Investment and cryptocurrency scams posed the greatest risk to Canadians among scam categories tracked by the Better Business Bureau last year, according to the organization’s latest Scam Tracker Risk Report.
According to the report more than 80 per cent of Canadians targeted by investment or cryptocurrency scams reported losing money.
Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, president and CEO of BBB Alberta and East Kootenay, said Canadians are losing millions of dollars to investment and cryptocurrency fraud each year.
“Unfortunately scams have become ubiquitous so a report such as the Scam Tracker Risk Report is so valuable because it highlights the current fraud landscape in Canada,” O’Sullivan-Andersen said.
Investment and cryptocurrency scams had the highest overall risk ranking among the categories reported in Canada in 2025. Home improvement scams placed second, followed by employment scams.
Investment and cryptocurrency scams had an 80.8 per cent susceptibility rate, with a median reported loss of $4,354. Home improvement scams had an 81 per cent susceptibility rate and a median loss of $2,000. Employment scams had a 23.5 per cent susceptibility rate and a median loss of $1,500.
O’Sullivan-Andersen said consumers should be particularly cautious about investment offers promising quick or unusually high returns.
“If you encounter an investment offer that promises huge returns in short order, be very skeptical,” she said. “Do careful research before you ever invest. Scams can happen to anyone. The best way to prevent being scammed is to learn more about them so you won’t fall victim.”
Across Canada the median reported loss was $151 in 2025, a decline from $311 in 2024. At the same time, the share of people who reported losing money after being targeted by a scam increased to 64.9 per cent from 59.5 per cent in 2024.
According to BBB officials the Scam Tracker Risk Report looks at how scams are carried out, who is targeted and which scams have the greatest impact.
