Question 1

What is the "Third-Party Fake Hiking Booking Platform" scam in Banff?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulent websites with professional designs mimic legitimate Banff adventure companies and collect full upfront payment for guided hikes or canyoning tours that do not exist. The sites vanish or become unreachable after payment is processed. Fraudulent sites are often less than a few months old. Book only through operators whose physical address in Banff you can verify and who have reviews on TripAdvisor or Google going back multiple years. Check the domain registration date of any unfamiliar booking site. Use a credit card so you can initiate a chargeback if needed.

Question 2

What is the "Phishing Emails Mimicking Parks Canada Passes" scam in Banff?

Accepted Answer

Scam emails and social-media ads impersonate Parks Canada's Discovery Pass program, directing Banff-bound travelers to fake look-alike websites where they enter payment details to "pre-purchase" park entry passes at a discount. The official Parks Canada Discovery Pass is sold only at park gates, the Banff Visitor Centre, or through the verified canada.ca online store — not via third-party email campaigns or social ads. Buy the Parks Canada Discovery Pass exclusively at official park gates, the Banff or Lake Louise Visitor Centres, or canada.ca. If a link in an email or ad does not lead directly to canada.ca, do not enter payment information.

Online Scams in Banff

Third-Party Fake Hiking Booking Platform

Phishing Emails Mimicking Parks Canada Passes

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