Canada Travel Scams

Scammers create fake listings on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com for popular Canadian destinations such as Banff National Park or Niagara Falls, using stolen photos and offering unrealistically low rates in CAD (e.g., $50 per night for a luxury suite). Victims pay via wire transfer or gift cards, then arrive to find the property nonexistent or already occupied. This often involves emails mimicking legitimate companies, asking for additional 'security deposits' of around $200 CAD after initial payment.

In urban areas and tourist spots like airports or shopping malls across Canada, scammers install skimming devices on ATMs to capture card details. For example, in public banks in Ottawa or Toronto, a device might be placed over the card reader, stealing information from tourists withdrawing CAD for daily expenses, leading to unauthorized charges of $500–$2,000 CAD shortly after.

In parks like Banff or Jasper, unlicensed individuals pose as official guides, offering 'exclusive' wildlife tours for $100–$300 CAD per person, then abandon groups or demand extra fees midway. They exploit Canada's reputation for nature tourism by claiming access to restricted areas, such as hidden trails near Lake Louise, and may photograph tourists' IDs under the guise of permits.

In Toronto, particularly around Pearson International Airport or the CN Tower, taxi drivers manipulate meters to add phantom charges, such as inflating a $20 CAD ride to $50 CAD by rerouting through traffic-heavy areas like the Gardiner Expressway. They target tourists unfamiliar with local fares, demanding cash payments upfront and refusing to provide receipts.

At busy spots like the Eaton Centre or during events at Rogers Centre, thieves work in teams to distract tourists with staged arguments or offers of 'free' maps, then steal wallets containing CAD cash or cards. This scam leverages Toronto's multicultural festivals, where crowds make it easy to bump into victims and access unsecured bags.

On Granville Island, vendors sell counterfeit Indigenous art or BC souvenirs at inflated prices, such as claiming a $20 CAD item is $100 CAD and using high-pressure sales tactics like 'limited stock' stories. They target tourists near the Public Market, exploiting Vancouver's arts scene by mixing genuine and fake goods without proper certifications.

In downtown Vancouver, especially near Stanley Park, individuals posing as charity workers for causes like environmental protection ask for donations, providing fake receipts and pocketing the cash—e.g., soliciting $50 CAD donations that never reach organizations. They exploit the city's eco-friendly culture by using clipboards with printed logos.

During events like the Montreal International Jazz Festival, bars in the Quartier des Spectacles charge exorbitant tabs, such as $15 CAD for a beer that normally costs $5 CAD, by adding hidden 'festival fees' or swapping bills in crowded venues. Scammers target tourists with fast-paced service and unclear menus in French and English.

Around Old Montreal or during Formula 1 events, scalpers sell fake tickets for attractions like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, charging $50 CAD for a $20 CAD ticket that's invalid upon scanning. They use printed fakes that mimic official designs, targeting language barriers among international visitors.