CSA Scam Alert: Fake “investment groups” target unsuspecting investors
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) issued an urgent warning to investors regarding a surge in “ramp-and-dump” stock scams. Orchestrated through fraudulent investment groups on social media and encrypted private messaging apps like WhatsApp, Discord, and Telegram, these schemes actively target unsuspecting individuals. A modern variation of the classic “pump-and-dump,” a ramp-and-dump scheme involves bad actors […]
The Trap of Past Performance
Have you ever been tempted to invest in a stock just because of its past performance? It’s a natural instinct, but relying on it can be risky. Markets are cyclical; what soared yesterday might stumble today.
Starting Out on the Right Track
A wedding day marks the beginning of an exciting journey, but couples often overlook their financial future. As you start this new chapter together, it’s essential to discuss your goals and dreams, incorporating them into a solid financial strategy.
Bridging Retirement Income Gaps
What happens if you retire early? Retiring before age 60 or 65 may create an income gap, especially with Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits starting later.
Five Habits Draining Your Finances
Are you earning well but feeling financially strained? You may be falling into traps that drain your finances. Discover how saying “no” can help you keep your hard-earned money.
It Doesn’t Pay to Procrastinate
Many people struggle with retirement planning and often wait for life events to take action. Despite clear steps like recording expenses and saving, few Canadians follow through. A recent survey revealed that couples frequently disagree about their retirement plans.
Tax Planning for Severance Packages
Navigating severance packages can be daunting, especially in today’s unpredictable job market. With the right tax planning strategies, you can maximize your severance pay and retain more of your money.
CRA Scam Alert: Tax Refund Text Messages
Scammers are increasingly impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to steal money and personal information, but knowing their tactics is your best defense. One of the most prevalent new methods involves fraudulent text messages. These notifications falsely promise a tax refund and include a deceptive e-transfer link. The CRA wants Canadians to know that they […]
“Free” iPad Scam Leaves Rogers Victims with Debt
A sophisticated phone scam is leaving Rogers customers responsible for thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. Scammers pose as Rogers employees, calling victims with offers for discounted phone plans and a “free” iPad. The fraudsters then use the victim’s details to sign them up for a legitimate two-year iPad financing and data plan. Once the […]
Protect Your Wealth From Inflation
Have you ever stopped to think about the sneaky little dance happening in your wallet every single day? It’s a constant tango between inflation and purchasing power. Understanding purchasing power is crucial for achieving true financial independence.
Group Insurance Will Look After Me, Won’t It?
Many people assume their employer’s group coverage will meet their needs. However, as Sally, Peter, and Steve found out, relying solely on it can lead to serious issues. From inadequate life insurance to denied disability claims, group plans can be unpredictable.
Make Your Retirement Savings Go the Distance
Are you prepared to make your retirement savings last? With longer life expectancies, it’s vital to rethink your investment management. The traditional approach of shifting everything to fixed-income options may not be effective.
June 2026 – 02
The Top 3 Scams Costing Canadians Millions
If it feels like everyone you know has received a suspicious text or a weird phone call lately, you’re not imagining things. Fraud is booming in Canada. Back in 2020, Canadians lost around $165 million to scammers. Fast forward to 2025, and that number skyrocketed to a staggering $705 million. Scammers are treating fraud like […]
Financial Success Strategy for Small Business Owners
Business owners have to contend with many facets of financial management, business accounting, cash-flow management, and capital acquisition. The one area of financial management that often goes unheeded or is placed on the back-burner is their personal financial strategy, yet it is the one aspect of a business owner’s financial picture that, if not soundly […]
How Much Will I Need to Retire?
