Is Toronto Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Callers claim to be from the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, or the Canada Border Services Agency and tell victims they owe back taxes or face immediate arrest. Scammers create urgency by threatening police action or deportation, then demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre identifies this as one of the highest-loss scam types targeting visitors and new arrivals in Canada.

How to avoid: The CRA never demands immediate payment by phone, threatens arrest, or asks for gift cards. Hang up immediately — do not engage. If concerned, call the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 to verify any genuine outstanding amounts.

Where: Calls can originate anywhere but predominantly target visitors staying in hotels in downtown Toronto, around University Ave and Bay St; new arrivals at Toronto Pearson International Airport who have recently entered Canada; and temporary accommodation areas near Dundas Square

Fraudulent listings on rental platforms advertise non-existent condos in desirable Toronto neighborhoods. After payment, victims arrive to find no such property exists.

How to avoid: Stick to verified Airbnb Superhost listings with substantial reviews. Never wire transfer money or pay outside the platform. Video-call hosts before booking.

Where: Kijiji and Airbnb listings for properties near the CN Tower on Front St W, Distillery District on Cherry St, and Kensington Market near College and Spadina; short-term rental listings around the Rogers Centre and Scotiabank Arena

Toronto police confirmed in February 2026 that AI-powered scams surged dramatically in the preceding six months, with fraudsters using voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members, bank representatives, or employers. Victims receive calls that sound exactly like a relative in distress asking for emergency money transfers, or a bank security agent warning of account compromise. Losses in Toronto reached $433 million in 2025, a 17 percent increase year-over-year, largely attributed to AI-enabled fraud.

How to avoid: Establish a family code word that only genuine relatives know, and use it to verify any urgent money request by phone. Call the person back on a number you already have stored rather than one provided by the caller. Never transfer money based solely on a phone call, regardless of how familiar the voice sounds.

Where: Calls target people across Toronto and are not geographically limited; tourists are most vulnerable in hotel rooms along Front St W, the Entertainment District, and Yorkville where they may be separated from their normal support network

Skimming devices are installed on standalone ATMs inside corner convenience stores and gas stations in tourist-heavy neighborhoods like Kensington and Chinatown.

How to avoid: Use ATMs inside major bank branches only. Wiggle the card slot before inserting — skimmers are often loosely attached. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Where: Convenience store ATMs along Yonge St between Bloor and Dundas; independent ATMs inside gas stations and variety stores in Kensington Market and along Spadina Ave; tourist-facing ATMs near the CN Tower and Harbourfront Centre