worrisome forms of fraud today. Digital payment scams follow at 59 per cent, with investment and romance fraud at 46 per cent.
The findings highlight how pervasive fraud risk has become. Six in ten Canadians say they feel most vulnerable online. One-third report feeling at risk while using public Wi-Fi, and one-quarter feel vulnerable at home. Only a small minority say they never feel vulnerable.
Despite heightened awareness, risky behaviours persist. Nearly four in ten Canadians admit they have accidentally clicked on a fraudulent link in an email or text message. Half say they know someone who has experienced identity theft. Many report difficulty keeping pace with evolving scams, underscoring the need for ongoing education and stronger protections.
Canadians overwhelmingly agree that combating fraud demands collective responsibility:
- 88 per cent say public and private sectors must work together to combat financial crime
- 83 per cent believe the media should do more to raise awareness about how scams operate80 per cent support stricter penalties for scammers
- 62 per cent believe everyday scams help fund more serious criminal activity
When asked what would help them stay safer, respondents pointed to stronger safeguards and education:
- 68 per cent say banks should implement stronger security measures to protect accounts
- 63 per cent want governments and companies to use more sophisticated fraud solutions
- 59 per cent support mandatory education in schools and broader public awareness campaigns
Auto insurance fraud is also on Canadians’ radar, with nearly half concerned that fraudulent activity is contributing to higher premiums for honest drivers.
Equifax surveyed 1,570 Canadians ages 18 to 65 from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2026. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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First-Party Fraud Jumps 32 Per Cent as Canadians Report Growing ‘Fraud Fatigue’ Says Equifax
The rate of first-party fraud in Canada rose 32 per cent year over year, moving from 0.25 per cent at the end of 2024 to 0.33 per cent by Q4 2025, according to Equifax Canada’s Market Pulse Fraud Trends and Insights. First-party fraud involves individuals using their own legitimate identity to misrepresent information for financial gain.
The increase comes as a new Equifax Canada Fraud Survey conducted for Fraud Prevention Month reveals that Canadians are feeling increasingly worn down by the steady stream of scams and fraud attempts in their daily lives.
Nearly three in ten Canadians surveyed, 28 per cent, describe the daily volume of fraud attempts as a “manageable annoyance.” More than one-quarter say they feel numb to suspicious messages and delete them without reviewing them. Sixteen per cent report feeling “anxious and tired” trying to determine what is real and what is fake, while five per cent say they feel “completely burnt out.”
More than four in five Canadians surveyed, 83 per cent, are concerned that technology can now be used to create fake legal documents such as pay stubs, insurance claims, or identification that appear convincingly real.
Identity theft and impersonation scams remain top concerns. Two-thirds of Canadians believe identity theft, 67 per cent, and impersonation and phishing scams, 64 per cent, are among the most worrisome forms of fraud today. Digital payment scams follow at 59 per cent, with investment and romance fraud at 46 per cent.
The findings highlight how pervasive fraud risk has become. Six in ten Canadians say they feel most vulnerable online. One-third report feeling at risk while using public Wi-Fi, and one-quarter feel vulnerable at home. Only a small minority say they never feel vulnerable.
Despite heightened awareness, risky behaviours persist. Nearly four in ten Canadians admit they have accidentally clicked on a fraudulent link in an email or text message. Half say they know someone who has experienced identity theft. Many report difficulty keeping pace with evolving scams, underscoring the need for ongoing education and stronger protections.
Canadians overwhelmingly agree that combating fraud demands collective responsibility:
When asked what would help them stay safer, respondents pointed to stronger safeguards and education:
Auto insurance fraud is also on Canadians’ radar, with nearly half concerned that fraudulent activity is contributing to higher premiums for honest drivers.
Equifax surveyed 1,570 Canadians ages 18 to 65 from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2026. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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This entry was posted on March 3, 2026 at 9:51 am and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.