Destinations › Canada › Toronto › Scams
Toronto, Canada
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Toronto, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Two people work together — one poses as an undercover officer accusing a tourist of carrying counterfeit money or drugs, then swaps the wallet's contents for fake bills during the "inspection."
Card skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals in busy tourist areas and the airport.
Fake hotel listings at reduced prices on booking sites lead to a closed business or empty lot on arrival.
Messages or calls impersonating a government agency (immigration, tax, border services) pressure tourists into sharing personal or financial information.
Outdated or tampered meters charge inflated prices, particularly at the airport or cruise terminal; a two-person setup (fake stranded passenger + fake driver) has also been reported.
Resale sites and street sellers near major venues offering event tickets that turn out to be counterfeit or already used.
Short-term rental listings copied from real properties and rented out fraudulently ("phantom rentals"), with no property actually available on arrival.
Confusing change schemes mixing bills, coins, and currencies to shortchange tourists, plus occasional counterfeit bills passed as change.
Team pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and on public transit — one distracts while another steals.
Fake charity clipboard approach near tourist areas, sometimes paired with a distraction attempt.
