No investment is risk free; some investments carry much higher risk of loss than others. If an investment performs poorly, it can be a significant source of stress for an investor. And if you have lost a substantial amount of money due to fraud or a poorly performing investment, it can be devastating. It is important to remember that anybody can be victim of fraud and there are places you can turn to for support.
On this page you’ll find
Use these websites and tools to begin finding answers to your questions and to connect with community supports.
In case of an emergency, call 911.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.
Anti-Fraud/Consumer Protection Resources
| Ontario Securities Commission 1-877-785-1555 email: inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca | The Ontario Securities Commission has many important fraud prevention and investor protection resources including: Check before you invest – always check the registration of any person or business trying to sell you an investment or give you financial advice. Learn how to check registration, the signs of fraud and see investor warnings and alerts. GetSmarterAboutMoney – the OSC’s popular investor education website has many articles, videos and tools to help you spot and avoid fraud. You can also learn how to make a complaint to get your money back if you believe you lost money due to a service or advice you received from your investment firm. |
| Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments 1-888-451-4519 | A free and independent service that resolves disputes between participating banking services and financial firms, and their customers. |
| Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization | Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is the national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and trading activity on Canada’s debt and equity marketplaces. Know your advisor: Advisor Report has information on investment advisors regulated by CIRO and you can also Search Disciplinary Cases for details about enforcement action. |
| SEDAR+ | SEDAR+ is the new, secure web-based system used by all market participants to file, disclose and search for information in Canada’s capital markets. To see people and companies under disciplinary action, look at the Disciplined list. To see people and companies restricted from trading securities, look at Cease Trade Orders |
| Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501 | Receives complaints about identity theft, fraud and scams via phone, Internet or mail, and provides information on frauds and scams and consumer protection. What to do if you’re a victim of fraud – A detailed online guide for victims of identity theft or identity fraud. |
| Competition Bureau of Canada | The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. The Little Black Book of Scams – An online booklet that outlines the most common types of scams and contact information of fraud-fighting agencies. |
| Consumer Protection Ontario 1-800‑889‑9768 | Provides advice and information regarding consumer rights and mediates written complaints between consumers and businesses. |
| Financial Consumer Agency of Canada 1-866-461-3222 | Provides information and tools to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities when dealing with financial institutions and to increase financial knowledge and skills. |
| Ontario Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 | Receives anonymous tips about crime or suspicious behaviour. |
| Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Scams and Fraud) | General information for victims of scams and fraud. |
| Toronto Police Service Divisional Policing Support Unit 416-808-0130 | A non-emergency police phone line that receives reports of elder abuse. |
Health and Mental Health Resources
In case of an emergency, call 911
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.
| Alzheimer Society of Ontario | Provides information, resources, education and support for people with dementia and their families and caregivers. |
| Circle of Care 416-635-2860 | Not-for-profit home care provider in the Greater Toronto Area, helping individuals live independently at home. |
| Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario 1-888-HSF-INFO | Provides information about heart disease and stroke. |
| Home and Community Care 310-2222 | A referral resource that connects you with health care services at home or in the community, as well as supported living programs and long-term care. |
| Parkinson Canada 1-800-565-3000 | Provides information and support services for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families and caregivers. |
| Patient Ombudsman 1-888-321-0339 | Receives, investigates and attempts to resolve complaints related to Ontario’s hospitals, long-term care homes, and home and community care coordinated by the LHIN. |
| Seniors and Caregivers Support Service Unit, Family Service Toronto 416-595-9230 ext. 0 | Provides social work services to seniors and their caretakers, including counselling, advocacy and educational sessions. |
Crisis Support
In case of an emergency, call 911
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.
