{"id":89693,"date":"2026-03-25T13:46:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&p=89693"},"modified":"2026-03-25T14:32:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:32:59","slug":"investment-and-crypto-scams-6-ways-to-protect-your-savings","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/cyber-security\/understanding-cyber-security\/investment-and-crypto-scams-6-ways-to-protect-your-savings\/","title":{"rendered":"Investment and Crypto Scams: 6 Ways to Protect Your Savings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In recent years, people around the world have been faced with inflation, stressed bank balances and shrinking retirement funds. So, if you are promised an easy way to boost profits through a new investment, the appeal is hard to resist. Unfortunately, investment and crypto scams can drain your savings, instead of growing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s digital environment is the perfect setting for investment and crypto scams. The internet makes it easy to connect with potential investors, online payment apps are increasingly popular and financial advice and information \u2013 including misinformation \u2013 is everywhere.  It is no surprise that financial crime is growing. In 2025, 48 percent<\/a> of adults worldwide were impacted by an investment scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid being a victim of investment and crypto scams. Here are 6 ways to protect yourself and your savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be mindful of the promise of high or quick returns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While investment fraud, including cryptocurrency fraud, can take many forms, they have one thing in common: they promise fast cash or high returns. If an investment claims to deliver unrealistically high profits in a short amount of time, it is likely a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be skeptical of \u201cno risk\u201d promises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another giveaway of investment scams is the promise of no risk to you as the investor.  There is no such thing as a no risk investment \u2013 so it is best to stay away. Remember, if something sounds too-good-to-be-true, it probably is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beware of unsolicited contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Investment scams are often tied to romance scams, where an online connection presents an \u201cexciting investment opportunity.\u201d If you are dating online, and a romantic interest suddenly presents you with an investment opportunity, chances are you are dealing with a scammer. A good rule of thumb is to avoid mixing online dating with online investing advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other instances, investment scams start with an email, text or message via social media channels about a great investment opportunity. Typically, these messages come out of the blue from someone you do not know, a new \u201cfriend\u201d you have recently made online or a \u201cfriend\u201d you have not heard from in years. Scammers often share testimonials of fake customers or fake screenshots of a portfolio to make their scam more convincing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be wary of investing with a third party<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whenever and wherever you invest, you want to have direct access to your investment account so you can track your balance and the performance of your assets. Investing via a third party removes this level of control and can be a warning sign that the investment is not legitimate. It is important to note that there is no such thing as a crypto-investment broker in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the time to do your research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many investment scams are successful because they pressure the investor into acting with urgency, citing a \u201cnow or never opportunity\u201d that is related to current events or market performance. Legitimate companies will let you take the time to research the opportunity before investing any money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you come across an interesting investment opportunity that does look legitimate, here is how you can research the firm and\/or the advisor that is involved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Canada<\/h4>\n\n\n\n