Glossary for Scams to Avoid

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by People's Law School in March 2017.

Catphishing

When someone assumes a fake identity to lure another person into an emotional or romantic relationship with them, so they can trick them out of their money.   

Consumer

A person who buys goods or services.

Contract

A legally recognized agreement made between two or more people.

Credit

The ability to obtain money or value based on trust that payment will be made in the future.

Credit report

A detailed list of a person’s credit and bill-paying history, and other information about them.

Credit score

A number that expresses the information in a person’s credit report at one point in time. The score indicates the risk the person represents for lenders, compared with other people, on a scale from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the lower the risk for lenders.

Creditor

A person or company to whom another person owes money or an obligation.

Debt

A sum of money or an obligation owed by one person to another.

Fraud

To intentionally deceive someone in order to gain an unfair or illegal advantage.

Identity theft

When someone takes personal information and uses it to access that person’s finances, make purchases in their name, or commit other crimes.

Malware

Software used to disrupt use of a computer or other device or gain access to sensitive information on the device.

Phishing

When someone sends a fake email or text to trick a person into handing over personal and financial information. Their message is being used as bait to “fish” for victims.

Scam

An illegal or dishonest scheme to trick people out of their money.

Spam

Email that is not wanted.

Spyware

Malicious software installed on a device without the owner realizing it.  

Virus

A harmful software program.

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