Section outline

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    Scam Smarts

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    • Scam Smarts

      Scam Smarts

      Can you outsmart these scams? Pick a module and test what you know with real-world scenarios.

      3 modules | No login needed | 30 minutes or less per module
      Teaching with Scam Smarts? Teacher guide and resources

      Choose a module

      Finished a module? Tell us what you thought in the student survey (opens in a new tab).

      For educators and families

      Review the accompanying Teacher Guide to learn tips for using these modules effectively with your students to maximize the learning experience.

      If you are a parent looking to complete the learning modules with your child, you may wish to reference the Teacher Guide.

      Scam Smarts Teacher Guide

      PDF, 10 pages

      Open the teacher guide (PDF)

      More surveys

      Learning Objectives

      Module 1: Phishing Scams

      • Recognize common signs of phishing scams.
      • Evaluate the legitimacy of text messages and emails.
      • Identify potential risks of phishing scams.
      • Use preventative measures to improve online safety when receiving digital messages and requests.

      Module 2: Website Scams

      • Recognize common signs of website scams.
      • Evaluate the legitimacy of websites.
      • Identify potential risks of website scams.
      • Use preventative measures to improve online safety when accessing and using websites.

      Module 3: Social Media Scams

      • Recognize common signs of social media scams.
      • Evaluate the legitimacy of online profiles, connections and relationships.
      • Identify potential risks of social media scams.
      • Use preventative measures to improve online safety when using social media.
      About the Series

      Welcome to the Scam Smarts series! Through engaging, real-world scenarios and guided discussion questions, youth can put their scam smarts to the test while empowering themselves with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.

      Scammers are clever and often tailor their schemes to fit specific situations. The scenarios provided aim to assist youth across various Canadian communities, including rural, Indigenous, and urban areas.

      Between January and June 2024, over 41,000 cybercrimes were reported in Canada, with 56% involving fraud. This indicates a significant risk for youth who may not be fully aware of how to protect themselves online.

      Source: Bush, O. (2025, January 7). Cyber Crime Statistics in Canada. Made in Canada.

      Keep learning

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      Bring this to your classroom

      For educators
      Dollars with Sense
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      Dollars with Sense

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      Practise managing money, from ways to pay and the cost of credit to online safety, project budgets, and options for saving or investing.

      Thanks to the support of

      Net Good by CIRA