Fraud fatigue: Have you caught it?

# What fraud fatigue looks like

Canadians are showing signs of "fraud fatigue": repeated exposure to scams has produced numbness and exhaustion. In Equifax Canada's February 2026 fraud survey, more than a quarter of respondents said they simply delete suspicious messages without taking further steps. The survey also found that 28% described fraud attempts as a "manageable annoyance," 16% said they felt "anxious and tired," and 5% reported being "completely burnt out."

Julie Kuzmic, Head of Consumer Advocacy and Compliance for Equifax Canada, says frequent exposure and growing scam sophistication are lowering vigilance even though the risks remain real.

# Why scams keep shifting

This constant change contributes to fatigue. If people believe scams are unavoidable or that fraudsters will always be a step ahead, they may delay password changes, skip account reviews, or ignore alerts.

# Clear red flags you should never ignore

Not every message needs a deep investigation. But the following signals warrant action:

• Unexpected credit inquiries on your file
• Alerts about changes to your credit report

• Password reset notices you did not request
• Messages that claim urgent payment is required or that threaten account suspension

If you see any of these, don't assume it's routine. Treat them as prompts to verify directly with the company involved using contact details you find independently, not those provided in the suspicious message.

# Practical protections that don't demand constant vigilance

You can reduce risk without living in a state of high alert.

• Pause before responding. Ask whether something about the message feels off and avoid reacting to manufactured urgency.
• Use stronger access controls: long, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication or biometrics for sensitive accounts and devices.
• Turn on fraud and transaction alerts for your bank and credit card accounts so you get notified of unusual activity quickly.
• Keep basic digital hygiene current: install security updates and change passwords after confirmed breaches that affect organizations you use.
• If someone you know has had their information compromised, check whether your details overlap and respond accordingly.

# The consequence of letting down your guard

Fraud fatigue weakens defenses and increases the likelihood of becoming a victim. The article stresses that even though many people feel desensitized, the threat is active and evolving. Remaining selective about what you ignore, and maintaining a few robust safety habits, reduces exposure while limiting the time and anxiety you spend on prevention.

# Bottom line

Scammers are persistent and increasingly sophisticated, but you don't have to respond to every suspicious contact with full-scale vigilance. Watch for the concrete red flags, apply a few reliable protections once, and rely on alerts and authentication to protect you on days when you're tired or distracted.