Cashier Fraud and Counterfeit Prevention 2026
This course is for cashiers, retail and hospitality staff who take payments in Canada. It covers checking polymer bank notes, what to do with a suspect note, cash and rounding rules, card and gift card scams, and how to report fraud.
Respuesta rápida
Este curso gratuito tiene unos 30 minutos de lecciones y un test de 25 preguntas. Con un 80 % o más puedes descargar un certificado de finalización (privado, no acreditado). Contrastado con fuentes oficiales el 13 de octubre de 2026.
Qué aprenderás
- Check polymer bank notes with the feel, look, tilt and flip method
- Handle a suspected counterfeit safely and courteously
- Apply legal tender, coin and cash rounding rules at the till
- Recognize card-not-present fraud and gift card scams aimed at staff
- Spot quick change and refund scams
- Report fraud to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Obtén un 80 % o más para descargar tu certificado.
-
Pregunta 1 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. The portrait, large number and "Bank of Canada"
The Bank of Canada says the portrait, the large number and the words "Bank of Canada" on the front are raised.
-
Pregunta 2 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Match the large portrait on the front
The metallic portrait in the large window should match the large portrait on the front of the note.
-
Pregunta 3 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. The metallic portrait and holograms change colour
The Bank of Canada's "tilt" check: the metallic portrait and other holographic features should change colour on both sides.
-
Pregunta 4 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. The front's metallic images, in the same colours
On the vertical $10, the metallic elements on the front should repeat on the back in the same colours and detail.
-
Pregunta 5 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. All notes, large and small
The Bank of Canada says to check all notes, large and small, not just the ones that look unusual.
-
Pregunta 6 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Make sure you are not at risk
The Bank's first step for retailers is to assess the situation to make sure you are not at risk. Your safety comes before the note.
-
Pregunta 7 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Politely refuse it, explain why and ask for another note
Politely refuse the note, explain that you suspect it may be counterfeit, ask for another note and check that one too.
-
Pregunta 8 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. The person may be an innocent victim
Be courteous: the person holding the note could be an innocent victim who received it somewhere else.
-
Pregunta 9 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Give it to the local police
Give a suspected counterfeit found after a sale to the local police. If it turns out to be genuine, you get it back.
-
Pregunta 10 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. No, whoever accepts it takes the loss
The Bank of Canada says whoever accepts a counterfeit, knowingly or not, bears the loss. There is no reimbursement.
-
Pregunta 11 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. As counterfeit, so do not accept it
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns that novelty and prop notes are treated as counterfeit under Canadian law and often lack security features.
-
Pregunta 12 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. 14 years
Section 452 makes uttering or using counterfeit money an indictable offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
-
Pregunta 13 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. No, a business can choose how it is paid
The Bank of Canada says there is no law that requires anyone to accept cash. Businesses can choose how they want to be paid.
-
Pregunta 14 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. It is no longer legal tender, but a bank will redeem it
Since January 1, 2021, the $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 notes are no longer legal tender. They keep their face value and can be redeemed through a financial institution or the Bank of Canada.
-
Pregunta 15 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. $25
Section 8 of the Currency Act limits a payment in $1 coins to $25. A business may still choose to accept more.
-
Pregunta 16 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. $7.45
Cash totals are rounded to the nearest five cents: amounts ending in 3 or 4 cents round up to 5 cents.
-
Pregunta 17 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. $12.98
Rounding applies only to cash. Debit, credit and cheque payments are charged the exact amount.
-
Pregunta 18 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Let them enter it privately and do not look
Under the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services, cardholders must keep their PIN secure and tell it to no one. Staff should never ask for it or watch it being typed.
-
Pregunta 19 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. A known scam called a head office spoof
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes the head office spoof: a fraudster posing as head office asks staff to activate prepaid cards and give them the details.
-
Pregunta 20 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Check with the manager using the work directory
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre advises checking unusual requests by looking up the person in your work directory and contacting them directly.
-
Pregunta 21 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Stolen card users want the goods before the owner notices
In card-not-present fraud, criminals order with stolen cards and ask for rush shipping. When the real cardholder disputes it, the business must pay back the charge.
-
Pregunta 22 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. A way to turn a stolen card into cash
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns about this overcharge trick, which lets fraudsters turn stolen credit cards into cash.
-
Pregunta 23 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. A quick change scam
In a quick change scam, the person pays for a cheap item with a large bill and asks to swap money during the change-making to confuse the cashier into giving too much.
-
Pregunta 24 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. To deter fraud, such as returning stolen goods
The federal privacy office notes that retailers ask for ID on returns without a receipt to help confirm the return is legitimate and deter fraud, such as stolen goods being returned.
-
Pregunta 25 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. The local police
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says fraud victims should contact their local police as soon as possible, and also report the fraud to the Centre.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Intro para la siguiente pregunta.
Qué debes saber antes del examen
- Whoever accepts a counterfeit note, knowingly or not, takes the loss; there is no reimbursement.
- The Bank of Canada advises staff to politely refuse a suspect note, ask for another and inform local police.
- The $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 notes stopped being legal tender on January 1, 2021, but keep their face value.
- Cash totals are rounded to the nearest 5 cents after tax; debit, credit and cheque payments are not rounded.
- Fraud victims should contact local police and also report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online.
Preguntas frecuentes
What should I do if a customer gives me a fake bill?
Make sure you are safe, then politely refuse it, explain why and ask for another note. Suggest the person check it with police, and tell your local police about it.
Does a store have to accept cash?
No. The Bank of Canada says no law requires anyone to accept cash, so each business decides how it takes payment.
How do I round a cash total?
Round the final total after tax to the nearest 5 cents: 1 or 2 cents round down, 3 or 4 round up to 5, 6 or 7 round down to 5, and 8 or 9 round up. Card payments are not rounded.
Head office called and asked me to activate gift cards. Is that normal?
No. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns this is a common scam. Hang up, check with your manager using contact details from your work directory, and do not give out any card numbers.
¿El certificado está acreditado o reconocido oficialmente?
No. Es un certificado de finalización privado, solo para tus conocimientos. No está reconocido, acreditado ni aprobado por ningún gobierno, organismo de licencias, regulador ni institución educativa, y no sustituye ninguna licencia, certificación ni formación exigida por la ley.
Fuentes
- Bank of Canada: Counterfeit prevention
- Bank of Canada: Resources for retailers
- Bank of Canada: About legal tender
- Currency Act, section 8
- Canada Revenue Agency: Phasing out of the penny
- Criminal Code, section 452
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Spear phishing and head office spoofs
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Report fraud