Good question. Many retirement income planning tools use a percentage of income to determine an income need in retirement and then calculate an amount needed to provide that income. People with similar incomes often have different spending and lifestyle habits. This can affect their income needs in retirement. It is still important to calculate what […]
Warning: FIFA World Cup™ themed frauds
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and their policing partners are warning the public to be vigilant against scams related to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™. As Canada prepares to host matches, authorities warn that fraudsters are exploiting the high demand by selling counterfeit or duplicate tickets, advertising non-existent short-term […]
Toronto police warn about rise of scams using AI
Toronto police are warning the public about a dramatic surge in AI-powered scams over the past six months. Detective David Coffey of the financial crimes unit reports that while the types of scams—such as romance or impersonation fraud—remain the same, artificial intelligence has made them far more convincing and targeted. Fraudsters now use AI to […]
Friend’s investment tip cost him $180K
Investment fraud is a growing crisis in Canada, with victims losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Today’s scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods, utilizing artificial intelligence and fake online dashboards to create an illusion of legitimacy. Often, these schemes begin via a social media connection. To protect your savings, watch for major red flags: promises […]
Ontario Woman Scammed by Roofing Job
An Etobicoke, Ontario woman, Colleen McMichael, lost nearly $50,000 in a door-to-door roofing scam. The ordeal began in late January when two men offered to clear ice and snow from her eavestroughs for $50. After briefly going onto her roof, they falsely claimed it was in a disastrous state, citing holes, mould, rotting wood, and […]
Be Prepared For Emergencies & Opportunities
Randy worked for a small business. When the owner died suddenly, the business accounts were frozen and it took several weeks before they could be accessed to meet payroll. Randy had trouble meeting his financial obligations and had to find a new job. Jane worked at a small company for many years. When the owner […]
How to Benefit from Being Charitable
Charities play a vital role in our society. The Canadian government recognizes this role and tax breaks exist to encourage taxpayers to give to their favorite charities. Roger makes occasional donations to various charities. His donations are rather small and amount to only a few hundred dollars per year. He learned that he might get […]
How Important is it to Have a Will?
Most Canadians want to pass their life savings on to their heirs. The assets remaining once retirement needs are met will be distributed more effectively if there is a properly prepared will detailing the deceased’s wishes. Many people mistakenly believe that this issue is far in the future. Preparation of a valid will and its […]
Compromised laptop resulted in $174,000 theft
CBC News reported the devastating impact of a digital banking scam on a Manitoba couple, Linda and Rudy Klassen. In mid-2024, their compromised home computer allowed fraudsters to deposit bogus cheques and illegally transfer funds. While Access Credit Union forgave an initial $100,000 loss, a subsequent breach at Steinbach Credit Union left the couple’s account […]
Money Mule Scam
A British Columbia man unknowingly became an illegal “money mule” after accepting an unsolicited courier job that required picking up cash from residents’ homes. In reality, he was collecting money for a fraudster operating a “grandparent scam.” This scam tricks vulnerable seniors into handing over cash by falsely claiming a relative is in jail and […]
Utility imposters targeting customers with fake bills
Utility companies are warning Canadians about a surge in “utility imposter” scams, where fraudsters pose as service providers to steal money and personal information. According to the article, reports of such fraud increased by 50% for Toronto Hydro in 2024. Scammers typically use high-pressure tactics, such as threatening immediate service disconnection during extreme weather to […]
Getting Serious About Savings & Investing
We are now well into 2026 and your New Year’s Resolution about managing your money better may have already been forgotten. As the late Sir John Templeton famously stated, the best time to invest is when you have money! The challenge for most people – with many people just struggling to make ends meet – […]
Get It When You Can
You know, we often hear those sad stories: a family loses everything in a house fire, and they didn’t have fire insurance. It’s easy to think, “That could never happen to me,” but the truth is, disasters don’t pick favorites. Insurance isn’t about expecting the worst — it’s a smart, affordable way to protect yourself […]
Government Benefits Can Boost Retirement Income
You might be surprised to learn that every year, thousands of Canadian seniors miss out on government benefits they’re entitled to—sometimes worth thousands of dollars a year. According to recent reports from Service Canada, more than 100,000 older Canadians still aren’t receiving full benefits from programs like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security […]
Apple Pay Phishing Scam
Fraudsters are targeting Apple users with a carefully constructed campaign. A sophisticated phishing scam is targeting Apple Pay users, leveraging fake “blocked transaction” emails to steal personal data. The article, originally from Macworld, details how fraudsters send official-looking emails claiming a high-value purchase was blocked due to suspicious activity. These emails use official branding and […]