| Seniors Safety Line 1-866-299-1011 | A free 24/7 helpline that provides information, referrals and support to seniors who are being abused or are at risk of elder abuse. Services available in 200 languages. |
| Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario | Provincial organization focused on elder abuse prevention in the province that provides education, training, resource development and information about the increasingly complex issues of elder abuse. |
| Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321 | A free helpline that provides information and counselling to Chinese seniors who are being abused or are at risk of elder abuse. |
| Red Door Family Shelter 416-423-0310 | Emergency shelter in Toronto for women and children fleeing violence, including elderly women. |
| Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0007 | A free 24/7 helpline that provides medical advice and information from registered nurses. |
| Toronto Distress Centre 416-408-4357 or 408-HELP | A free 24/7 helpline for individuals experiencing emotional distress, marginalization, social isolation and/or who may require crisis intervention. |
| Toronto Seniors Helpline 416-217-2077 | A free helpline for seniors and their caregivers that provides information and access to community, home and crisis services. |
| Victim Support Line 1-888-579-2888 | A free 24/7 helpline for victims of crime that provides information and access to services. |
Legal Resources
| Advocacy Centre for the Elderly | A community legal clinic that provides free legal services to low-income seniors aged 60+ who live in the GTA. |
| Investor Protection Clinic, Osgoode Hall Law School 416-736-5538 | A free legal clinic that provides advice to people who believe their investments have been mishandled and who cannot afford a lawyer. |
| JusticeNet 1-866-919-3219 | An online and telephone referral service that connects low- and middle-income individuals with lawyers and paralegals providing legal services at reduced rates. |
| Law Society Referral Service 1-855-947-5255 | An online referral service that connects individuals with up to 30 minutes of free consultation with a lawyer or paralegal. Telephone referrals are also available for those in crisis or without an Internet connection. |
| Legal Aid Ontario 1-800-668-8258 | Provides free legal services for low-income individuals in areas including domestic violence, family law, criminal law, and tenant/landlord issues. |
| Pro Bono Ontario 1-855-255-7256 | A free helpline that provides up to 30 minutes of free legal advice and assistance in areas including of going to court (civil matters only), employment, housing, consumer issues and creating Powers of Attorney. |
Community and Social Services
| 211 Ontario 211 or 1-877-330-3213 | A free 24/7 helpline that provides information and referrals to community and social services in Ontario. |
| Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association Toronto Downtown Central 416-585-2013 | Provides a full range of community services to seniors in Toronto, including an adult day program, home care, chronic disease management, counselling support, supportive housing, and elder abuse resources. |
| Government of Canada Programs and Services for Seniors | Provides information on programs and services for seniors in Canada, including managing your money, fraud prevention, your health, and pension benefits |
| Loft Community Services 416-979-1994 | Provides specialized, community-based housing and support services to vulnerable and at-risk seniors including assisted living, psychogeriatric case management and community re-integration services. |
| Long-term Home Care ACTION Line 1-866-434-0144 | Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care helpline that receives complaints against long-term care homes. |
| Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility | Provides information on resources available for seniors in Ontario, including tax credits, health, managing finances and staying safe. |
| Older Adult Centre, West Neighborhood House Toronto Downtown West 416-532-4828 | Provides programs for seniors aged 55+ in Toronto, including the Alzheimer Day Program and Frail Elderly Day Program, case management, homesupport, meals on wheels, transportation, and community development programs. |
| SPRINT Senior Care 416-481-6411 | Community support agency in Toronto that provides a range of low-cost services to seniors and caregivers, including day programs, home care, meals on wheels, transportation and recreational activities. |
| Telecheck Seniors Program 289-569-1201 | A free program in the Peel Region that provides ongoing telephone supportfor isolated seniors aged 55+, including medication reminders, safety check-ins and social calls. |
| WoodGreen Community Services Toronto Downtown East 416-572-3575 | Provides a range of community services to seniors in Toronto, including assisted living services, day programs, community exercise, meals on wheels, transportation, and respite care. |
Mental Incapacity Resources
| Consent and Capacity Board 1-866-777-7391 | An independent tribunal that holds hearings to determine individuals’ capacity to make decisions with respect to medical treatment, admission to a care facility, and managing property. |
| Ministry of the Attorney General | Power of Attorney Kit – An online resource containing instructions and forms for designating a power of attorney for property and/or personal care. |
| Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee 1-800-366-0335 | Provides services to mentally incapable adults, including conducting investigations, managing finances, making decisions about personal care, appointing private guardians of property and arranging legal representation for capacity proceedings. |
