The Guelph Police Service is warning residents in Guelph, Ontario, about the rising cost of scams and is sharing tips to help people protect their money this March 2026. Officers are using Fraud Prevention Month to highlight how these crimes are becoming more organized and to encourage everyone to report suspicious activity immediately.
Local police have already seen a high number of cases this year, with more than 100 fraud incidents reported in Guelph during January and February alone. Authorities estimate that only 5% to 10% of victims actually report these crimes, which means the total money lost in the community is likely much higher than official records show.
Recent local examples show how quickly these scams can cost residents their savings. A woman in her 20s lost approximately $50,000 after clicking a link in a fake bank email, and a woman in her 70s lost over $5,000 after getting a text message from a person she thought was her son. Across the country, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that Canadians lost over $704 million to various scams in 2025.
According to the Competition Bureau, investment fraud caused the most financial damage last year, while identity fraud was the most common type of scam. Police say that reporting every incident helps them identify new tactics and work with other agencies to stop large-scale schemes before more people lose money.
Residents who encounter a scam should contact the national reporting hotline at 1-888-495-8501. If a resident has lost more than $25,000 to a scammer, they should call the local police non-emergency line at 519-824-1212. Anonymous tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington.
